The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-18
PALMER.
Illustrations of His Readiness 10 Respond
ing to Troublesome Inquirers.

Illustrations of His Readiness 10 Respond
ing TO Troublesome Inquirers.
New TorS Tribune.
Il was at Ypsiiauti also that Senator Palmer. in
the can paign two years ago. had q funny expe-
Renee with a noisy spectator who WAS, perhaps,
the identical gentleman who interrupted Allen,
aud in which the Senator scored Q great point
for the argument OF protection to American in
dustries. The Senator was going on in his usual
good-naured tone when he was rudely inter-
rupted by a man In the audience.
Senator Palmer" the man began, ''they say
you have q very elegant house in Washington"
"Put him ont" Put him out, shouted the
spectators.
"Oh, no, don't do that. said Senator Palmer.
There is nothing ! ike so much as converse
ton. like to be interrupted, as it gives me-
time 70 rest AID amuse my hearers. Como
right up here, my friend, where you can have q
fair chance. Now what Is your question"
"Well, Senator" resumed the mnn, they say
there is one room 10 your elegant Washington
house that cost $40, 600; that il is finished in ma
hogany, and that yen were required to pay no
duty on tine mahogany, as it 10 admitted free;
and yet you go in for q duty on pine lumber. q
business in which you arc engaged. How do
you explain thisl'
The crowd were startled at this, for the Sens-
tor was making a strong protection speech, and
the mans question Was regarded by them as q
regular "s,de winder."
NOW, my friend" promptly said Senator
u tbV u ON gov " orhCu NAV QuoelAOu. Il
dont know how much that room cost, although
IL certainly cost more than l could have wished.
The mahogany cost in the log about $500. 1t
came to New York in an American yes
sci built by American ship builders, rugged
with material manufactured By American hands.
American longshoremen unloaded it, for which
they were paid - and $3.50 a day; American
drsymenh hauled II to tue depot on American
built drays. drawn by horses raised on an Amer
lean farm. and put it into cars built by Ameri-
cans; the cars we're drawn by q locomotive TO a
depot and thence on American drays to the
shops. 1t Was worked MP in Detroit by Ameri-
can laborers paid at the rate OF from 81. 80 to So
a day; 1T then went through different hands, all
American, each taking his share OF tribute, to
Washington, where it was put up by Americans;
and when it was all done l had to borrow the
money to pay for it. the foreigners, you see,
got $500 and American labor SO, 500. Now, my
friend" concluded the Senator, as the crowd
ceased cheering. this illustrates the beauty Of
the American tariff. When a man who
thinks he has money wants to put on style the
tariff tells him there is no earthly objection so
long as he 10 willing to pay for his fun and go
long as the bulk OF the money which ne paws
out goes to orr own people. The duty on the
mahogany log is nothing. but as soon as it is
sawed or worked in any way. then it must pay
30 per cent duty. Ii the rich man will dance be
must pay the fiddler"
All the time Senator Palmer bad been max
ing his point the crowd was smiling and ap-
plaudiug the complete answer he gave to his
noisy Guestioner. They cheered Justify at the
Thomas crowded mp to the platform. shook the
Senator'S hand, and amid the laughter Of the
audience. insisted on escorting him to the rail
road station.