Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-05-24
GOSSIP FROM THE CAPITAL.
Speaker Chriisie's speech and Other
discussions or the Mills Tariff bill
"a reception 20 Senator Voorhees,
WashingOn Notes
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON. NAV 81

| washington NOteS,
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 81.
On Saturday Speaker Carlisle closed
the general debate ON the Mills tariff bill
with ringing speech for revenue reform.
Referring to the opposition of some of
the New England members to the measure
he said Gentlemen from New Eng
land predicted in 1916 that the duties
! fixed by the law OF that date would ruin
their textile industries. In 1857 all Of
the New England members voted for Il
still further reduction of 20 per cent
from what they had called the ruinously
low tariff of 1916 In the free trade
period, as the republicans called the de-
cade from 1850 to 1850, the wool manu>
featured product increased 46 per cent
and wages 81 per cent. The increased
product in New England was 90 per cent.
In hosiery the product increased 42l per
cent. In cotton the product in New
England increased II per cent, In boots
and shoes. upon which the duty had been
reduced 16 per cent, the increase In New
England was SO per cent; the product in
1860, in New England was more than
the entire product of the union in 1850
This is what the republicans from New
England saw under low tariff. Within
eleven years after the Apassage Of this
bill the members from New England will
vote for still further reduction, or, if
they did not, the people would send
somebody here who would. And now
that the general debate on the
tariff bill is over, few people
are under the necessity of asking
which party has the best of the
contest thus far. The democrats have
won an intellectual and political battle |
and the republicans know it. They hes.
itate to accept a challenge to direct
vote on the Mills bill without amend, |
ment. and they have taken Mr. Randalls |
bill as an expression of republican opin
ion, only because they are utterly unable
to formulate bill of their own upon
which to place their faith in the coming
campaign before the plain people of the
country. The Mills bill may not pass,
although the outlook is very favorable
for it just now But the democrats who
favor that measure have the satisfaction
of knowing that they have furnished the
issue upon which the presidential cleo
ton will be contested. Mr.. Mills is very
confident that his bill will pass the house
republ leaders of the house that they
should introduce the substitute which
they propose offering for the bill and
take vote on it, and Immediately there,
after on his bill, shutting off all amend
ments as well as the debate by sections.
For the past four days the republicans of
the house have been caucusing and con-
ferring. but up to this writing they have
agreed to do nothing except to oppose
the Mills bill. The measure will now be
laid aside for ten days, a truce of that
length having been agreed upon by the
leaders of both sides. and in the mean
time the house will proceed with other
business. AT the end of that time it is
probable that the consideration of the
bill by sections will begin.
Senator Voorhees, was given public
last Thurday night by the
Indiana democratic association of this
city. The Virginia, Pennsylvania and
Maryland associations and the District of
Columbia democratic club TENDED in a
body. There were music and fireworks
and nothing lacking in the way of
of endorsement and support.
The Senator delivered a rousing speech
II which he defended his war record. He
aid: | stood by the principles of my
Government. l stood for its honor and |
tood for its liberty. | stood for the union
If the states, and | stood likewise for the
light to discuss every measure of admin,
tration for war as well for peace. voted
or every supply and for every dollar
hat to feed and clothe the soldier in the
ield That is my record | recall here
what the Indiana soldiers will not forget,
hat when the money of this Government
appreciated until the soldier was not I
icing paid more than 81 or So month
Though $15 was promised him, made {
movement in Congress to increase his
lominal pay so that the actual value of
what he received shold be equivalent
o what had been promised. ,
The House Pension Committee has
eported in favor of removing the limita-
ion from the arrearage of pensions act,
is estimated that if this bill becomes
aw it void require $3.50 100000. :
Indian Commissioner Atkins, who is
DING to resign for the purpose of en-
aring the canvass for the Senate from :
'ennessee, has been requested by Secre-
airy Villas to defer his resignation until
fter the letting of the Indian con
racts. 1t is expected that the contracts
MI all be awarded be the fifth of June.
The democratic delegates from this
istrict to the st. Louis convention favor n =
le nomination of First Assistant Post n
laster>General Stevenson, of Illinois, for g
ice. President q