The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-01-11

weakness Of the Presidents Free
Trade Masea9e Shown.


gallery and with the advantage Of close nj
tention from the Senate Many ofthe Dem
ocrsfic Senators came over 10 the Repubii-
can side in order 10 hear better. and big
group Of members of the House, mostly Re
publicans. occupied the available sofas and
seats near the cloak room
The Senator read his address in a clear.
strong voice which carried every word of it
to the furthest gallery, and he ended with
unusual yigor. None of the Democrats in
terrupied him with questions or remarks,
and the attention was 50 close that he was
permitted to go straight on without even APP
plause from beginning to end. The follow
ing is synopsis of the speech:
The President ofthe United States. Senator
Sherman began, departing from the practice
of his illnstrious predecessors. dropped from
his recent annual message all reference to the
foreign relations of the country and TO the
interesting questions in national affairs, even
emitting the usual recognition of the Su-
preme Ruler of the Universe, and posting all
things, celestial and terrestrial, until the sur
plus revenue be got rid Of
The existence of surplus revenue instead
of being danger is an indication of the
continuous increase of the domestic produc-
tions of the country and its foreign and do
nestle commerce, and of the steady improve
ment ofits financial condition.
Larger surplnses had frequently been dealt
with wisely by Republican administrations.
being either applied by the executive an
thorities TO the payment of the public debt,
or its accumulation. having been prevented
by Congress, from time to time, by the re-
duction or repeal of taxes.
The Democratic party had now had con-
troll of the House of Representatives since
the success of the Mississippi plan "-ex-
cept for two years-and had not in that time
originated or proposed reduction of taxes.
The only Republican Congress in 10 years
had by act of March. 1883, largely reduced
both internal taxes and customs duties 10
meet the very difficulty which now so alarm
ed the President.
lfthe President regarded this growing sur
plus as danger why had ne not as soon as
possible brought his influence to bear upon
Congress to provide for a reduction of taxa
iion ? And why had not Congress applied
the remedy?
The only answer was that a controlling
majority of the Democratic party would not
allow a bin TO be reported unless it contain
cd provisions which lin the opinion of ma
iority of the members of the House would
greatly injure or destroy domestic produc-
tion. creating real distress and reduce wages
If il had been the desire to reduce taxes
without reducing American production. the
task was easy but the enormous powers of
the Speaker of the House were used to pre-
vent even the presentation of such bill
and in this the Speaker had (it was under
stood the hearty sympathy and support OF
the President and the Secretary of the Treas
ury
Even without reduction of taxation the
surplus revenue might have been applied for
great national objects but for the vetoes of
the President, for the failure of the Secretary
OF the Treasury TO exercise plain discretion
AIRY powers conferred upon him by the law
and for the failure of the Democratic House
Of Representatives TO make appropriations
for some of the highest national objects de-
nanded by the people. The President bad,
on what lac Senator Shermanl regarded as a
frivolous reason, refused his signature TO the
River aud Harbor bill, which would have
appropriated more than $40 1b.0oo for neces
sary public works. and. by his vote of the
dependent pension bill he had withheld
from Union soldiers appropriations made for
their relief The Honse too, lIad refused 10
provide for system of coast deienses for a
proper increase and building up of the navy
aud Of the commercial marine, for postal
communication with the South American
States, and for the encouragement and sup
port of schools, 1t had also neglected or
refused to appropriate for eight millions of
deficiencies admitted to be due. or To pass
the Senate bill for the refunding 10 the sew
eral States the direct tax levied in 1852 fsI4-
/ O00.0OOl
Senator Sherman argued that the revenue
should be reduced. but when the President
and Secretary of the Treasury tried to alarm
the country 50 Us TO induce Congress to
break down great industrial interests. he
/ pointed them to the neglect of a public duty
( intrusied TO their discretion as the fountain
/ Of their woes Ifevil comes to the republic
/ by this surplus il was their fault.
On the question of internal revenue taxes
( Senator Sherman advanced the Argument
/ that these taxes, being war burdens. should
be reduced. rather than the tariffs on foreign
! productions. which the President had called
vicious, inequitable and illogical
/ II was at the tariff laws that the President
! and the Secretary ofthe Treasury aimed their
/ epitheis and argsment-the surplus revenue
I being the mere pretext or occasion 1t was
! the protective industrial policy built up by
the Republican party that they would break
down. The Presidents message fairly con-
structed, was a severe indictment of all en-
gagged in manufactures-a sweeping aecusa-
tion against the policy of protection as sup
ported by the great mass of his country
men.
Senator Sherman said there was but one
rule which had to be applied to all industries
impartiaIly aud that was, to give to all
forms OF American labor which have to com
pete with foreign labor. that fair and reason
able advantage and protection which would
give the American producer the home mar
ket for home products. If any article now
paying taxes could not be manufactured
here. it should be put on the free list.
In conclusion. Senator Sherman said he
advocated a policy that would encourage
home industry, diversity home projections
discourage importations, add to the external
and internal commerce, open new mines,
increase raw materials, light new furnaces
establish neS rolling mills, factories and
workshops, and develop the wonderful nat
nral resources ofour country. He advocated
that policy which looked to the interests of
the American people rather than 10 those of
foreign nations.
He advocated the policy of reducing prices
by home consumption rather than by foreign
competition, of cheapening raw materials
I by increased production. by the improve
ment OF rivers and harbors and by railroad
composition. In other words. he advocated
the development, increase and growth of the
productions of this country, without regard
to the policy or theories of interests of other
nations. Whatever nigh, be said of other