The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-15
Perkins, of Kansas, Takes an In
observation-disclosures Fit.
He Intends to Talk About Indians
But He Sidetracks
And Takes Up the Tariff. Then
the Confederacy.
Mr.. Allen Reminds Him of the Fact
That Twenty Seven Years Have
Passed Since Civil Out
break.


WASHINGTON, April l4.-In the course
OF debate today on the Indian appropria-
ton, Mr.. Perkins, of Kansas, depressed to
the tariff and read extracts from the Con-
iederate constitution on the subject of free
trade and labor. This brought out sharp
response from Mr.. Allen, Of Mississippi,
who thought that il was a great pity
that the gentleman from Kansas
(Alr. Perkins, could not get his head
out OF the cupboard and walk
squarely up 10 the issues OF today instead
OF going back 10 slavery and rebellion. The
gentleman from Kansas reminded him OF
the story of the two men who when travel
Ing went TO sleep in a room with cup
board in IT, In the night one asked the
other 10 look out the window and see what
kind Of day il was going to be. The lat
ter by mistake opened the cupboard win
dow, and after looking around exclaimed:
at is dark rs hell, and smells like
cheese" Laughter. The gentleman from
Kansas, instead OF getting hishead out into
the daylight of 1888, had got into the cup
board OF rebellion and everything was
dark "a hell and smelled OF slavery.
Laughter. II was TO the credit of the
Democrats of the House that they had
something better TO talk about than the
issues which had been dead for twenty
Ave years, and il any Democrat got up and
instead OF discussing living issues, had
nothing TO talk about but dead
issues he hoped that he would
be expelled from the Democratic side
and made to take a seat beside the gentle
man from Kansas, where he could stick
his nose in the cupboard where the gentle
man hal his. The gentleman had read
from the Confederate constitution. Did
the gentleman know that il was twenty
seven years since that constitution had
been adopted; that constitution and what
II contained were not matters OF interest,
even to the people he represented and TO
the people represented by those who had
reported the bill.
AIr. Perkins suggested that those gem
tlemcn had been born when the constitu-
ton was suggested and he simply wanted
10 know whether their sentiments had
changed on the Questions OF free trade and
labor.
Mr.. Allen declared that no man in the
ways and means committee was in favor
OF slave labor. They all had as much
respect for white labor in this country as
had the gentleman from Kansas or any
other person who would vote against the
bill.
GLOW about back labor" asked Mr..
Perkins.
at is as free and independent rs white
labor in Kansas" replied Mr.. Allen.
GLOW about voting2" asked Mr.. Per-
kins.
Mr.. McNIillen, Of Tennessee They vote
n they please.
Mr.. Perkins-IIow about the chain gangs
IN Arkansas and Texas2
Mr.. Allen--I know this That there is
no Law In Misissippio or Arkansas that does
not consign n white ielon 10 the chain gang
Just ~ quickly A. 4 black one, and II the
gentleman were there don't know what
bis prospects would be.
Mr.. Adams, Of Illinois, said that the OBJ
feet Of the gentleman from Kansas in
quoting from the Confederate constitution
was not to awaken bitter memories Of the
war, but 60 remind the country that the
gentlemen who reported the bill had be.
licved In free trade. The proper answer
20 that would have been for them 10 SAY
that they had changed their sentiments,
but that answer had not been made.