New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-19
ENGLISH BLANKETS AND CONVICT WAGES.
FREE TRADE IN THE CoNcRETE-"BUY WHERE
YOU CAN CHEAPEST

Washington. Oct 1s (speciaD.-senator Teller
caused considerable embarrassment TO his Democratic
colleagues this morning by barmless-appearfng little
resolution which he submitted In the Senate and
which will come up for action tomorrow. 1t has
been known for some time that tho Commissioner OF
Indian Affairs with the approval OF Secretary Villas
recently made contracts for the purchase Of lot Of
wagons TO be made by convict labor. He also called
attention tie fact that Secretary Endicott is in
the habit Of purchasing English blankets for the use OF
the Army and brought light the fact that President
Cleveland pocketed the bill prohibiting the purchase
of convict-made goods. Mr. Teller wants Senate
Committee to Investigate all the facts.
The resolution for this purpose threw Tennessces
distinguished Senator, Second Clerk" Bate into
state OF excitement. His only defence that the
system of convict labor practsed In Tennessee
learned from a report made several years ago by
James G. Blaine. THIS was all the excuse Senator
Bate had and Mr.. Teller dcrisivey referred to the
great concern which the Democrats felt over the
mcSeDcnts and sayings Of Mr.. Blaine.
The late Commissioner Atkins and the acting Com
missioner of Indian Affairs Mr. Upshaw, or both
Of whom responsible for the contracts for convict
made wagons, Pan Electric rcformers' from Ten
nessee and the wagons, 1t appears the handwork
of other Tennessee Democratic reformers," who at
present happen TO be sojorDers in the penentary of
that State. ats all In the family you Last
year Congress passed bill prohibiting any public
President Cleveland defeated 1t by "pocket veto.
In July, 1887, following the adjournment OF Con-
gress, the first contract was made by tho Indian
Bureau with Cherry, Morrow Co., lessees of the
Tennessee Penitcntary, for 400 wagons Subse-
quently two other contracts were awarded TO the
firm, for 272 wagons and one for about
200. These bids awarded in competition with
bids of many other largo manufacturers Of wagons
who employ free labor and pay good wages TO honest
mechanics.
Senator Cockrell, too was thrown into fit Of virtu
Gus indignation by the charges of the Colorado Senator
He read long letter from the Secretary of War OK
planning his course with regard 10 the purchase Of
English blankets. but tie Secretarys letter proved
nothing except the fact stated by Senator Teller that
this Administration bought English blankets because
they could get them little cheaply than they
could get the American goods. Senator Cockre
yainly endeavored to get rid Of Senator 1eller's
charges by sneerngly stating that the committee
wanted simply for election purposes In order that
one-sded testimony might be taken and printed on
The of election. When Mr. Teller promptly an
swered this charge by stating that 1t was not In
tended l. proceed with the investigation until after
the election, tue MssCI Iii statesman ungraclousy In
mated that Mr.. Teller varicating and forced
Mr.. Teller knows something about the practice OF
this Administration I'm catering to English manufact
ufers and he means 10 have the country know some
thing about IL also.