Dodge City times., 1888-04-26
rne TARIFF BILL

cent. on imports. The income tax had been
imposed to meet war expenses. 1t was
a tax on wealth. and the S72, OOo, 600 annu-
ally realized from that source was swept
away.
But the war tax on clothing, on food, on
implements OF labor renamed and the war
was still being prosecuted against the peo-
plea fiscal war exhausting in its de-
mands-and every effort to remove that
taxation had been resisted and defeated.
The Democrats have been taunted with
the charge that they had failed to reduce
taxation. This charge had been made by
the minority which had been guilty OF pre-
venting action on the many bills brought
into the House by the Committee on Ways
and Means. Mr.. Mills turned his attention
to the woolen manufacturers and argued
that the public at large was injured by the
present excessive tax and nobody beue-
fted.
Taking up the case Of Q pair Of blankets.
the tariff exceeded the labor cost OF one
by sl25. Mr.. Mills declared that every
dollar Of the excess was reapcd by the
manufacturer.
Mr.. Grain, OF Texas, interrupted to ask
how the Ways and Means Committee had
treated those blankets.
Mr.. Mills replied that it had reduced the
tariff on the blankets from 81 a to Il cents.
Applause. Continuing ae said that 1t
was asserted that Congress had intended
TO benefit the laborer by the tariff. 1t had
failed and not dollar OF the protection
got beyond the manufacturer. He, how.
ever, hired his labor at the lowest rate in
the open market. The committee had lett
in the bill more than enough pro- 'ection to
H.
Mr. Mills then went into the details OF
the tables, citing flannel bar iron, besse-
mer steel, woolen suits anG other articles
as exhibiting cases where the tariff charge
invariably greatly exceeded the labor cost
and where none of the excess got beyond
the manufacturer to help the laborer. This
policy built up palaces and concentrated
wealth, but it distributed not Of its benefi-
cence in the homes Of the poor laborer. It
compelled the Government to take o largo
share Of it's earnings. 1t was making a
vast distinction in this country between
two classes-one poor and numerous-one
small and powerful and rich. The concen-
tration Of the wealth Of the country in the
hands of a few men would overthrow the
free government.
In conclusion the speaker said that he
hoped the bill which the committee had
presented-which had met with favor
throughout the ccuntrv-would receive q
majority of the votes Of the House, though
it was not all the committee could ask. It
was very moderate bill; yet it would
send comfort and happiness into the homes
and bosoms Of the poor lsboring people Of
this country. and he asked the House in
behalf Of these people to consider their
claims and help to reduce the burdens that
had been loaded upon them.
Mr.. Mills spoke about an hour and three
quarters.
Mr.. Kelley, of Pennsylvania, next took tho
floor in opposition 10 the bill He said that
the enactment Of this bill would instantly
paralyze the enterprise and energy OF the
people. Under the baneful influence Of
such law the report of the census Of 1880
would announce the overthrow Of the man.
ufac,urlng supremacy and the reduction Of
the commercial position to that Of colonial
dependence. 1t was studiously desired to
produce these dire results. and nicely
adapted for its purpose. 1t was con-
fessedly q partisan measure and was
framed in the interest OF party
whose leaders appeared to be oblivi-
Gus to the overwhelming social and
econonic changes wrought by the abolition
Of slavery. The gentlemen who framed
this bill and could brook neither moditica.
tion nor discussion of its provisions by
their associates in the committee were,
with but two exceptions, representatives,
OF what was slave territory. The bill was
an anachronism; it had no relation to this
era; it belonged to the saddest epoch in
National history-the period between 1924
and 1865. During that period slavery
dominated our National councils aud guided
the administration Of National AFFAIRS, IN
hostility to National interests, and in tho
interest OF free trade twice threatened
war. 1t was in the interest Of free trado
that war was threatened ia support Of the
doctrine of nullidcatiou, and it was ia the
interest OF free trade that the country was
involved for more than four years in .
fratricidal war. AZ a measure proposed
for future guidance the bill was an an
achronsm and was illustrative Of systems
Of ethics and economic philosophy against
which history had written in blood DEGREES
and that were final None Of its prOvis-
ions were in harmony with the spirit OF the
age.
Its first effect, the speaker declared,
would be to arrest the magnificent develop
ments Of mineral wealth, Of manufacturing
power and Of the ettiversifcations Of agricult-
ure now taking place throughout the
South and to paralyze the organized indus
tries of the North. BY putting wool on the
free lis: it would abolish sheep husbandry,
destroy the immense capital embarked
therein and impov""ish more than million
men who owned fi9cxs or were employed
in their care, and by working this ruin it
world diminish the supply Of cheap and
healthful animal food now furnished by the
wool growers to the mining and manufact-
uring laborcrs Of the country.
In conclusion Mr.. Kelley said: 'The
perpetuatlon Of the internal taxes is the
issue presented to the American people by
the Prcsiden: in his free trade message and
by Southern. gentlemen who have domi-
mated the councils Of the Committee on
Ways and Means and submitted this bill
to the House for consideration. For my.
self, will stand for the protective system
and the maintenance Of such rates OF duties
rs will insure the development Of all the
resources Of the country, increase the
number OF industries and perpetuate
its National Independence, commercial
and industrial, rs well as political"
Held ut New York.
New YORK, April l7.-Eighteen italian
marble cutters reached this port yesterday
on the steamer Rugia from Hamburg. Act
ing on instructions from Collector Magone,
the officials had been watching for these
men for some time, and they were detained
at Castle Garden by Superintendent Jack
son. Tho striking marble-workers of the
Boston firm OF Bowker, Torrey & Co. claim
TINT the men were sent over to this coun-