Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-05
SHERMAN'S SPEECH.
rContinued from First Page

to take place in careful and prudent re-
view of the tariff. and we would have to
leave to the future what might seem the
best means and arrangements by which to
attain that end As choice between re-
ducing internal revenue. or tariff, taxes he
would labor to cheaper woolens, linens,
cotton fabrics. salt lumber coal, iron,
steel and all other staple commodities
rather than such articles as were INDUCED
in from acquired habits or luxurious modes
of living. Persistent and violent effort
was being made by those who managed
and led the opposition to the present adj
ministration to convince the public mind
that the president was unfriendly to labor
interests, and labor organizations, and the
reduction of taxes would be SO powerfully
enforced as to prove hurtful to the
workingman, and especially to wage
workers employed in manufacturing in
dustries. He Mr. Voorhees, might pause
to ask the meaning of the present condi-
ton of the wage-workers in many of the
most extensive manufacturing regions
Why, under the present high tariff were
they engaged in constant strikes and Sc
we're struggles with their employers. The
president has expressed his solicitudc for
the welfare of the American laborer and
had pointed out the yigilant care which
his interests should receive in the treat
ment of the tariff.
After quoting a sentence from the mes
sage and its connection he said that he did
so in order to present a complete refuta-
ton. in condensed form. of the reckless
and sometimes malicious misrepresenta-
lions with which the presidents position
had already been asSailed, and which
would continue for at least the next ten
months IN his Judgment, however, the
American people would have but small
difficulty as soon as the present imDrOvised
"A ,J,,.fs1 dad u,
the presidents premises. His arguments
and his conclusions were alike impreg-
Unable and alike deiied assault. lie turned
from the proposition for a larger army and
navy and costly coast defenses rs q remedy
for the treasury surplus TO more natural
necessity and its practicable methods Tor
its use generous pension roll, with al
arrears paid, liberal appropriations for the
Improvement of rivers and harbOrS, the
construction of public buildings, Were ever
needed for the public service, were all
iaIIdable objects and should he attained,
but they would fall Short Of reStoringth the
immense surplus To circulation ami OF at
fording the relief need. As further
remedy and indeed as the greatest and
most potent, the American people would
be best pleased TO see the public debt Iii
unfinished and if the authority to purchase
bonds not yet due was not 20 be found in
existing law congress should promptly
supply the defect. There was no bondage
no debt and when the government bond
was paid and when the last vestage of the
national debt wiped out there would be a
jubilee year beside whose glOries all
other jubilees and centennial years
would grow pale and insignificant.
He had faith in It's completion because the
administration had at last been placed up
on sound principles and was being carried
on by honest and able hands The Ameri-
can people would see to it that no back
ward steps should be taken for the future.
AT the close of MIR. Voorhees, speech,
Mr.. Sherman moved that the message be
referred to the finance committee. Agreed
to.
After brief executive session the senate
adjourned.