Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-19
THE TARIFF.
MR. cox TELLS wEAf HE KNOWS
ABOUT 1T
To a Full House and Crowded Galleries
Wit, Humor, and Anscdots-
Mr., Blaine.

WASHINGTON, d. G., May 1.-THE morn.
ing press having announced thas sunset
Cox would speak on the tariff to-day, when
be srose about O'Clock this afternoon he
was greeted by = full House and crowded
galleries His speech was most powerful
effort, IN which reason, eioquepce. wit, and
humor were mingled with great effect. He
gave a most interesting historical sketch OF
free trade IN England, In which he paid
most glowing tribute 10 John
Bright, Richard CobdeR, and Sir Robet
Peel. lie said that the repesi OF the
corn laws had been opposed by the
most powerful families OF Enghud, led
by the Duke OF Wellington, but Ia the cad
right and Justice had prevailed, and England
repealed the corn laws and entered upon the
most glorious aud prosperous period OF her
existence. lie stated that Mr.. Garfield bad
mentioned and expressed very liberal views
on the question Of reform in the tariff, sud
read a letter from q gentleman whose name
be said would be given II his statements
were disputed, saving that Mr.. Blasnes
election as Speaker of the Forty-second
Congress was only made possible
after be had given pledge to
the revenue reformers that he would,
IL elected Speaker, give them ma
jority representation on the Committee on
WAYS and Means. This gentleman stated
that shortly before the meeting OF that Con-
gress the representatives OF the Reform
League met at the Fiith-Avenue Hotel. Mr..
Blaine happened 10 be in the hotel at that
time. He did not attend the meeting, but
he was Ia communication with II, and be
distinctly promised these gentlemen that IL
they would support him for speaker he
would consulate the committee to
their satisfaction. They did support
hun, be was elected, and he
kept his promise, and a majority OF that
committee were revenue reformers. One OF
these gentlemen, Mr.. Cox said, was present,
and heappealed 20 him General Farnsworthl
to know II he was not stating the truth.
General Farnsworth bowed his acquiesceuce.
eyes" said Mr. Cox. "ahd there he mods
bis venerable head In confirmation OF what
saw" Mr.. Cox paid his respects 70 Mr..
Burroughs, Of Michigan, and compt-
mented him very highly on the mag
nidcent perOratlon Of his speech. IN
which be welcomed the New South"
"But,o said Mr.. Cox, " began 10 fear that
his tribute was but sarcasm when he wound
I'D his peroraliOu by quoting Charles hackey'.
magnificent invocation 10 Free Trado.'
"The transition reminded me-" he said, "of
an snecdOte ! heard recently OF an old dar-
KEY down in Lynchburg, who was called up
TO give his experience before being admitted
10 the Baptist church. Perhaps some OF the
Baptist brethren no IN the gallery there may
know him. In reply to the question OF The
preacher as to what had induced him to seek
the Lord the old dsrgey said: 'Woll,
brethren, Use had a dream. dreamt
that vas out on q big field 10
the middle OF the night. and | saw the
ladder down which the angel came that
wrestled with old Father Jacob. And pres
emily heard a voice up In the clouds where
the top end OF the ladder was, aud II said,
'Cllmb! Jim. cllmb!' and l cldmb up
several rounds OF the ladder; and heard
that voice again; and It sad, Climb !
Jim, chmb! aud I clumb up further
on the ladder. And the voice said
again, 'Cllmb! Jim, climb and | clumo
way up on TO the top OF the ladder. And
then heerd that voice again, and this time
It said Juno, Jim, Jump and l dldnt
want for TO Jump. Bur that voice came
again: JUMP, jim, jump! and Jumped;
and OF all the gOlderudcst falls that ever a
niger got. dat was the wust.'" The shouts
Of laughter that greeted Mr.. CoX's climax
drowned his voice aud rendered inaudible
the rest Of the story.
Mr.. Cox was followed by Nr. Manson. OF
Chicago, who was put up by the Republic
cans a. the humorist on their side OF the
House