Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1888-01-06
SENATOR vooRHEEs, SPEECH,

WASHINGTON, Jan. AT the conclusion
Of Senator Sherman's speech, Mr.. Voor-
hees began his speech in defense of the
presidents message. He denounced the
statements of Messrs. Sherman, Teller and
other representatives in criticism of the
presidents message as insincere and
misleading and asserted that by way of
preparation for the coming presidential
election representatives. legislators and
journals were endeavoring by gross mis-
representation to put the president and
the democratic party in an attitude of hos
tility to American manufacturing inter-
ests. Nothing could be more unjust or un-
fair. Under the leadership of Grover
Cleveland the democratic party demanded
such revision Of the tariff, such reduction
OF revenue and surplus and such admins
tration of the powers Of the government as
was most beneficial TO all interests and
most fully in harmony with the general
welfare. If the democratic party with its
record of more than fifty years in admins
tration of the government and it's frank
and constant declaration OF principles was
to be charged with the folly of free trade
the tariff people would very soon and very
clearly find out that such assaults were
only made to divert public attention from
EVIL DESIGNS AND SCHEMES OF PLUM
DER
Of which they were the victims. Proceed
ing to discuss the message of the president
he said that it was a pleasure to him to de-
clare that this remarkable state paper was
true to the principles and teachings of the
democratic party from it's foundation by
Jefferson eighty-seven year ago to the
present day, and that the thanks of the
laboring and business classes of the coun-
try were due to the executive for seizing
on that vital issue with the grasp of
strong, honest man. The president had de-
clared for the lOwly and oppressed. Since
that matchless and immortal inaugural of
Jefferson on the 4th of March, 1901, no
communication had ever emanated from
the chief magistrate of this government
more able, more elevated in craftsmanship,
more humane or benevolent in it purpose
or more conducive to the general welfare
and good government than the message
under consideration. AS to tobacco, he
suggested that the tax on cigars and snuff,
producing Sl25OOO00, might be retained
and the rest OF the tax, producing $17,OO0,-
600, abolished. But this, however, was
feature of detail and perhaps feature If
compromise.
SUGGESTIONS AS TO TARIFF.
AS choice between reducing the inter-
nal revenue or tariff taxes, he would labor
to cheaper woolens, linens, cotton fabrics,
salt, lumber, coal, iron, steel and all other
staple commodities, rather than such arti-
cles as were indulged in from acquired
habits or luxurious modes of living. A
persistent and violent effort was being
made by those who managed and led the
opposition to the present administration to
convince the public mind that the presi-
dent was unfriendly to labor interests and
labor organization. But why under tine
present high tariff We're laboring men en-
gagged in constant strikes and severe strug-
giles with their employers? He had never
working mans prlvations and anxieties to
increase the tax on his blankets and cloth
ing or on his salt and meagre table ware.
Mr.. VOORHEES, quoted from the republican
platform OF 1894, wherein it pledged itself
to correct irregularities of tariff and to
reduce the surplus and he said that that
was plain. clear admission that the work
of the tariff commission had been poorly
done and called for correction; and yet
that pledge had never yet, by one word,
one vote, one step or the lifting of one
finger, been attempted to be carried out to
this day. He turned from the proposition
for q larger army and navy and costly
coast defences as a remedy for the treas
ury surplus to more natural, necessary
and
PRACTICABLE METHODS
for its use. A general pension roll, with all
arrearages paid, liberal appropriations for
the improvement Of rivers and harbors, the
construction of public buildings wherever
needed for the public service, were all
loudable objects and should be attained,
but they would fall far short of restoring
immense surplus to circulation and of af--
fOrding the relief needed. AS further
remedy, and indeed as the greatest and
most potent, the American people would
be best pleased to see the public debt
diminished, and if authority to purchase
bonds not yet due was not to be found in
existing law congress should promptly
supply the, defeoV
at the close of Mr.. Voorhees, speech Mr..
Sherman moved that the message be re-
ferred to the finance committee but action