Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-05-04

of the people, for the people and by the pee
As Mr.. Wilson concluded he was raptur-
ously applsuded by his party friends, while
many republicans joined in the compliment
Amid cries of vote, vote" the members
congratulated Mr.. Wilson him upon
his speech.
Mr.. Dingley of Maine then dis
discussed at length the Presidents and Mills
assumption that the duties on imported arti-
cles produced here to the extent of our own
wants, were taxes which increased the bur-
dens of the consumer to the extent, or nearly
to the extent of duty. He argued on the
contrary that such duties benefited the con-
sumer by encouraging home industries,
securing the products for less labor or ser
vices. He asked on what ground the bill
which professed TO remove taxes on the ne
cessaries of life had placed the duty of 100
per cent. on Southern rice and IS per cent.
on Southern sugar. The bill proposed to
place wool, lime, wood pulp, manufactured
lumber and Canadian farm products on the
free list on the ground that they were raw
materials but left the duty on such articles
as coal, and iron ore. Why should the labor
of the farmer producing wool, potatoes,
beans, etc, and the labor of the workmen in
manufacturing lumber, wood pulp and lime
be unprotected. He denied the charge that
the protectionists were hostile to foreign
trade. The are opposed to surrenderiDg the
home markets, the most valuable iii the world
which consumed more products per capita
than the United Kingdom consumed and ex-
ported. Our foreign trade exports increased
since the war as never before, because the
people were more prosperous and bought
more articles that they couldn't produce. 1t
frn haf fnra 10 hus
declined. but no more rapidly since the war
than in the six years before. The decline is
due, not to protection, but the want of pro-
lection. 1t has been the only unprotected
business in the country since 1850. Contend
ing on free trade principles, with foreign ves-
sells. it has been driven TO the wall, while at
the same time the protected coastwise trade
flourished. This should serve as an object
lesson to Congress and the country to stand
by protection and extend it to shipping in the
foreign trade by means of direct aid.
Mr.. Mckinney of New Hampshire, said he
came to the discussion of the question not as
a free trader. He believed that the best
means of collecting the funds necessary
WAS tax on imports, but he
believed the tax should be levied
as tar as might be on luxuries and the nee
essaries of life be placed ON the free .list as
far as possible. He was not IN favor of any
radical change in the tariff laws. for the busi
ness of the country was on a high tariff basis
and any radical or sudden change would dis !
turb the business interests. He was the last |
man who would interfere with the manufac-
turing interests, for he represented manu-
State, but as the peoples represen-
tatiye he would vote for the interest of the !
whole people. He strongly advocated plac-
ing wool on the free list, declaring that il
would work little injury to the grower, while
It would greatly benefit wooden mauufactur-
ers and give cheap clothing to the people
1t was about time for the gentlemen on the |
other side TO stop crying out that the demo-
cratic party was seeking to bring disaster
upon the country. 1t was Only trying to
carry out the fundamental principles of the
government aud apply equal taxes to all
1t was marvellous to witness
he love of the other side for the American
aborer. How was that labor protected? |
Why, it was about the only thing in which |
we did have real, Simon-pure free trade.
The committee then rose and the House
adjourned.