The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-04-28
Hon. Frank t. shaw's Speech.

Hon. Frank T. Shaw, Representative from
this district. delivered in the House on We'd
nesday night last speech on the tariff, which
his constituents will read with pleasure, profit
and approval. Our townsman and Represen-
tative has, early in the discussion of the tariff,
come to the front and taken position in the
advance among the leaders for revenue reform
and tariff revision.
His argument, embracing constitutional
authority, economic policy, and the special
interests of the people he represents, will be
found, upon examination, to be equal in all
respects to the best speeches on the tariff.
| 1t is matter of regret that we cannot, IN
this issue of the ADVOCATE, afford our readers
the pleasure ofperusing this admirable speech,
by printing it in our columns. In the issue
of next week the whole speech, from the
Congressional Record, will appear, and we
bespeak for it the careful attention OF the
people of the district.
The constitutional argument against the
power of Congress to impose duties for pro-
lection is drawn from the history of the for
nation of the constitution, and demonstrates
that the trainers of the constitution, by re-
fusing to Congress the power to promote man
ufact,res, withheld the authority to lay duties
for the protection of one class of citizens at
the expense of all other classes. Tracing the
history of the so-called american Policy
another name for Protection-from 1876 to
the present day, DR.. Shaw demonstrates the
fallacies of the ''Home Market theory, the
Balance of Trade" the Protection"
claimed for labor, and all the other deceptive
shibboleths of party, to be fallacious and mis-
e sSggd GaPtbgats2anSS Rasls aRd tEaasSkS
terests, such as wool and iron, are demon
strated to be best protected when left to find
their prices in an unrestricted market.
The interest most essential 10 the people of
the Second Congressional district-the tin
plate business in its connection with the can
ming industry-is presented with great force
and effect. His personal application and
work before the Committee on Ways and
Means, placed tin-plate upon the free list,
and this speech will keep it there.
In examining the whole question of reform
in the revenue, DIR. Shaw was confronted with
reform both in customs duties and in the in
ternal revenue. Compelled to select between
Injuries, or dispensables and necessities
between whiskey and tobacco on the one
hand, and clothing, agricultural implements
and household wares on the other-he has
shown most conclusively that the interests of
the individual and the community are best
served by taxing whiskey and tobacco and
relieving the home necessities of every. day
life from the burden of protective duties.
These are the leading features of this able,
forcible speech, and we present them to our
readers in the hope that it will excite all to
carefully read the speech of their Representa-
tive.
The attention given to DIR. Shaw was most
complimentary, and following the Democratic
leaders, Mr. Mills, chairman of the Ways and
Means Committee, and Mr.. Mcmillan, also of
the Committee, as well as such able Republi-
cans as Mr.. Kelley and Mr.. Burroughs, also
members of the Committee, our Representa-
tive has been early awarded a prominent place
in the tariff discussion, which will be CRAFTY
ing to his constituency, and of great utility in
throwing light upon a subject which should
be better understood by the masses.
The Baltimore 4mericdn'S Washington
correspondent says :-"Dr. Shaw spoke to-
night on the Tariff bill This was his first
lengthy address of this session, and as he is
recognized as one of the best-informed men
on the Democratic side, he had large au-
dience of both parties, all of whom listened
with careful attention. DR.. Shaw's address
revealed careful preparation and study his
subject, and he was fortunate in avoiding the
Refreshing of old straw"
That is, his speech was fresh, original, and
commanded respectful attention from his
auditors.