Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-04-25

MIR. McMillen, of Tennessee, was accorded
the floor and advocated the measure Com
mentiug upon the si40, ,o00, 600 surplus in
the treasury, he said: We are drawing
money from commerce and locking it up
In the treasury at such a rate that it is only
squestion of time when the stringency
will set in. panics begin, and ruin follow.
We are robbing not only commerce of its
life blood, but the people of the means of
paying their tsIes to their governments
municipl, county, State and Federal-and
their debts TO their creditors All sorts of
jobs are proposed to Congress and all sorts of
jobbers are fiocking here. There is moth
ing conceivable more corrupting to govern
ment than plethoric treasury, 1t revives
stale demands 1t encourages the prosecu-
tion of matters long since at rest
Quoting from what he termed the able
and characteristic speech of the ge ltleman
from Pennsylvani Mr.. Kellyt demanding
q total repeal of the internal revenue sys-
TEN, he declared that the Republican party
was responsible for that system, and COM
mented on the fact that when Mr.. Kelly
was Chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee, he did not repeal internal
revenue taxation. The plain, simple oues-
ton presented to-day in this tariff matter
was whether TO take off the burden of
S2i, ass, 900 of internal revenue taxes and
the Mills bill. or leave it on; free COM
merce, by leaving il unshackled, or keep it
hampered; continue to hoard up corrupt
ing surplus, or leave the money in the
pockets of the people, where it justly be-
longed.
Tariff taxation, he insisted, costs not
only what is paid into the custom house,
but the identical increase of expense upon
all or greater part of the dutiable goods
aaAa ar,A ,,..2 -, I'LL -,
Before we attempted to exclude everything
from our markets and forced our people
TO buy in the dearest markets, we had COM
merce carried on in American ships with
all the nations of the earth, but We had
absolutely driven our carrying trade from
our own people, pretending to protect.
We had done nothing but destroy. Pre-
tending to assist, We had only crushed our
own sea faring industry; pretending to be q
friend TO the American merchant marine,
We had been its worst and deadliest enemy,
and to-day we carried but thirteen per
cent of our foreign commerce and paid
millions 10 other governments to do our
work for US.
Mr. Burrows, of Michigan, followed in
opposition TO the bill. The possible $75,-
000, 000 surplus at the end of the next fiscal
year must be sverted. An ever accumu-
lating surplus not only invited profligacy,
Out insured SWut IndilClal QlS&Ster.
The solution of the problem of how the
surplus should be reduced would be at
tended with little difficulty if no other re-
suit was to be obtained than the reduction.
But the reduction of the revenue was not
the only or indeed the chief end to be at
tanned. The method by which that reduc-
ton was 70 be accomplished had become
the main point of the controversy-the
only point about which there was any
serious conflict of opinion.
Should this reduction be taken from in
ternal or from customs revenue or from
both, and if from both, what proportion
from each The Republican party insisted
that the protective system should not be
distributed except so far as might be neces-
kary TO correct its ineongruities and har-
monize its provisions. II Congress follow
ed the lead of the President in his bold dec
laration and secured a reduction by the re-
vision of the tariff as he proposed, leaving
untouched as he suggested the internal
revenue system, not only would the pro-
tective system be destroyed but the nation
would be out on the ighway of free trade
The pending measure, Mr.. Burrows said.
stood without a parallel in the history of
American Legislation. Conceived in dark
ness, brought fourth in secresy, its parent
age carefully concealed, at last laid at the
door of the committee on ways and means,
where the majority took it up as tenderly
as though it were q legitimate offspring
hurriedly brought, it into the House
to be adopted by the Democratic
of free trade. In this contest,
Mr.. Burrows said the Republicon party
teok the side of protection, and would re-
sist to the uttermost, any attempt to Grip
pie American industry, destroy American
capital or pauperize American labor. The
elas of protection in this country had been
eras of prosperity, the eras of free trade had
been eras of depression and disaster. The
passage of the bill would destroy our wool
industry. Wool would be cheaper, while
our foreign rivals were trying to destroy our
wool industry, but when it was ruined We
would be bound hand and foot at the mercy
of the foreign producer.
In concluding his speech, Mr.. Burrows
said the Chairman of the Committee on
Ways and Means expresses the hope that
this measure will pass. He is not alone in
this desire. There is not a member of the
Golden Club nor free trader in the United
States who is not in sympathy with him.
More than this, free trade England stands
on tip toe of expectation and screams with
delight
Let me warn you, gentlemen of the
South that this measure bodies no good to
you. 1t Will arrest the investment of capi-
tai and bring your industries to a stand
still. There is no portion of our country
where this measure should meet with a
more united and determined opposition
than in the South. The advance is already
sounded. He who does not respond to its
inspiring summons will soon find himself
without a party and without following.
When Mr.. Burrows concluded the COM
mittee rose.
Mr.. Reed. of Maine, said that ii was we'll
known to the House that efforts had been
made TO reach an agreement as 20 the time
to be given for the debate on the tariff bill.
He stated the Republican position-ten
DAYS on their side. night sessions not to be
included in the time, and recited the pro-
ceedings in committee that had been made
for the continuance of the debate during
to-day and tomorrow. He asked Mr.. Mills
to fiI upon some time for the debate, and
suggested that ten days be allowed
to side, with so many even
ing sessions in addition as the
House might be disposed 10 have. Such a
length of time would benefit not only the
importance of the bill but the circum-
stances under which it had been presented.
There had been no consideration OF the
bill; no public hearings on the Republican
side: no public hearings on the part OF
members, the interests of whose districts
were copcerned If it should turn out tina.
Il was not necessary TO prolong the discus.
sion for 50 long time as was suggested, the
debate might be shortened. 1t had been
claimed by gentlemen on the other side
that there had been an informal agreement
in committee that these ten days with
,sveping sessions should be given up to the
bill, but so far as he was concerned he did
not remember having entered into such ar
agreement.
MT. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, held tina
q formal arrangement TO that elect hat
been entered into in committee, whil'
other members of the committee sustained
Mr. Reeds understanding of the com
uittee's arrangement.
Mr. Mills, in answer to MI. beeds pro
no,it;on. urged in favor of night sessions