Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-05-25
GREAT TARIFF TALK.
CONGRESSMAN RANOALl'S ETC
QUENT PROTECTION SPEECH.
tie will not he Dictated Go on Fconomi o
Questions-Mills Does not Like to
Hear Him Speak--Foiiowed by Die
Kinley and kinridge.

toms tax on articles produced In the coun-
try was a bounty paid by the consumer to
the producers, there would be no more
justification for the Mills bill than for the
present law, but the proposition was err
-oueous. Adam Smith proved that the
larger profits could not long prevail in one
industry than another in the same coun
Cry. The United States formed a world
by itself. 1t was impossible for one class
OF consumers to pay n perpetual tax to an
other. Farmers and manufacturers of this
country must depend almost exclusively
Cd the home market. Any other policy
would mean ruin. The greater the produc-
ing power of tue people. the more indie
pendent and wealthy 1T would be-
In his bill the rates of duties had been
f1xed at nearly as possible to cover the diff
Ference in the cost OF production here and
abroad The bill l,wered the duties
wherever possible. There was u line be-
tween free trade aud prohibitive tariff.
where the difference between the cost OF
production here and abroad could be
iealahced and enough revenue raised to
meet the needs otithe government. When
the goods came 10 sufficient to suppress
the home manufacture. the duty should
oe raised. When duties were so high they
permitted trusts at home they should be
lowered, If his bill Furnished mere
protection in any case than was neces-
sary to balance the difference In the
cost of production he was willing
20 lower it. MouopOltes existed without
Tariff. The Standard oil trust, the cot
ton seed oil trust, the whisky trust were
not protected by the tariff. He was for
the protection of labor IN every State,
and the present industrial system.
Mr.. Randall devoted some time to
answering the attacks on his bill and
quoted figures at length to justify the
rates and duties established by 1t. He thea
criticized the Mills bill at myth, showing
that 1t left many raw materials Off the
free lisr, while putting on many manufac-
1ure products, IN which he sad raw
materials are used, on the free list, thus
placing AN ius rmountable barrier la the
say making OF such articles here and
actually protecting foreign labor against
oar own. Again the bill places lower
rAtes on the same manufactured articles
then on the materials used in max
'nG them. He instanCed may OF
.hese and showed the difference was
such as would destroy the ma ufactnre of
those articles here, except on condition
Of levelling the wages to the European
standard, reduction OF duties 80 large in
many cases rs to restrict home manuiac-
lure and enormously increase the impor
iation. Thus it would increase the reve-
nue. instead of decreasing it, The sup.
porters of the bill claimed to be the
champions of the farmer, while taking
from him protection on wool hemp, fax,
meats, vegetables. ETC. They profess to
give the manufacturers better rates If
SO where does the farmer get cOmpensa-
ton tor the loss of his protection Much
& said about removing the tariff on nee
essities and imposing them upon luxuries
9ut the bill gives free olive oil to the
epcure and tares castor oil 81 per cent it
gives free tin plate to the Standard Oil
4 ha of
nopolies aud impo es aduty of 100 per cent
On rice; 1t gives the sugar trust free bone
black and proposes prohibitory duties on
grocery grades of sugar /; it imposes du-
~ of 10 per cent on the poor mau's"
blanket and only 80 per cent on the ak
minister carpet of the rich 1t admits free
animals imported by gentlemen of the
turf, the paintings and statuaIy of mil
ionaires and the coal barons
Mr.. Randall said 81 cannot be coerced
INTO any particular action upon economic
questions by direction of party caucus.
The period OF the pol teal caucus has de
parted never TO return, and yet we
should confer and have unity if pos
-lble. speak only for myself
Ny convictions on the tariff are strong
and founded, | think, upon principle, in
formation and intelligent comprehension
When anyone here enters upon the task
Jf Invoking caucus mower or other modes
Of coercion, can only say it will prove a
frultless undertaking. II done with an
ill-motve then assign him all the nat
aral contempt such self-constituted super
riliOusness deserves"
Ia conclusion Mr.. Randall quoted from
the earlier statesmen in support OF his
views and warned the party 1t was not
safe to abandon principles 80 fundamental
10 our institutions, so necessary to the
maintenance OF industrial systems, princi-
pies which attest the wisdom of those who
~ 1ssl ,,.lt l,.,,
trial enterprises has already dawned upon
me South. No section possesses greater
lal ural advantages. What may not a
century bring forth from her under n sys
TEN calculated TO favor the highest indus
tTial developments When | read the his
Tory of my country and consider the past
and present, and reflect on the future,
cannot believe an idea that went down in
cOuyulsions in 1861 will ever again dom-
nate the destinieS of the public.
Before Randall had completed his speech
ms hour expired. A request was made
lbat he be permitted to continue, but Mills
objected The objection WAS met with a
storm of jeers and Kisses from the repub-
licans, Mr. Cox endeavored to induce
Mills to withdraw his objection, but Mills
peremptorily refused, stating an extension
OF time would have the effect of requiring
breckenridge to speak too late in the at
tefnoon, The House WAS in an uprOar.
The chairman recognized Mr.. Mckinley,
who gracefully yielded Is minutes of his
time TO Mr. Randall, and he was earnestly
applauded, X ndall in turn yielded a
minute to Breckenridge, who made the
proposition that Randall yield back the
time to Mckinley and Randall be permit
led to proceed without Limitation, the
time consumed to come equally out of Nc
Hlnley and his own. This was agreed to
with round of applause from both sides
and Randall concluded
Mr.. Mckinley said both parties were
agreed the revenue should he reduced.
The contention was over the method All
parties agree the tobacco tax should be
abolished, stopping $50, 600 600 of revenue.
The members of both parties united in
lac Lac. -C-..c- 10 secure recognition for
the purpose of Offering bill abolishing
that tax, and the speaker refused recoe,
nition, though two-thirds of the House
favored the movement. Had that bill
passed there would be 40 surplus &c
disturb the country. II the tobacco tax
Was repealed now the secretary of the
treasury says there would be $40,0 Ot
surplus left. The question is rs To the
pes means of getting rid Of that $40 OO0, coo
Here the parties divide ard there is man
Tested the two lines Of political thought
a. LOO a Lot.