Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-10-15

hibtory tariff in the interests ofthe manufacturer
is the distinguished Senator from New York, MI.
Hiscock.
Senate between him and the Senator from KAN
sas, Mr. Plumb, he frankly admitted that IN ar
ranging the details OF the bill, he voted on the
rates OF duty imposed without the slightest re-
gard TO whether il would increase or decrease the
revenue" whether he believed that the effect OF
the duty was 10 create or foster a healthy indus
try here and give a market for our own manu-
features"
Mr.. President, the Republican party has been
shown by direct as well as circums anlial evi-
dence to 10 have surrendered Internationally 10
the direction and guidance OF those whose inter
ests are identified with the protected industries,
and who are seeking. by an increase oil rates oil
duty. to put It in the power OF grasping monopo-
lies through trusts and combines, 10 control the
markets in which the people are bound 10 pur-
chase These ties of reciprocal interest have
grown so strong that but little hope can be enter
tanned that they can ever be severed.
The energies of the Republican party are di-
reced its aspirations stimulated. and the wis
dom ofits statesmen is guided by those who have
contributed more than three-fourths OF all the
money used in the support OF "Republicanism and
protection" This arrogant, aggressive. and DOM
ineering partner, in consideration oil the personal
emoluments and private benefits which were TO
follow success, literally contributed to the fund
To be used in selecting, controlling and voting
those blocks OF i've that victory might cement
the bonds of this ''unholy alliance" Through the
sacrifice of cash and principle that party 10 DAY
controls every branch OF the Federal Government
The partnership thus formed has been tempo
rarily successful; the cash partner now 1ernanus
a settlement of the partnership and redemption
of the outstanding promises. The bill now before
US for consideration is an evidence oil good iaitn
on the part of the partner whose capital was ex-
perieuce and promises. The pledge then mage
must be redeemed, though in doing so the Constr
tuition be violated. The tariff must be revised,
not with a view 10 raise revenue, but 10 eheck
imports of such articles as are produced by our
people" Territories with a populatiouone-third
less than sufficient to cntitle them TO representa-
ton in the House of Representatives must be al
mtted into the Cpion and clothed with all the
functions, privileges and powers OF state. that
the fruits Of this compact may be indefinitely en-
joyed In a few DAYS will witness the nnai
contamination Of this agreement, which VIII DINO
the arms of labor more tightly and leave the
interest of agriculture in more deploTaDle condi-
ton than we ind it to- day.
REVIEW OF TARIFF LEGISLATION.
Mr. President, review Of the tariff legislation
since 1857 must convince the most incredulous
that the revenue laws framed by Republican Con-
crosses have been so designed that the interests
OF the great mass of our people, who represent
the consumers Of all the various products of this
country, have been forgotten or purposely ignored
in the interest of those few who have reaped the
benefit of those laws which have Disseminated
against labor and in favor OF accumulated capi-
tai.
The average adj valorem rate under the revenue
tariff of 1890 did not exceed - per cent, which
average was reduced by the tariff of 1857 to 10 per
cent. The Morrill, tariff of 1900 was introduced
with the avowed purpose OF restoring the average
ad valorum rates Of the tariff of 1886 In 1904 the
rates were increased TO. q per cent, and IN 1904
there was a further increase 10 AZ per cent. ana
from that period until the general revision OF iso;
there were numerous acts passed which afeeted
al he'd
ules of the tariff but one that materially changed
the ad valorem average under that tariff In 1852
the popular clamor for revision and reduction OF
tariff taxation became so strong that the advocates
OF a high protective tariff found it necessary to
apparently yield TO the wishes OF the people by
the appointment Of a commission composed oil the
representatives OF protected capital, some oil whom
had large pecuniary interests invested IN Amer,
can manufactures; and yet, sir. they were forced
to admit in their report, found on page OF the
first volume, that
Early in its deliberations the commission be-
came convinced that substantial reduction OF
tariff duties is demanded not by mere indis-
crmina,e popular clamor but by the best con-
servative opinion of the country, including that
which has in former times been most strenuous
for the preservation of our national industrial de-
feuses. Such reduction of the existing tariff The
commission regards not only as due recognition
OF public sentiment and measure OF justice 10
consumers but one conducive to the general in
dustrial prosperity and which, though IL may De
temporarily announcement will be ultimately ben
duciOn No rates of defensive duties, except Tor
the establishment Of new industries. which more
than cquaize the conditions of labor and capital
with those of foreign competitors can be JUSTIFIED.
