The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-22
LOW WAGES AND HIGH TARIFF.
Misery of New England Operatives
Testimony Of Savings Banks

WASuINGToS, Dee. 2i-In the senate
Chandler presented an additional memo
rial, numerously signed, from three vot-
ing preeiaets in orangebHrg comfy, South
carolins, alleging denial of the right Of
Totiuzia The late election, and praying for
an investigation Referred
The public printing deficiency bin was
passed 1t sppropriates sss.0o0
The resolution offered yesterday by
Teller, for a committee to investigate the
Office OF the supervising architect OF the
treasury during the administration OF the
presest supervising architect, was tsken up.
Teller accepted Vests amendment extend
ing IL 70 the administration OF the preced-
ing architect.
Yes, made q speech denoancing the pres
ent system for the erection of public build
ings as extravagent and the worst in the
world. The resolution was finally mo H.
fed to apply 10 the conduct of the Office
merely, aud passed.
The senate then took up the tariff bill at
the schedule cotton manufactures. Vest
moved 10 amend the first paragraph of the
schedule by striking out the words 40
cents per pound" applied 10 thread, yarn,
etc. valued al not exceeding IS cents per
pound. and inserting the words. '.35 per
debated a; considerable length by Vest aud
Hiscock.
Coke read. with many comments, the
testimony of Thomas O'ponnell. spinner
in Fall River, Mass. showing that for him
self aud wife and two children he had no,
earned sl59 in year; had not had help
from the outside aad had little fuel or food
the preceding winter. that his wife had
only one dress, costing s., since her mar
riage six years before: that this condition
of things existed for more than six years;
that il was not confined 20 him, but there
eould not be less than 1890 operatives in
Fall River in like condition. That, said
Coke, is the condition of the protected
American woTkingman, 10 pay whom aud
Ia support whose families the American
people are taxed an average of 81 per cent.
Oh everything they eat drink or wear
even on the grave clothes Of the dead
Dawes admitted that such cases did ex-
list, but he asked Coke which was the bet
ter remedy, 10 furnish employment or take
1t away. He showed that the amount Of
deposits in Massachusetts, savings banks
was s3l5,0oo. 500, and that IS per cent of
that amount represented the deposits OF
wage earnerS.
Coke turned from the cotton operatives
Of Massachusetts, TO the miners of Penusyl-
vania, and quoted the testimony of John
Jarrett 10 the effect that the condition OF
the coal miners, numbering at least 5000,
Is "pitiable aud miserable" In con-
elusiOu he said; This is prOtec-
ton, this Is the policy whieh Is claimed TO
have bad the sanction OF the American
people at the late election This policy
hEs never been endorsed by the American
people and never viii be f"
Hagley said he did not know in the state of
Connecticut any such people "a O'Donnell.
There were every where some sbiftless,
drinking. idle mon who could not get q
living, bat in the savings banks of Con
neeticut, with population of 7o,0oo. the
deposits amounted u 5 100 00o, Coz. mostly the
savings OF servants and operatives. Massa-
ehusetts had pr0portioBate amount ia her
savings banks These two facts were the
most emphatic answer 20 what the senator
from Texas had becu saying about the
condition Of the people Of New England.
Hear also replied TO CoEe. He denied
that there WIS any such condition Of
things as that described II was not
picture Of the working people Of New
England The Sfuf which the senator
from Texas talked Of and read OF was pure
nonsense
The bill went over without actisn on
fesi's amendment
The senate bill 10 provide for the disposal
OF certain public lands Of the United States
under The provisions of the homestead Law
only vas taken from the calendar and
passed; also the following bills House
bill To furnish certain arms. ammunition
and e4uipage 70 the state of Oregon for
EniliIis purposes: house bill for the Issue -
military stores 10 the governor Of Montana
for regular setiye militia
After an executive session the senate sd
iourned Til January .