Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-08-27
senator raulkner's Great speech.

In the Senate on Thursday last Senator
Faulkner made a great speech on the tariff.
We can only outline it.
He began by referring to the universal
effect Of our tariff legislation and its partic-
ular bearing upoa the policies and legisla-
tive enae;ments Of The different countries on
this side Of the Atlantic, that our institu-
ton. laws and customs were, to a certain ex-
tent. the criterion for the formation and de-
yelopment of the institutions and policies Of
of these governments, and we should handle
with care a question which in the end might
act TO our Disadvantage through similar leg
islation upon the part ofcountries with whom
we had commercialrelalious in this hemis-
phere. He questioned the constitutional
right of this government to levy taxes be-
yond the amount required for its economi-
cal administration, for the purpose Of foster
ing and benefting private corporations and
individuals, and for the purpose Of discrim-
mating in favor of certain industries OF our
country to the disadvantage Of others; and
in sustaining this position quoted from the
Supreme Court decision found in case OF
Loan Association vs.. Topeka 30 Wall, 657l.
and also from the Maine ana Pennsylvania
Reports.
lie showed the varying attitudes which
the Republican party has assumed on this
tariff question caused not by q change in the
economic conditions of the people aud the
country, but in the changed political condi-
tions. which at different periods had con-
fronted that party That up to the year
1883. the Republican party, and in fact no
other party, had ever advanced q fiscal pol
lev. and inserted plank in its platform
which advocated the idea of protection per
Sc. with the revenue as a mere incident, aud
to sustain this view, compared the different
platforms Of the Republican party during
the last eighteen years. Mr.. Faulkner then
spoke of the partnership existing between
the Republican party and the manuiactur-
ers. and quoted the statement of the editor
of the Tariff League Bulletin, which Is con-
sidered reliable authority upon this subject
to show that three fourths of all the money
contributed for the support Of Republican
ism and Protection" was contributed by men
directly or indirectly interested in manufac-
lures. and said that it was a matter Of gem
eral reputation and newspaper comment that
such o partnership existed, but that on this
point he would not rest his argument, but
base it upon the statement made by protee-
ton organs and the admissions Of Republic
can leaders on the floor of the Senate.
In speaking Of the increase in taxation by
this Legislature Mr. Faulkner said this bill,
taking in connection with the Admiaistra-
tive Customs BILL would make an active in
crease i'm taxation of from p to 50 per cent
in excess of the tariff Of 1888, on the prime
necessities of life and that the few articles
put on the free list would tend 10 reduce
the cost Of manufactures, while the dutiable
list would increase the protection Of the
manufactured products and would also in
crease to the consumer the price of these
commodities.
In referring to the necessity for this ill.,
crease the Senator showed that our ordinary
expenses between 1866 and 1889 have de-
creased s237, 600, 600, and our public debt
has decreased 81 ,SOO,OOO,O0o, aud yet this
bill proposes to increase theaverage I'D val
orem rate of taxation from S4l.S4 on the
800 to s5l.97 on the Sl00. The aggregate
taxation for State and county purposes is
S251 per capita, while the average tax for
the support of the Federal Government Is
S7l9 per capita, and to this must be added,
according to Professor Arthur L. Perry, the
sum paid in bounties by the con-
sumer to the manufacturer Of protected arti-
cles. which averages almost Sl4 per capita.
He showed by statistics the decline of wages
in protected occupations and an increase in
the unprotected. lie showed the fallacy of
some of the Republican arguments that the
tariff ,essened the cost TO consumers, and de-
clared that the duty was the main reason
why Trusts and combines were possible.
He also went into a lucid argument to show
that the proportion Of the wealth OF the
country owned By the farmers had declined
from one-half to one-fourth under high pro-
lection.
Gen. W. II. T. Lee was re-nominated for