The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-15
Lth CONGRRSS-..PIRST SESSION.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, May IA.
AT O'Clock the Senate proceeded to the
consideration of executive business. Among
the bills introduced and referred was one by
Senator Stewart, proposing an amendment
to the constitution so as to reduce from two
thirds to a majority, the vote in each House
overriding Presidential yetoes. He re-
marked that the time had come for such a
change, and said he would, at convenient
time, make remarks ON the subject.
Senator Vest offered resolution for the
appointment of a select committee of five
Senators to examine, fully, all questions
touching meat and produce, with view to
the existence of combinations to diminish
prices to the producer without lessening cost
to the consumer. He asked that the resolu-
tion be printed and laid on the table, and
gave notice that he would call it up tomor-
row.
The Senate continued in executive session
until o'clock when it adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Mills, of Texas, from the committee on
rules, reported and the House adopted with
out discussion or division, resolution pro-
viding that the general debate on the tariff
bill shall close on Saturday next
After the introduction and reference of a
large number of bills, the House went into
committee of the whole on the tariff bill
and was addressed by Mr.. Hatch, of Mis-
souri,.
Reviewing the speeches of gentlemen from
the New England States in reference to the
great prosperity of that section under the
protective tariff, he admitted the prosperity
of these States, but denied that the farmers
had any share in the general prosperity. In
1850, the total value of farms, stock, etc., in
the six New England States, amounted to
S4S5, 100000. In 1870, that had further in
creased to S7O7. .OOO 900, while in 1880, after 10
years of profound peace, with the largest ac-
cumulation of wealth New England has ever
seen, it had fallen off to $671.000,000. This
protective system, meritless as death itself,
had robbed alike the neighbor and the stran-
ger. The gentlemen from the West were
asked why that section did not diversity
its interests and become rich like New Eng
land. The West did not wish to get rich in
the same manner. Its moral plane was so
high that it rejected with scorn and contempt
proposition that it should rob nine men to
make one rich.
Mr.. Q'Neall, of Indiana, as protectionist,
was willing to make the tariff high enough
to enable the manufacturer of an article
which could be produced in the United
States to compete with foreign manufac-
turer. AS free trader he was opposed to
having the tariff placed any higher than that.
Mr.. Thompson, of Ohio, said the Demo-
cratic party was absolutely hostile to pro-
lection A tariff for revenue only would re-
suit in lowering the wages of labor to the
level of those paid in the old world 1t
would mean danger to the peace of the
nation.
Mr.. Sherman, of New York, said he
wished to present petition from hundreds
of people in his district protesting against
the passage of this most unwise and uncalled
for measure.
Mr.. Struble, of Iowa, said that among the
things, some commendabe and some des-
pisable, done by the present administration,
at least three could not escape the condem-
nation of the public; namely, its attacks on
the silver dollar, the greenback amp the pro-
tective system under which the government
had grown and prospered.
Mr.. Cowles, of North Carolina, said the
revision of the tariff by reducing the duty on
imported goods to a revenue basis would in
crease importation and produce all the rev.
enue the government required. He argued
that the odious internal revenue law should
be repealed.
The committee then rose and the House
adjourned.