The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-19

nance of our industrial system, principles
which attest the wisdom of those who estab-
lished them by the fruits they baye borne the
full fruition Of which, however, can only be
realized in the extension OF diversified IN
dustries to all parts of the country. A new
era of industrial enterprise has already
dawned upon the South. No section pos
sesses greater natural advantages. what
may not the century bring forth from her
under system calculated to favor the high
est industrial development when read
the history of my country" he continued,
consider the past and the present, and re-
feet on the future, cannot believe the idea
that went down in the convulsion Of 1861
will ever again dominate the destinies of the
republic"
Before Mr.. Randall had completed his
speech, the hour expired. A request was
made that he be permitted to continue, but
Mr.. Mills objected. The objection was met
with storm Of Jeers and Kisses from the
Republicans. Mr.. Cox endeavored to induce
Mr.. Mills to withdraw his objection. but this
Mr.. Mills peremptorily refused to do, stating
that the extension of time would have the
effect of requiring Mr.. Breckenridge Of
Kentucky to speak too late in the afternoon.
The House was in an uprOar. The chairman
recognized Mr.. Mckinley, who gracefully
| yielded fifteen minutes of his time to Mr..
Randall. and was earnestly applauded: Mr..
Randall, in turn, yielded minute to Mr..
VIII illdQC plUpUoltlOu
Mr.. Randall yield back the time to Mr.. Me-
| Kinley, and then that Mr.. Randall be per-
mitted to proceed without limitation, the
time to be consumed to come equally out OF
Mr.. McKinley's and his own.
This was agreed TO with round OF ap-
plause from both sides, and Mr.. Randall con-
cluded.
Mr.. McKinIey's Speech.
Mr.. Mckinley said that both parties were
agreed that the revenue should be reduced.
| The contention was over the method. All
parties agreed that the tobacco tax should be
abolished, stopping thirty millions of ieve-
nue., and members of both parties united in
the last session to secure recognition for the
| purpose Of Offering bill ab0lis aing that
| tax. The Speaker refused RECOGNITION,
| though two-thirds Of the House favored the
movement Had that bill passed, there
would have been no surplus to disturb the
country. IL the tobacco tax Is repealed now,
the Secretary of the Treasury says there
would be forty millions of surplus left The
question is as to the best means of getting
rid Of that forty millions. Here parties and
individuals divide. Therein is manifested
the two lines OF political thought. which
have existed since the foundation of the
government, namely: A revenue tariff or
protective tariff. He congratulated the coun-
try on the issue, and welcomed it,
Mr.. Mckinley then defined revenue tariff
tration that the Mills bill was q revenue tar
iff bill. He said that beyond the twenty four
millions of reduction on tobacco, the bill
would not reduce the revenue q cent. The
twenty-seven millions in reduction expected
from the free list, would be more than offset
by the increased revenue from lower duties,
consequent upon increased Importation
Instead of reducing duties all along the line
the bill increased them. The bill was unfair to
sections and raised the question Of sectional
iS xphiah ha tunah a6 Tho hstf
tuition of the adyalorem for the specific sys-
tenn of assessment ought to defeat the bill.
There can be no honest administration of
the revenue laws as long as the value of the
imported article is left to be ascertained by
experts thousands of miles away from the
point of production.
NEW ENGLAND PROSPERITY
was due largely to protection. Her prosper
ity benefited every citizen Of the United
States. He showed by statistics that New
England was better market for Southern
and Western products than Old England
The country was ready for free trade the
moment European producers would bring
their labor up to the American standard.
Gentlemen on the other side talked of cheap
clothing. Cheap clothing was too narrow
for national issue. The speaker produced
a suit of all wool clothes. bought at the store
OF Congressman Morse, in Boston. 40 per
cent cheper than it could have been bought
in 1860 under low tariff and low wages. Mr..
Mckinley then gave figures sho wing that
blankets, which, in 1860, cost $40 and $13
apiece, today could be bought for S5.S5 and
$780, On the other hand, the spinner,
weaver. unskilled finisher and skilled finish
er, who. in 1860. were paid respectively ST,
S4, $3.50 and Sc week, today receive respect
lively SIS. $40. SO and SIG per week.
In conclusion he said that even those DEM
ocrats who believed in protection must get
out of the way of the free trade procession.
The majority of the representatives were
not authorized to vote for this bill by the
election of 1886. 1t was not an ISSUE
The House was not elected on that issue.
men OF the other side, under the instructions
given them by the people two years ago, to
force this measure through the House.
Mr.. Scott, of Pennsylvania, said he voted
and his people sent him back with double his
majority.
Mr.. Mckinley said he knew that but
man who had between thirty and forty
thousand miles of rairoad with
COAL MINES ALL OVER CREATION,
and plantations in Virginia, could come to
Congress in an off year on almost any issue.
Mr.. Scott replied that he had come to Con-
gress in Presidential year from district
which gave Blaine 5000 majority, and gave
him 800 majority.
Mr.. Mckinley said to the gentleman and
his associates: go back to the peo-
pie and ask to be elected to the Fifty-irst
Congress on this bill, and the Presidents
message. Then II majority is returned,
you are authorized to vote for the bill"
When Mr.. Mckinley concluded, he was
greeted with round after round of applause,
and was Immediately surrounded by his par
ty colleagues who were profuse in congratu-
lations.
Mr.. breckenridge Speech,
Mr.. Breckenridge's was received with
great applause, some Republicans joining.
He said the committee on ways and means
had attempted to frame bill which would
reduce the revenues to safe amount, relieve
as far as a moderate bill could, the evils of
the present unequal system, reform the
inequalities of the present tariff and promote
American industry by giving American
labor the hope OF permanent, stable and
profitable market. 1t recognized that sys-
tenn in existence for over quarter Of CEN
tury could not be hastily or recklessly over
turned. 1t desired to harm no industry, and
constantly leaned in favor of established
rates. In case of doubt 1t proposed rate
which it believed entirely safe. I'VE appre-
ciate," said Mr.. Breckenridge, that the bill is
not an answer to all the conditions of to-day.
Many duties are left too high and relief is
not granted to the extent the condition OF
the country, and labor required, but the bill
Is one WHICH every ldlT mlUueu
man in American may accept as wise,
moderate and proper legislation. Upon
this statement l am willing to go the coun-
try and submit to its judgment. The bill is
before Congress. The responsibility of its
preparation was upon us. The responsible
ty of its legislation is upon you. No sneers
as to its authors, no charges, however often
sive or discOurte0us, as TO the manner Of its
preparation, no abuse of those concerned in
the preparation can remove from you the
responsibility of action nor change the issue.
The surplus continues to grow and its evil
effects are daily exhibited. The schemes
without number to squander the public
money, or distribute it among the States,
which cultivate the habit in the American
of looking to Washington as the great aims
giver, can be defeated only by your action
as to this bill. 1t will not be accepted as an
answer that there was any provision of any
sort.
IN THE CONFEDERATE CONSTITUTION,
or that the gentlemen engaged in the prepa-
tion of the bill were on one side or the other
during the war, or that certain States have
Jagged In progress in national growth. The
time has gone by when either the passions
of war or the denunciation of a whiskey
ring, the abuse of the South, the identifica-
tiar Of revenue reformers with the Confed-
crate army, or any other of the skillful arts
which those interested in the maintenance
OF this system have hitherto SO successfully
used, can prevent some action which will be
the beginning of n system based on the