The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-26

500, 600 900 pounds, more than 800 600 900 had to
be purchased abroad. because the tariff had
broken down all our WOODEN industries In con-
clusion, he said that the day had passed when
the glory and triumph of men and nations
in the invasion of . foreign land, and the day
had arrived when that glory and triumph con-
sisted in bearing the national emblem into the
harbor Of every country of the world and there
to plant IL in the grand temples dedicated to
commerce and industry.
Mr. Browne, of Indiana, expressed himself as
not in the least frightened at zhe plsthoric con-
dition of the national treasury. This was not
the first time that there had been surplus in
the treasury, but neither johnson, nor Grant,
nor Arthur had made the condition OF the
treasury preteBse for distur sng the industrial
policy of the government The country con-
tinued TO enjoy an unparalleled prosperity. The
accumulating OF revenue might be made
the occasion for doing much for
the peoples benefit. The national debt might be
gradually paid off, the merchant marine might
be built up. habor and coast defenses might be
constructed, navy might be crowded common
surate with our glory and grandeur as q nation,
and a grateful people might tender TO the old
soldiers who have saved the country parting
benedlctlon. That surplus existed was an ey-
idence of national prosperity. That il had been
gathered into the treasury without oppression
or complaint, was an evidence that the pro-
tectiye system was just one. If the surplus
were under the control of wise craftsmanship
it would be national blessing, bnt il was
safer to reduce 1t than run tho hazard OF ILL
advised expenditures. he was anxious to have
revision of the method of taxation so as TO re-
duee the revenues TO the lowest limit OF national
wants. But he argued that the plan of
IN his annual message would result in disaster
to American industries. The Democratic party
IN the House had not gone the whole length of
the Presidents suggestions because it feared
party rather than financial disaster. Why had
the internal revenue tax been reduced in the
presence of the Presidents assurances that no
just complaint could be made against it2 1t had
been done to svert Democratic strike in Vir-
ginia and other Democratic States. He, on con-
ditions, would support SO much of the bill as re-
duced the interDal-revenue system. The law
that taxed tobacco and Intoxicating liquors had
been acceptable TO his people because they re-
garded them as luxuries. and because the con-
sumption imposed . grievo1S burden on the
municipality and the State. On this point he
in sympathy with his people Looking at
the internal revenue system from a revenue
etaEd point, there was much to condemn in 1T,
and if the people understood shat the whisky
tax was kept on in order that the protective
system might be maintained, the whisky tax
would have to go.
Turning to the wool provisions of the bill be
quoted figures 70 show that the domestic prod
uct had increased enormously under twenty
years of protection, had grown from weakness
into strength, while by the reduction of duty by
the act of 1883, the industry had been well nigh
ruined It was little singular that while wool
was put upon the free list sugar was to be pro-
tected by an annual tax of $40. 100000. He con-
graduated the President upon having compelled
his party to take issue on the tariff question.
The masquerade was over. The question of the
day was whether the revenue system should be
free trade or protection, for this bill was the
vanguard of the free-trade policy.
MIR. Dockery. of Missouri, said that the sur
plus was required in the channels of business
and trade and commerce in order that capital
might employ labor. and said that the question
presented was how that surplus was TO be dis
posed Of Would it be done by tine making of
extravagant appropriations He warned Con-
gress that if it did not reduce taxation, that was
the way in which the surplus would be got rid
of. There were on the calendars Of the House
to-day hundreds of measures which would never
have been heard Of had it not been that there
surplus in the treasury. The Democrats
party had always been the friend of the Iaboring
men, and if Republicans could show that the
protective system was beneficial to the working
objection to it. But they could not do so. On
the contrary, many unprotected industries paid
their EN- ployes higher wages than paid
laborers in protected establishments He had
statistics to show the immense bonus which the
protective tariff put in to the pockets OF the man
ufacturer, but which did not 60 into the pockets
of the workingmen.
Mr.. Kerr, of Iowa. inquired why the gentle
man did not go out of the banking business and
into the manufacturing business, if it was so
profitable.
Mr. Dockery-I remain in the banking bust.
ness for the same reason that the manufacturer
remains in his businesS-becalse IL pays; but
never went before a legislative body asking aid
for myself, and masquerading behind the sup
posed interests of the laboring men of the coun-
try. The protective system had built MP
aristocracy of monopoly. He wanted TO sound
nous aggregation of capital in the hands of q
few men. He contrAsted the increase of indi-
vidual wealth in the manufacturing States of the
East with the decrease in the In dividusl wealth in
the agricultural States of the West, and said it
was due to the discrimination made by the pro-
tective tariff against the West The Democratic
party proposed to favor revenue system which
would give all the incidental protection which
the manufacturers needed, but did not propose,
If it could avoid IL, to continue system which
levied enormous tribute the agricultural
States for the benefit of the manufacturing
States. In conclusion, he said: Let I'M
bind and unshackle the genius and en- terprise of
our people, and permit them 20 cross the seas
and repossess themselves of tae commercial adj
vantages they enjoyed when the flag
familiar sight in all waters OF the globe and in
the harbors OF the world" Applause.
The committee then rose.
Mr.. McMillin OF Tennessee. submitted the
resolution agreed to in the committee on ways
and means relative to night sessions for deba.e
upon the tariff bill and prescribing the limit of
general debate on the measure. Adopted
Mr.. Henderson. OF Iowa. from the committee
appropriations, reported tie bill making an
approximation of $50 $50. 20 enable the execu-
tive departments to participate in the centen-
NAL exhibition, to be held in Cincinnati, o., in
July, August and September. Referred to the
committee of the waole.
The House then took recess until o'clock,
the evening session to be for debate only on the
tariff bill.
Mr.. Glass, of Tennessee, spoke at length in
support Of the bill, and the House, at 1925, ad-
jonrned.