Excessive daties, or those above such standard oil
equalization, are positively injurious TO the in
terrst which they are supposed TO benefit
Excessive duties generally, or exceptionally high
duties III particular cases discredit our whole ma
tional economic system and furnish plausible
arguments for its complete Subversion.
Entertaining these views. the commission mas
sought 10 present scheme OF tariff duties IN
which substantial reduction should be the distin-
gushing feature. The average reduction in rates,
including that from the enlargement OF the free
li-t and the abolition Of duties on charges and
commissions, at which the commission has armed,
i not less on the average than 20 per cent ana II
i the opinion Of the commission that the reduc-
ton will reach . per cent"
Mr. President the recommendation Of The COM
mission that the reduction should. on AN average,
equal from to IS per cent, had but little iniiu
ence on Congress, a. the reduction made by that
bill as IL passed Congress was but per cent less
than the war tariff OF 1874. Many of the most inn
pottant schedules such those relating 10 cotton
cloths, readymade clothing, and iron, were mate
rally increased.
rEe work Of this commission is entitled only TO
such credit a. Is usually given to the evidence OF
witnesses who testify against their own interests
II was constituted for a particular purpose, and
represented but single interest to be affected by
lis recommendations
This criticism l. not only warranted by the re-
suits which have followed their recommendation,
but It's influence upon Congress is clearly illus
iratcd b. the following observation made by The
distinguished Senator from Iowa Mr.. Ailisoul,
who on February s. 1883, said:
Now want 10 say one word in regard TO the
tariff commission report upon the cotton scredule
The truth is that the taril commission did not ex
anime this cotton matter at all; IL may as well be
said on the floor OF the Senate; nor did they make
this schedule that is called the tariff commission
report schedule. 1t was made by cotton manu-
facturer from Boston, with expert appraiser
q Ne he IA
il. When the knowledge of that fact came 70 me
had no particular faith in the tariff ommission
report on this cotton schedule and therefore eN-
ahmed II a. best could for myself, hearing Inc
witnesses. reading the testimony, and hearing
people who supposed. knew something about It
and in whom had faith"
Ia this a. in all other instances in which the
public have been taken into the confidence OF
those who have fuanagedard controlled The policy
OF cur tariff legislation, we ind that the arrogant
demands OF the representatives OF those Interests
and the agents employed by them. are the instfr-
mens winch dictate the details which fasten apon
ths people this burdensome taxation.
Mr. President, again the public sentiment
which demanded a reduction of taxation was de
teated by the manipulation Of those IN the inter
esis of the protected industries. For seven years
the people have borne this onerous taxaiion the
accumniations Of their isbor have been taken
from them BY forced cxactionS under authority OF
law. when The public needs did not require this
sacrihce. an enormous surplus was annually being
accumulated in the vaults Of the Treasury, until
slir tuiNlHiStIation win Nlc"Oi i--tOli"S ~ te
circulation OF the country the money nDnscessaT-
iiv Withdrawn from H. was forced. III addition 10
The amount iequired for the sinking fund. 10 pur-
chase II premium bonds that were not due or
payable aud which could only be obtained By the
payment o: tie price demanded by the holders
For twenty-five wears. sir, the powers or this
Government have b. en- used BY small minority
Of l. citizens 10 check By artificial means The
grow IT, prosperity anddevricpnient OF agriculture
IN the interest Of the manufacturers OF the coun-
try.
The taxes paid to the Government by con-
sinners of the imported articles and the bounties
paid 70 the manufacturer by the consumer under
the tariff IateS for this period won average over
a billion OF dollars annually, and furnishes suft
cient explanation why the great agricultural in
dustTy j Hoss IN % 'deploraoie condition. why