The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-09-20
MILLS BILL TARIFF LEGISLATION
Extracts from the Speech Of
Hon. VIM. McKin-
ley, Jr., of o.,
In the House Of Representatives,
Friday, May 18, 1888.

Mr.. CHAIRMAN Our country Is In an
anomalous situation. There is nothing
resembling II any where else in the world.
While we are seeking to find objects to
relieve from taxation, in order that we
may relieve an overfowing Treasury,
other nations are engaged in exploring
the field Of human production to
find new objects Of taxation to supply
their insufficient revenues. In consid-
ering the situation that thus confronts
us, and the bill that is presented here as
intended to relieve it, 1t is well that we
should understand at the beginning the
things upon which all are agreed.
They are, first, that we are collecting
more money than is required for the
current needs Of the Government; and,
second, that the excess, whatever it may
be, beyond the wants OF the Govern.
ment, should be left with the people.
Our contention, therefore, is upon the
manner of the reduction and not upon
the reduction itself; not that no reduc-
ton shall or ought to be made, but how
and upon what principle can 1t best be
accomplished. We agree, further, that
the tax upon tobacco shall be removed
and thus leave with the people 0,O00,-
600 which they annually pay upon this
domestic product. Were we men Of
business, governed by the principles
which guide practical men Of affairs,
this burden would have been and could
have been removed any time within the
past two years, and il removed two years
ago no surplus would now vex the Ad.
ministration or alarm the business of
the country. In passing, it is suitable
that should say that within the period
named no hindrance from this side Of
the House would have been interposed
to the abolition of this tax.
1t is also suitable that l should say,
for the sake OF the truth OF history, that
gentlemen on this side and gentlemen
on the.other side OF the House repeated.
ly made efforts during the last Congress
to secure recognition for the purpose of
offering bill to abolish this tax, which
request was refused by the presiding
officer OF the House, and refused, too,
MIR. Chairman, when every intelligent
representative on this floor knew that il
an opportunity was given to vote upon a
bill for the abolition of that tax it would
have received not simply majority, but
the vote OF fully two.thirds OF the House.
repeat that il that had been done, if
the House as then organized had given
to the representatives OF the people an
opportunity to vote upon simple propo-
sition to reduce taxation, no Immediate
surplus would be now in the Treasury
to Interrupt and disturb the business OF
the country.
Butt tax was not abolished, and il
done now still leaves about forty millions
OF revenue collected in excess of the
public necessity. How can this amount
he RENTED with the least disturbance
to the business and employment OF the
people
This, Mr.. Chairman, is the real. the
practical question. At this point parties
and individuals differ, and herein the
two lines Of political thought which
prevailed from the formation Of the Gov.
present for consideration and the ulti.
mate jndg""nt OF the people the divis.
ion between the Republican and Demo
cratic parties upon u purely economic
question. can not iorbear, In this con.
nectiou, 4, congratulate the country
that upon this question our fellow citi.
zens of oil sections and all nationalties
without regard to past party affiliations
unbiased by prejudice, and uniDfiuenced
by passion, can divide. Here Is present
vi al issue which leaves the past be-
hind and looks only to the present and
the future, an issue without tinge o.
sectionalism, which awakens none o.
the bitter memories of former discord Of
divisions, which appeals neither to race
nor geographical lines, which knows nc
North, or South, or East, or West, bu
brings all within its sweep and contem
plation, each dividing upon what eacf
may honestly regard for the best inter
ests and highest welfare Of all an ISSUE
which We can consider and discus
calmly and deliberately, having only il
view the future of the individual citizel
and the highest and best destiny of tn,
Republic. In this spirit welcome tin
issue so sharply, and may say boldly
made by the President in his annua
message and now further made by tn
bill under debate, and approach its con
sideration with the single purpose h
reach II possible q conclusion whicl
shall bring to the country and the Who'll
country, with whose interests we ar
temporarily i;.trust@1, the wid.sl bene
fits and the most lasting good.
1t will be freely confessed by ou
political opponents that this bill is bu
the beginning OF tariff policy marke
out by the President, and is a parts
response only to his message, to be TO
lowed up with additional legislatio
until our system OF taxation shall b
brought back to the ancient landmark
of the Democratic party, to purel
revenue basis; that is, that the tariff {
duty put upon foreign importation
shall hereafter look to revenue, an
revenue only, and discard all other col
siderations.
WHAT IS REVENUE TARIFF?
This brings us face to face, therefor
with the two opposing systems, that
a revenue az distinguished from a pr,
tective tariff, and upon their respecti,
merits they must stand or fail. Nov
what are they? First, what is a rev
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