The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-29

THE HOUSE.
Another Day Of Tariff Speeches.
The Tennessee Members Making
Themselves Heard and Felt.
Breckenridge, of Kentucky, and
Reed, Of Maine, Show Temper.
Why Philadelphia Is Such a Slow
Going Municipality.
No Lack OF Positiveness on the Part of
Anybody" Protecting" q Girl
Another Bridge to Span the
Mississippi at Hickman.


Representatives went to Philadelphia today
and there were but thirty-fve members
present when the House met this morning,
and Immediately went into committee OF
the whole on the tariff.
Mr.. Kerr, of Iowa, approved the reduc-
ton OF the revenues by the abolition Of
|Sthe internal revenue tax. The time had
come, he thought, in the history Of the
American government for the nation TO de-
clare that henceforth il would take no
share in the profits Of the sale Of alcoholic
liquor.
Mr.. Tarsney, OF Michigan, said that he
and gentlemen on this side Of the House
were not free traders; they were fair
traders. They were not seeking to pull
down the custom-houses OF the country.
They proposed to continue custom-houso
taxation, but they would revise existing
laws so as TO bring taxes down TO the base
line OF necessary revenue; and in so re-
vising the laws as TO place the duty highest
on the luxuries Of life and lowest on LIES
necessaries. They wanted simply TO
equalize the burden of taxation. Their
policy was not destruction, but reduction.
He proceeded TO argue that the present
tariff was oppressive upon the farmers
lie was constantly interrupted by his col
league (AIr O'Donnell) with statements as
10 the great prosperity Of agriculture and
manufacturing in Michigan under pro-
tectiye tariff, and the colloquies between
The two gentlemen upon the subject OF the
condition OF Michigan afforded much
amusement 10 the other members present.
The discussion then took q colloquial
turn and the subjects Of free trade, protec-
ton, the wages OF laboring men, the fish
cries, ship building, etc, were touched up
on, and at times the questions and answers
caused great merriment among tho few
members present. Mr.. 0'Neil, OF pennsyl.
vania, said that yesterday morning he had
received a letter from q young lady about
20 graduate, in which she said she had
been designated 10 speak ut her commence.
ment exercises on protection to American
industries. SO that this question even en-
tered into the household of American
families.
Mr.. Richardson, OF Tennessee-Did the
young lady ask you for protechon2
Mr.. Millikcn-If the young lady had
asked you for protection, would you have
been frce-tradcr then2
Mr.. 0'Neil then declared, with empha.
sis, that he was protectionist Of protec-
tionists that he wasa protecionist all over,
declaration which was received with
laughter and applause.
Mr.. Ford, of Michigan, characterized
phtlaIals.lin "a In country vii
lagc and contrasted its slowness with the
busting activity OF other cities. This con.
diiion Of affairs, he said, arose because the
citizens Of Philadelphia had not depended,
M the citizens Of New York had, on their
own enterprise, thrift and irugality, but
had been fed on the public paps.
Mr.. 0Neill suggested that the gentle
man must have been In some remarkable
condition when he visited Philadelphia,
or must have had his eyes closed. The
manufactures Of Philadelphia amounted
20 many more millions than those OF New
York.
MI. Russell. Of Massachusetts,, referring
20 the condition oil the protected State OF
Pennsylvania, stated that affairs in tile
coal regions Of that state were n shame
and scandal 10 human civilization.
Mr.. Bayne declared that the wages paid
ior labor In the county Of Allegheny alone
were annually moro than the entire wages
paid In all the States represented by the
southern contingent on the ways and
means committee.
Mr.. breckenridge said that the concrete
representative Of the protective system was
guard Of Pinkerton detectives at the
Edgar Thomson steel works for the pur-
Jose Of enabling Hungarian immigrants
10 work while American workmcn were
kept out at the point OF the gun. That
Mas q concrete picture OF the state oi wages
b. Allegheny.
II Mr.. Bayne declared that that WIS n mis-
tnke. Detectives were there, but the men
they sought 20 protect were not Hunga-
bans. The llungarians that were there
were not skilled mechanics, and could not
do the work required.
i Mr.. Breckenridge inquired what wages
dc workmen at the Thompson works had
been receiving.
Receiving 50 n day.
Mr.. breckenridge said that the average
pages Of the Pinkerion detectives was =
day. They received that rate Of wages
r. prevent breach Of the peace by men
MILO received 50 a day.
MIR Reed, Of Maine, said that the gen
tleman from kentucky had drawn pic
turc with the American workmcn in the
cod and the Hungarian workman pro
(crted by Pinkerton detectives. The gen
iIeman had pictured that ~ the final result
ofproiection when Il was only an incident
In the great dispute which went on
either under protection or free trade
The gentleman wanted 10 contrast the
wnges Of men temporarily employed with
hose received by permanent employees.
lie Reed thought that Il ought 10 b,
pointed out that such methods OF arguing
bis question OF free trade or protection
eere somewhat petty In their nature
fhe question was what system secured Tho
encatcr wealth 10 the country and th'
kkhest wages 10 the workingmen2 On
1ihesc workinymen had appeared beior'
~ ways and means committee, way
~ means committee better constituted
ID the one in this House, because u la,
beorl the workingnen, and he had beef
akel: DO you get the benefit OF tn
nrin9 DO not your employers try 10 "
Tho benefit from your
lie had replied with perfect franknes
that Is quarrel between Ourselves.