Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-05-24
THE TARIFF DEBATE.
The Discussion of the Hills Bill
Drawing to Close.
synopses of Speeches Delivered in the
House of Representative By
Icssrs. Randall, Mckinley
and breckenridge.

haS l-A4FA Will ---~-A%N~10
snd the galleries crowded with spectators.
many Of the diplomatic corps being in their
gallery. Mr. Randall opened by reading
a portion of the Presidents message
and drawing therefrom the inference
that the President was averse to any reduction
of internal taxation and desired the whole le-
duction of taxes 10 fall on :he tarlh. de dll-
fered from the President on these points. ano
advocated the total repeal Of all internal
taxes Republican applausel- except the reten-
ton Of a tax of fifty cents a gallon on whisky
not used in the arts, and the collection OF this
tax he would transfer 10 the customs officers.
He would also revise the tariff as promised by
the Democratic platform Of 1881 He discussed
IN detail the principles Of the bill introduced by
himself on these lines.
Mr. Randall's voice became so innudible that
members shouted louder Promptly at the
expiration OF his hours time twelve o'clock
the Sneakers gavel fell. Mr.. Randall's disap-
pointment was plain.
There were cries OF "Co on Go on.
Mr. Mills walked down the aisle and shouted
sIobiect''. Groans and cries OF "Oh. oh.-don =
don't came from both sides OF the House. and
members focaed around the chairman Of the
ways and means committee and begged him to
withdraw his objections and permit Mr.. Ran
dali 10 proceed. but Eir Mills was memorable.
Finally, Mr. Randall asked as a personal favor
that he be given a few minutes more
''No. will not withdraw my objection" said
MI Mills. az must draw the line, and draw il
here"
At this there were renewed groans Kisses and
EXPLANATIONS Of ''oh. OH.
In the midst OF the confusion. Mr.. Mckinley.
who follows Sir. Randall. arose and said he
would give the gentleman from Pennsylvania
fifteen minutes OF his CIcKinlcys) time. This
was received by tremendous applause
Nh Breckenridge XIV who follows Mr.. Nc
Kialey. then proposed 10 give an equal amount
Of time from his hour, and Mr.. Randall re-
Sumed his speech.
Tie quoted from Edward Atkinson 10 show
Nat S. nee the close OF the war. and even since
the so-callci panic OF ls73. there hal been
greater progress in the common welfare among
the peonIe o. the United States than ever he
<0rc The statements Of Mr.. Atkinson. Mr..
Randall thought. seemed to settle the question
rs 20 whether we should adhere TO the benevo-
lent policy Of protecting home manufactures.
J. demonstrated unmiStaka bly, the truth that
20 increase wages products must be increased
for in the end. wages we're but the laborer's
snare OF the products. While a dollar might
buy more in another country than here. a days
labor here would obtain more o: the comforts
Of life than anywhere else. Under free trade
This advantage 20 labor disappeared II was
impos sible il should he otherwise. II the tart
itself did not give higher wages to the laborer.
il did preserve from foreign competition the
industries from which the laborer received
his wages
Referring 10 fundamental proposition
which had been advanced in this tariff discus
sion-that the duties were always added 10 the
price to the cOssumcr Mr.. Randall said that
On articles not produced in this country this
doubtless was true as general rule and meas
urably true on articles in part produced in this
country, but not in sufficient quantities TO sup
Ply the home market But on all cOmmod. ties
produced in sufficient quantities TO supply the
home market "A different principle controlled.
In these things competition determined the
price, and the foreign producers came into
this market. where prices were fixed,
and the duties were what he paid
for the privilege OF coming into the
market. Another erroneous proposition
that had been put forward was that duties on
articles produced il this country were tax or
bounty, which the consumer paid to the manu-
facturer. by which the manufacturer derived
large profits. MonopOlies, Mr.. Randall sad.
existed without the tariff. The Standard Oil
Trust and other trusts were not produced by it.
He was for protection Of labor in all States.
Referring TO the late Secretary Manning's re-
ports on economic questions, he SAID that they
were marvcls of honest, Conscientious and eff
fectiye labor. He quoted extensively from
them. He then took up the criticisms that
own bill, and quoted figures sustaining his po-
si,on.
In crltlciZln- the Mills bill, he said that
large number OF articles were placed on the
frce-list, supposedly as free raw material,
winch were really manufactured articles.
These were lumber, glue, oils, clay, china, etc.
The bill placed on the frce-list Us so-called raw
materials various articles which il would be
impossible TO manufacture in this country cx-
cept by reducing American labor 10 a worse
condition than that OF the laborcr Of Europe.
He asserted that instead of reducing customs
revenue iiity-four millions. the effect would be
10 largely increase the revenue, While il would
destroy an incalcrlGble amount of
material wealth He stated that the
Oil Company, and would impose
duty of one hundred per cent. on rice. Itwould
make free the animals imported by the gentle
men of the turf. and free statuary TO the mill
ionaire he said that he did not think the
adoption OF the committees bill would make
sure Democratic control Of the Federal Gov
eminent. He woul not be coerced by party
caucus. The period Of the political caucus had
departed. never TO return, ana yet the party
should confer and have unity. il possible.
In conclusion. Mr.. Randall spoke OF indus
trial development in the southern States. A
new era OF industrial enterprise, he said, had
already dawned upon the South. No section OF
the country possesses greater natural advan-
taCes than the South, with her genial climate:
her limitess raw materials: her mines OF coal
and iron, with abundant labor ready 20 develop
them. Considering what has been there
in single decade. what may not a
century bring forth, un5e. system calculated
10 favor the highest industrial developments
"When read the history of my country. and
consider the past and present, and reflect on
what IS before US. / can not believe that the
idea which went down in the CONFUSION of 1861
VIII ever again dominate the desunies of the
Republic"
He ana!yzed the metal schedule OF the Mills
bill. and declared il would bring about meal
culable injury 10 the industries OF America
He could find nothing IN the hill which gave a
return for free wool. He found many inequali-
ties in it. and discovered few features intended
70 relieve the poor or the labor.ng ran. As he
Cwelt on these features of the bill. his voice
grew louder, and he became almost eloquent
He referred to the declarations Of his colleague
(Nr. Scoti). who sat near. IS supercil;ouS, and
sai3 he would ccus:ru them 10 the obscurity
they should be east into. He pleaded with
his Democratic friends not 10 undo the good
which has been done the manufacturing in
dustries by the protective tariff. and read
from jefferson. Monroe and other Democratic
'orefathers TO prove that protection was Z
fundamental Democratic principle He closed |
with tribute to the results and principles Of
protection. and asked that they be maintained |
and maintained through the Efforts OF the
party that instituted them
Messrs. Foran (ol Dem, Wise, Cva) Dem
and Kelley tPa) Rep, were first TO ex-
tend congratulations to Mr.. Randall at the |
conclusion OF his speech. Unanimous consent |
was granted that the time TO be given MAssrs.
and Breckenridge be extended with
put limit.
Mr.. Mckinley began speaking at 1910 D. m
A large body OF members carried their chairs
rom their desks and seated themselves about
The gentleman from Ohio. who began
BY saying that his objection TO
he reductions proposed by the Mills