Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-04
LTm. coNsREss-sECOND SESSION
WASHINGTON. January 8. 1889.
R0pnaa.

The presiding officer stated that he had eX-
amined the Presidents message OF Yesterday
In reference to the convention with China,
and found that It related and was supple
mental n matters which had already been
made public.
The message was thereupon read, laid on
the table. and ordered to be printed.
The Senate At 1920 resumed consideration
Of the tariff bin, the pending question be-
ing on MIR. Vests amendment to paragraph
$40, TO change the duty on cotlon'thread,
warn, warps. &C., valued at not exceeding
% cents per pound, from 10 cents per pound
20 3J per cent. ad valOrem. Mr.. Vance pro.
ceeded to gise the statistics OF the produc-
tIon and consumpSIon Of cotton, showing an
enormous increase within the last two years.
lie said that SINCE 1856 the increase OF con-
sumption OF cotton In the northern mills has
been nearly 300 per cent. and In the south
ern mills over 600 per cent. This latter result,
he said, was pot only astonishing, but was TO
him particularly gratifying. because every
particle OF cotton made n the South had
been made without the beReiit OF SINGLE
dollar OF protection, and not only in compe-
tltion with the mills OF old England, but
also with those OF New England. The
coarse cottOns OF the South were not
affected by protection. but they not only
supplied the local demand OF all the South
and Southwest, but were uSurping TO
great extent the markets OF the North
west, so much was tins the case
that few years ago the sptnners OF
similar coarse goods in the northern
mills applied TO the great railroad trunk
lines for SPECIAL rates, on the ground that
except they got some advantage OF the
southern mills by special freight rates they
would be drawn out OF the market Not
q. To-. -f,Ntll1 fol ON.
pretty much all OF the American market for
coarse goods, but large quantities of south
cru coiton-goods were exported TO foreign
countries. On this point he read letter
from the manager OF q southern cottOn-mill,
stating, in substance, that the tarln did not
affect the price Of those goods at all, but
rather increased their cost of production by
duty on the machinery aud articles enter
inc into production, aud that, If the cost Of
the plant was reduced the prices OF coarse
cotton goods would rule much lower in this
country, could be exported to a much greater
extent than at present, and the milling inte-
res, would be largely increased. After
quoting from the statements OF Consul
Schanhof as to the less relative cost OF cotton
manufactured in the United States than in
Europe, Mr.. Vance asked what protection
was for II these statements were correct
and II they were not they would have been
successfully couiradicted long ago. IL could
not be for the benefit OF the operative, be-
eause--althOugh his earnings were some
what larger than those OF the English opera
tive--that fact WAS not due 10 the tariff
Why, be asked, should the United States,
80 admirably fitted for the production OF
cotton. occupied by people whose genius was
duected 10 ITS production, where all ele-
ments OF Its successful manufacture were 10
a.. - M kaN
there was almost a monopoly OF raw mate
rial, hamper its statute-boOks with laws
which could only have the effect OF restricting
trade. and which could not put any more
money into the pockets OF the "oeloved
workingmsn?" Now that il WAS shown that
the United States were able to send cotton
cloths and yarns 10 Great Britain and all
her possessions aud TO compete with Great
Britain successfully In all the markets Of the
world, what was 10 hinder the United States
from doing sol lie declared that the Senate
substitute was a step backward in the dlrec.
ton OF the dark ages, and thSt the increase OF
duties on the cotton schedule would amount
70 at least bali million dollars.
Ar the close of Mr.. Nsnee's speech the vote
Wa taken on MIR. Vests amendment and 1t
was feiected-yeas. 20; nays, q.
Mr., Vest called attention 10 the other
items ia paragraph 3lS, but said be would
not offer any amendments or ask the Yea and
nav vote upon them; hut he would simply
remark that the duty on these items was In
creased Ia order to exclude all foreign COM
pe.ttiou ~ far IS possible so as 90 enable the
American manufacturers TO hold the market
al whatever price they saw tit 10 impose.
lie moved, however, to amend paragraph
slA, relasing 10 spoolthread OF cotton, by
striking out al cents per dozen spools
and inserting 40 per cent ad yalorem."
Aiser q bong discussion tue amendment
wss reiected--yeas, IS; nays, 81.
No furiber amendment was offered 20
paragraph 8i4; nsr was sny offered TO para
graphs $40. $40. or 81 (all relating 10 cotton
cloth).
MI. Vance moved to amend paragraph 3lS
(cotton cloth not bleached, dyed, coored,
stained, painted, or printed by substituting
40 per cent. 81 yal0rem instead OF 80 and AZ
cents per square yard, and be argued m IA.
vor OF his amendment, butt was rejected
Is 60 y.
Dir. Vance moved 10 amend the same psra-
graph BY reducing the rate on such cotton
eleth, when valued at over ~ cents per
square yard. from a. to 40 per cent Rd yalo-
rem. Reiec,ed-l7 20 22. No further smend-
ment was offered 10 paragraph SiS Mr..
Vance moved 10 amend paragraph 3l9 By
siriklag out rates ~, 81. and CT cents per
square ward on cotton cloth, net hseached,
sesortisng 10 ssssklcation. and inserting 40
ner cent ad valoreul. Rejected by the same
vote.
Mr. Pngh proceeded 10 address the Senate
In . set speech on the subject OF The tsrin.
he asserted that In framing The iarin law