The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-04-19

was still being prosecuted against the peo-
plea fiscal war exhausting in It's De
mands-and every effort to remove tnaI
taxation had been resisted and defeated.
The Democrats have been taunted Win
the charge that they had failed TO reduce
taxation. This charge had been made oy
the minority which had been guilty oil pre-
venting action on the many bills brought
into the House by the Committee on ways
and Means Mr.. Mills turned his attention
to the wooden manufacturers and argued
that the public at large was injured by the
present excessive tax and nobody pene-
flied.
Taking up the case of pair of blankets.
the tariff exceeded the labor cost OF one
by sl.25. Mr.. Mills declared that every
dollar of the excess was reaped by the
manufacturer.
Mr.. Grain, of Texas, interrupted to ask
how the Ways and Means Committee had
treated those blankets.
Mr.. Mills replied that it had reduced the
tariff on the blankets from 81 a to IL cents.
Applause Continuing he said that 1t
was asserted that Congress had intended
to benefit the laborer by the tariff. 1t had
failed aud not dollar of the protection
got beyond The manufacturer. He, how
Il
the open market. The C mmittee had left
in the bill more than enough pro ectlcn to
ply for all he labor and bonus besides.
Mr.. Mills then went into the details OF
the tables, citing flannel bar iron, besse-
mr. steel, wooden suits and other articles
as exhibiting cases where the tariff charge
invariably greatly exceeded the labor cost
and where none of the excess got beyond
the manu- iacturer to help the laborer. This
policy built up palaces and concentrated
wealth, but it distributed not of its beneh-
cence in the homes of the poor laborer. l.
compelled the Government to take large
share of lis "a ningS. 1t was making
vast distinction in this country between
two classes-one poor and Dumerous-one
small and powerful and rich. The concen-
tration of the wealth Of the country in the
hands of few men would overthrow the
free government.
In conclusion the speaker said that he
hoped the bill which the committee had
presented-Which had met with favor
throughout the cruntry-would receive
ma iorty Of the votes of he House, though
it was not all the committee could ask. 1t
was very mOJerat- bill; yet it would
send comfort and happiness into the homes
and bosOms Of The p pOr labOrlng people of
this country, and he asked the House in
behalf Of these people 10 consider their
claims and help to reduce the burdens that
had been loaded upon them. Applause
and cries of Vote, vote,'' from the Demo
cratic side.
Mr.. Mills spoke about an hour and three
quarters, ana as he look his seat he was
surrounded by The crowd of Democratic
members who pressed fOrw ard to shake
his hand and tender their CONGRATULATIONS.
Mr.. Kelley, f Pennsylvania, next took the
floor in opposition 10 the bill. He said that
the enactment of this bill would instantly
paralyze the enterprise and energy of the
people. Under the baneful influence of
such law the report Of the census of 1890
won d announce the overthrow Of the man
ufaclurlng supro macy and the reduction of
the commercial position to that of colonial
pendence 1t was studiously desired to
produce these d re results, and nicely
adapted for its purpose. 1t was con-
fes5edly a partisan measure and was
framed in the interest of a party
whose leaders appeared to be obiivl-
Gus 10 the overwhe ming social and
economic changes wrought by the abolition
of slayery. The gentlemen who framed
this bill and could brook neither moditica
ton nor discuss on of its provisions by
their associates IN tie committee were,
with but two exceptions, representatives
of what was slave territory. The bill was
an anachronism; it had no relation to this
era; it belonged 10 The saddest epoch in
National hist ry-ihe period between 1924
and 1865. During hat period slavery
dominated our National councils and guided
the adm HistratiOn of National affairs. IN
hostility to National interests, and in the
interest OF free trade twice threatened
war. 1t was in the interest of free trade
that war was threatened in support of the
doctrine of notification, and it was in the
interest Of free trade that the country was
involved for more than four years in
fratricidal war. AS a measure proposed
for future guidance the bill was an an
achronlsm and was illustrative of systems
of ethics and economic philosophy against
VIII oh history had written in blood DEGREES
and that were final. None Of it's provs-
ions were in harmony with the spirit of the
age.
Its first effect, the speaker declared,
would be to arrest the magnificent develop
ments Of mineral wealth, of manufacturing
power and of the diversficatons of agricult-
ure now taking place throughout the
South and to paralyze the organized indus
tries of the North. BY putting wool on the
free list it would abolish sheep husbandry,
destroy the immense capital embarked
therein and impoverish more than million
men who owned fiocks or were employed
in their care, and by working this ruin it
world diminish the supply of cheap and
healthful animal food now fu furnished by the
wool growers to the mining and manufact-
urlng laborerS of the country.
Passing to the question Of the duty on
sugar, Mr.. Kelley said that the world was
Indicted to tue fostering care of the Gov
ernmeut for the bountiful supply OF sugar
which enabled the humblest of the labor
ing classes to inc ude Ii in the list of their
daily necessities. President Cleveland's
free trade message, by its assumption that
the duty was always added to the cost, not
only of imported commo dties but to the
price OF like commodities produced in this
country, showed how profoundly ignorant
he was of economic science.
In conclusion Mr. Kelley said: THE
perpetuation of the internal taxes is the
issue presented to the American people by
the President in his free trade message and
by Southern gentlemen who have domi-
mated the councils of the Committee on
ways and Means and submitted this bill
to the House for consideration. For my
self, will ST md for the protective system
and the maintenance of such rates OF duties
as will insure the development of all the
resources of the country, increase the
number of industries and perpetuate
its National independence, commercial
and Industrial, as well as polit-
ical. This can not be done
If the internal tax system is to be
maintained, for the surplus is in condi-
ton that can not be perpetuated with safe
ty to our republican ins buttons. The puri-
tY of the Govern menf the safety Of bust