The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-05-23
THE GREAT TARIFF DEBATE.
POWERFUL ARGUMENT FOR REFORM.
The Eloquent Breckenridge of Kentucky
Handles the Rroteetionists without
GlOves-An Eloquent Speech Re-
ceived With Much Applause.


the treasury is concerned and with a statement
of the dangers attendant on the further ae-
emulation of surplus in the treasury He
then went to say that when the committee
on ways and means was announced Jan. D,
it necessarily had to confront this condition of
affairs and attempt 10 frame bill which would
so reduce the revenues of the government as to
bring its legitimate expenses and its revenues
close together; this, too, in such a way as to
reduce the burden OF taxation upon the people.
1t recognized that the revenues could be re-
duced by raising the duties to prohibitory
standard, but this only increased the burdens
of taxation. The repeal of the entire internal
revenue law would also reduce the revenue to
a point where there might be an annual deficit
OF S2OOO0OOO but this deficit could not work
harm for the present as the surplus remaining
on June 80, 1888, would be sufficient 10 comply
with the requirements of the sinking fund un-
I'll 1891, when the as iall due. But no large
section OF the American people really favored
q plan which removed taxation from spirits,
beer and tobacco and left the neeeSsaries of
life burdened.
Rejecting, therefore, the proposition to in
crease the duties for the purpose of reducing
the revenues OF the government and increasing
the revenues of the manufacturers, and the
proposition TO repeal the internal revenue sys-
tenn, the committee attempted to frame bill
which would reduce the revenues by a safe
amount, and would relieve, as far as moder
ate bill could do, the evils of the present I'M
equal system; reform the inequalities of the
present tariff, and promote American indus
tries by giving 10 American labor the hope OF a
permanent, stable and profitable market. ''No
one can appreciate more than we that the bill
reported by us does not answer all the condi-
tons OF to-day; that the relief which ought to
be given has not been granted TO the extent
which the condition of the country and OF la
Dor required"
Referring 10 the criticisms of Mr. Burrows
(Ahch.) upon the committee ON ways and
means, and its manner of framing the bill I'M
der discussion, when he stated that in his criti-
cisns he was violating no secrets of the COM
nlttee room, Nir. Breckenridge denied abso-
lutely the charge that the bill
not formed by the committee. He
went on TO state that every item under
went the scrutiny OF every member of the ma
jority OF the committee and said: at does not
pretend 10 change a system. 1t leaves the av-
erage rates OF duty higher than they were I'M
der the Morrill, tariff, and it is protective tariff
bill. The committee did not believe that il was
its duty TO do more than to propose a moderate
reduction of taxation by increasing the free
list, reducing certain rates, and removing as
Tar as practicable, unnecessary restrictions and
TO make effort to render the administration
OF the law more efficient, TO the protection of
honest importers and the detection and proven
Nlon Ol lIiuu W e 10 not pretend IlaL IL is a
scientific measure. The present law is very
highly protective-in some instances prOhib-
itoTy. lie VINO believes that protection ought
to be the main object and revenue only incl
dental, may find it to his interest to accept so
moderate an offer as is now made: he who
thinks that in raising the revenues such incl
dental protection ought TO be given is prac-
ticable, will find in the provisions OF this propO
sition when he examines them carefully that
his support OF this measure would be consistent
with his opinions, while men of my views, con-
tent with irving to accomplish what is practical
bic and patiently watching this fair experiment
OF reducing taxation and increasing the free
list by putting thereon raw material accept this
practical bill and give our support. 1t is be-
leved that this bill will enable the home man.
ufacturer of wool and other textile fabrics to
so compete with his foreign competitor as to
supply the home market with much of what is
now supplied by importation, and that this will
continue until foreign goods of certain
characters will be entirely driven from
the American market The changes pro-
give to the farmer, by whom all provisions are
raised, market for his breadstuffs and for raw
materials, which is only profitable when he has
a prosperous manufacturer for purchaser; to
the laborer, the hope OF a constant market; and
to the manufacturer freedom from unnecessary
burdens We have, therefore, put upon the
free list as far as we felt it was just, the mater
ials necessary for the manufacturer. We have
reduced the rates, wherever we have touched
them, 10 a point that gives to the home con-
sumner the hope OF fair competition whenever
demand may be made by an internal trust to
advance the prices beyond fair consideration
for the article TO be sold, and yet we have left
the rates so that the protection afforded is
greater than any necessity and makes all COM
petition OF foreign manufactures upon terms
Of great advantage to the American manufac'
turer."
Referring to the internal revenue system he
said that IL was determined, in response to
what seemed 10 be the sentiment OF large
part OF the country. to propose the repeal of
taxes on manufactured tobacco. The belief
was that to exempt fruit brandies and alcohol
used in the arts was indirectly and hypocriti-
cally, but etiectually to destroy the internal
revenue system; and if this is 10 be done il was
preferred TO do it or have il done openly, and
thus fix the responsibility OF 1t upon those who
accomplished il. Those who vote 20 EXEMPT
alcohol thus used will do so with the knowl-
edge that II is vote to destroy the tax on dis.
titled spirits.
'The bill Is before congress; the responsible.
ity OF its preparation is upon rs; the response
bility OF legislation is upon you. No sneers
as 10 its authors; 10 charges however offensive
or discourteous as 20 the manner of its prepare
ton; no abuse OF those who were concerned in
ITS preparation caa remove from you the re-
sponsibility of action or change the issue made
by the bill itself. The surplus continues 20
HIoWs lUt " tHNfle VI ~ dtt uull1 tAuluiN'hi
the schemes without number 10 squander the
public money, TO distribute IL among the states,
10 cultivate habit in the American people of
looking 10 Washington as a great alms-givcr
can be defeated only by your action as to this
bill. Neither your own conscience nor the
country will acquit you it you shirk the rcspon-
Sibiiity and evade the issue under such an ex-
cuse Nor will IL be accepted as any answer
that there was any provision oil any sort In 1he
Confederate constitution, or that the gentlemen
engaged in the preparation OF this bill were on
one side or the other side during that great
strife, or that certain states have Jagged behind
IN the progress of natural growth.
1T has been reported that In some savage
tribes, out OF the bones OF the dead, imple-
ments OF various sorts were made; but in this
debate IL has occurred 10 gentlemen so eminent
as % be distinguished representatives of the
people 10 deliberately dig up the bones OF the
heroes of the great war, aud out OF them make
dice, and loaded dice at that, 10 play In this
game OF politics. In such a game, even with
such dice, the gentlemen using them may rest
assured they will lose. The American people
are in no humor either 10 witness or approve
such proceedings.
~ express the confident belief that the day
has gone by when either the passions OF the
war, denucistions Of the whisky ring abuse OF
the South, Identification OF revenue reformer
with the Confederate army, or any other OF the
skilliul arts which those interested in the main.
tenance OF this system have heretofore 20 sue.
cessiully used can prevent some action, which
will be the beginning OF a system which IL
based Oh the great principle that all tariff legis-
lation should be for the public good and not
for private interest. But | venture To affirm
that the gallant federal soldier who, urged only
by n sense OF duty, In time OF great peril riSked