The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-01-09
TO DEVELOP OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Features of Yesterdays Discussion
OF the Tariff Biz.
Protection which will Benefit the
North and South Alike.
The House Deadlock Broken and
FIIIbusterIng Continued.

day Mr.. Jones of Arkansas moved to amend
paragraph 339. which taxes bagging for cot
ton. gunny cloth, etc., for covering cotton,
composed wholly or partly of hemp, jute or
jute butts valued at not more than three
cents pound three quarters Of cent per
pound. by putting 1t on the free list.
Mr.. Jones made statement as to the COM
bination entered into last year by the cotton
bagging trust
Mr.. George thought the proposed tax on
cotton bagging was u very great injustice to
the laborers Of the South. The trust was
conspiracy by which the South had been
robbed and he asked whether the Senate was
going to give to ii an opportunity of contin-
uing such robbery. IL so, Senators would
become aiders and abettors Of those "infer-
nal conspirators," every one of whom ough
to be In the penitentiary, and would be un-
der any system Of just, wise and economical
laws.
Mr.. Allison said the present duty on cot
ton bagging was one and oRe-half cents per
pound. The rate proposed was only half
that A part reduction had been proposed
because the raw material QUITE butts) now
paying So ton was to be put on the free
list. He believed, from all the testimony,
that the proposed rate was the lowest that
could be fixed. IL cotton bagging was to be
made In the United States, one-eighth cent
per pound more would be necessary to allow
successful competition with foreign
countries. The question was, whether
under existing conditions, it was wise to
have cotton bsgging and other manufactures
made in the United States, or whether it
was wiser TO root up, In detail, every manu-
featuring industry In the country and have
all the manufactured goods made elsew here.
The raw material Of cotton bagging (jute)
was produced exclusively in India. Its man
ufacture into cotton bagging had grown up
In this country so that there was now ma
chinery sufficient to produce double the
amount OF bagging needed for covering the
cotton OF the United States, and up to last
year competition had been so close that bag
out profit.
Mr.. Frye said that in his city there had
been cotton bagging mill lying idle four
years, because 1t could not by any possibil-
ity make profit. 1t was recently offered for
sale sale at $4,000, while its original cost was
Discussion was continued at length by
Messrs. Allison, George. Platt, Butler,
Jones. Of Arkansas, Aldrich, Hiscock and
Vance.
Mr.. Sherman remarked that the Southern
Senators greatly misrepresented their sec
ton In supporting the proposed amendment.
Their remedy would be not in having cotton
bagging admitted free, but in producing jute,
ana ramie which could be produced In the
South as cheaply as in India. He believed
that If a reasonable duty were put on ramie
and jute, all such raw material could be pro-
duced in the South and would be among the
most valuable products Of that section.
Mr.. Sherman went on TO say that for the
South the cultivation Of such textile fabrics
was the way to prosperity.
Mr.. Coke spoke of the great progress made
In the South in the last 10 years, and said the
Southern people had only just commenced In
their career OF prosperity. They would de-
velop the South and make 1t the great coun-
try nature intended 1t to be. They had vast,
almost unlimited resources. All they want
ed was light taxes and honest government.
The rest they would do for themselves. They
wanted no tariff duties for protection, and
would pay custom house taxes for the sup
port Of the government, but no more than
was absolutely necessary. AS to Mr.. Sher-
mans proposition to put a duty on jute and
ramie, he would simply say, THANK you.
but we will cultivate that in due time. We
are doing other things now more profitable
We will get to jute and ramie in a little while
and will do so without protective tariff. All
we ask of the government is to keep their
hands of and let us alone. We will do the
rest"
Mr.. Sherman said In country separated
frem the rest Of the world by form Of gov
ernments Of other nations, it was the right
and duty of the people to conduct their af-
fairs so as TO develop the resources Of the
whole country. Amy policy beneficial only
to the North would be unjust and wrong. He
believed the time was not far distant when
men Of the South would catch the spirit Of
the future; when the South would be not
only rich In agriculture, but also in manufac-
lures. Meantime, until the South was able
TO sell jute and ramie in competition with
No.. kI.aG nI. Hrc
ed by reasonable, proper duty on these arti-
cles. Such duty would undoubtedly startd
their arowth in the South.
Mr.. Vance made humorous speech In re-
ply. He thanked Mr.. Sherman for his good
advice, but said that, in the language of
Capt Bunsby, the point of the Senator'S
observation lay in the application OF IL. The
meaning OF 1t was TO keep the South quiet
under system of taxation by which the
pockets Of Northern manufacturers were
filled.
As to the advice given the South to emu
late the Nerth, and manufacture for itself,
he would simply ask the pertinent question:
"What in that case would become of North
ern manufacturers? That reminded him of
the case Of the fellow, who in burst Of pat,
who, when his wife said John, suppose
you get killed, what is to become OF me ?"
replied, What would become of the devil.
You had better ask. what would become OF
me| Laughter.l Suppose" said MT
medicines, your hair dyes, your wooden
hams, your hickory nutmegs, your left hand
raZoTs and your double bladed gimlets, which
you protect from home competition by pat
ents, what would become Of you, and how
long would it be before change would come
over the spirit Of your dream, and the thing
which once so delighted you would do so no
longer? / am tired OF paternal advice. 1t Is
not necessary to tell the Southern planter
that he should abandon raising cotton, on
which he makes profit Of $50 an acre, and
60 to raising ramie in competition with an
Indian laborer at eight cents per day. There
Is no sincerity in that kind Of advice. There
Is no philosophy In 1t, and no business in IL. !"
Mr.. Jones amendment was rejected; yeas,
10; nays, "a. Mr. Brown voting with the Re-
publicans. The value limit Of three cents
per pound In the paragraph was raised to
three and one-half cents.
Mr.. Allison gave notice that unless better
progress were made with the bill he would
tomorrow or the next day, move evening
sessions. The Senate then adjourned.