The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-13
THE SENATE.
Senator Coke Defends the President
and His Message.

WAsHINGToN, April 49, Among the
bills reported from committees and placed
ON the calendar Except as otherwise
noted were the following:
Senate bill adversely for relief Of cap
tains, pilots, engineers and mates OF steam
vessels. Indefinitely postponed.
Senate bill authorizing the Little Rock
q Alexandria Railroad company to build
and maintain bridge across Bayou Tcrre-
bonnie, La.
Mr.. Stewart offered q resolution, which
was adopted, calling on the Secretary of
State for. information as 10 the case OF John
Prussia, naturalized American citizen,
who has been imposed into the military
service OF France, and as to other like
cases.
TIE motion TO refer the Presidents an
nual message was then taken up, and Mr..
Coke proceeded TO address the Senate.
lie began by speaking Of the surplus Of
$4,000, 600 in the treasury, and said that
the causes which took that money need
lessly from the pockets Of the people and
the channels OF trade Ito the enfecblement
of every branch of industry were contin-
uing and produced more aggravated re-
suits each successive year. II was easy TO
see that unless the causes were removed
or greatly modified, il was only question
OF time when a calamity, fatally involving
all the industrial interests OF the country,
must follow. In view OF this emergency,
SO full OF evil portent TO the country, the
President had, in wise and bold message,
urgently recommended such revision OF
the tariff and reduction OF duties ON inn
ports rs would reduce the revenues to the
limtrcquired for the support OF the gov
eminent. In that the President was sim
ply voicing demand that came from the
/ people OF the whole country. Speak
ing Of the internal revenue, Mr.. Coke said
that distilled spirits, malt liquors
and tobacco were luxuries, not necessarics,
that the revenues collected from them
went directly into the treasury Qess the
small percentage OF 40 for collcction) and
that the internal revenue tax was TO that
extent clear gain 10 the treasury. IL
added nothing TO thecost OF food, clothing,
shelter or other item OF living, while IL
operated ~ a measure OF repression upon
the excessive and injurious Use Of the arti.
cles. Customers did not complain Of that
tax, and Ii was not strange that the Prcsi-
dent should recommend its retention, UNI
diminished, aud that the necessary reduc.
ton OF revenue be made by cutting down
the tariff taxes.
The attention OF the people could not he
diverted from the real questions at issue 10y
the sectional bloody shirt" canvass al.
ready commenced by the Republican
party, and TO he vigorously prosecuted fol
the express purpose Of binding the peo
pie with passion ~ that they might moi
see how aud by whom they were being
plundercd.
Ills faith in the intelligence OF The people
and in their attachment 10 honest and
constitutional government banished from
his mind all fear Of the result Of the im
pending contest
AZ the close Of Mr.. Coke's speech III,
Senate resumed consideration OF the bill
TO provide for the admission OF the Stat,
OF South Dakota and for the organization
OF the Territory Of North Dakota.
Mr.. SpOoncr obtained the floor 10 spcal
In favor Of the bill. but the Senate pro
ceeded 10 executive business aud soon ad
journed until Monday.