The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-20

committee did not believe that il was Its
duty to do more than propose moderate
reduction Of taxation by increasing the
free lists, reducing certain rates and re-
moving as far rs practicable, unnecessary
restrictions, and TO render the admins
tration OF the law more efficient to the
protection OF honest importers and the de-
lection and prevention OF fraud.
Whatever views any one may hold as TO
the proper theory on which a tariff bill
ought 20 be framed, those views are not
violated by this bill. We do not pretend
that il is a scientific measure, The present
law is very highly protective-in some
instances prohibitory. He who believes
that protection ought TO be the main OBJ
ject and revenue only incidental may find
IL TO his interest TO accept so moderate an
offer as is now made. He who thinks that
in raising the revenues such incidental
protection ought TO be given as is prac-
ticable will find in the provisions OF this
proposition, when he examines thom care
fully, that his support OF this measure
would be consistent with his opinions.
While men Of my views, content with try
ing TO accomplish what is practicable and
patiently watching this fair experiment of
reducing taxation and increasing the free
list by putting thereon raw material, ac-
cept the practical and give our support.
II is a bin framed TO meet the present con-
dition, not 10 III any particular theory.
II is believed that this bill will enable the
home manufacturer OF wooden and other
textile fabrics 10 so equally compete with
his foreign competitor as 10 supply the
home market with much Of what is
now supplied by import alton, and that
thto ,x;u ropiinua upi1 tba foroion onaIq
Of certain characters will be entirely driven
from the American market. The changes
proposed by this bill are designed 10 give
10 the farmer by whom all provisions are
raised a market for his brcadstuils and for
raw materials, which is only profitable
when he has u prosperous manufacturer
for purchaser; 10 the laborer, the hope OF
n constant market; and 10 the mnnuinc-
turer freedom from unnecessary burdens.
We have, therefore, put upon the free list
rs far IA VIC felt II was just, the materials
necessary for the manufacturer. We have
GSuced the rates, wherever we have
souchcd them, 10 point that gives 10 the
Some consumer the hope OF fair COM
pSsition whenever demand may be made
10y an internal trust 10 advance the prices
beyocd fair consideration for the article
20 be sold, and yet We have left the rates
~ that the protection afforded Il il greater
than any necessity and makes all com
petition OF foreign manufacturers upon
terms Of great advantage 10 the American
manufacturer. We do not believe there
IL n single instance in the bill where the
duty left upon an article IL not more than
the difference between the cost OF pro-
duction in America and the cost OF pro-
duciion abroad plus the freight.
Referring TO the internal revenue system,
he said: II was determined, in response
10 what seemed 10 be the sentiment OF a
large part Of the country, 10 propose the
repeal OF taxes on manufactured tobacco.
Practical craftsmanship is the art OF
wise compromise, and In a free country
the desire and judgment OF a large portion
Of the people whom we represent must be
accepted as a sufficient reason for legisla-
ton. Our belief was that 10 exempt fruit
bmndies and alcohol used in the arts was
indirectly and hypocritically but cfIectually
10 destroy the internal revenue system
and II this ia 10 bo done We preferred TO do
IL or have Il done openly, and thus fix the
responsibility of IL upon those who nc.
complished II. Those who vote 10 exempt
alcohol thus used will do 40 with the
knowledge that IL Ia n vote 10 destroy the
Tux on distilled spirits.
The bill In before Congress; the responsi.
bility OF ita preparation was upon w, the
responsibility Of legislation IL upon YOU
No snecrs as 10 lis authors; no charges,
however offensive or disconrtcous, m 10
the manner OF It's preparation; no abuse Of
those who were concerned in It's prcpara.
ton can remove from Yon the response.
bility OF action or change the issues made |
10y the bill itself. Tho surplus continues |
10 grow; the evil effects Of il are daily |
exhibited; the schemes without number |
10 squandcr the public money, 10 dis. |
tribute II among the States, 20 cultivate n |
habit In the American people 10 looking |
10 Washington M agrcat almsgiver can be /
defeated only by your aclionas 10 this bill. |
Aud II u no answer TO say that il was |
prepared In secrecy, that lis authors arr |
incompetent; that there was improperly |
In the mode Of It's consideration. Neither |
your own conscienccs nor the country will |
acquit you II you shirk the responsibility |
and eyade the issue under such an excuse. |
Nor will u be accepted M any answer that !
there was any provision Of any
sort In the Confederate constitution,
or that tho gentlemen engaged In
tho preparation Of this bill were
ON one side or the other side during the
great strife, or that certain States have
Jagged behind in the progress Of national
growth. IL might ~ we'll BE- understood
that what We do and say here Ia done aud
said In view OF the American people, who
are In dead earnest concerning this matter.
II has been reported that In come savage
tribes, out Ut thc bones oi tho dead. i'm.
plcmcnu oi various sorts were made: but
IN this debate II has occurred 10 gentlemen
~ eminent ~ b. b. distinguished repre-
scnialivcs OF Tie people, 30 deliberately Dig
up the bones Of the heroes OF the great
war and out OF them make dice, and
loaded Dice at that, 10 play in this game OF
politics. In such a game, even with such
dice, the gentlemen using them may rest
assured that they will luae. The Amcri.
can people are in no humor 10 witness or
approve such proceedings.
express the confident belief that the
day has gone by when either the passions
OF the war. dcnunciations OF the whisky
ring abuse Of tie south, Identification Of
revenue riormcu with the Confederate
army, or any other oi the skillinl arts
which those Interested In the maintenance
OF thh system have hcrctoiure 40 success.
luliy uH'd, can prevent some action which
WI bo Tie Bargaining Of a system which
y hascd ON the great principle that ali
iariii legislation should be Tor public eool
and not for private intcrsia
but ! venture 30 affirm that the Gallant
Federal soldier who, urged only by a sense
OF duty IN Time OF great peril, risked his