Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1890-05-23
1 HE. s FL TIN + l..
friday Morning......."""May %, 1890.
MR. BUTTER RORTH,S BOLT

on the Mckinley tariff bill has attracted
greater attention or caused more comment
than that of Representative Butterworth. |
The Geographic report was meagre, con-
densing into a.half column speech that |
would occupy several columns, but even
that brief report was sufficient 10 convey an
idea of its boldness, vigor and unexpected
ness"
MIR. Butterworth is one Of the ablest men
on the Republican side. He has always
been an advocate of the policy OF protec-
ton and took repeated occasions during his
speech to say that he was speaking in de-
Tense of that policy, seriously imperiled by
the extreme features Of the bill. He is a
leading member of the Ohio Republican
delegation and large part of his speech
was addressed specifically to his colleague
on the delegation who framed the measure
and is directly responsible for it. He was
allowed unlimited time for the delivery of
his Notwithstanding an hour instead OF
the five minutes allotted to each speaker
because it was understood that as an avo W.
ed protectionist who had given time to the
study of the subject of tariffs he would say
something worth hearing, even if his con.
illusions were not conceded in by part of
his hearers. In view of all these facts the
interest excited by his speech will be I'M
derstood and the disturbance of his more
hide-bound partisan colleagues can be i'm
agined A number Of them were so demon
allied by this totally unexpected fire in the
rear that they beat hasty retreat to the
cloak rooms and TO quarters where conso
lation could be attained. His attacks on
the Mckinley bill and on the policy of ex-
cessiye and unequal taxation it embodied
were frequently and heartily applauded
by the Democrats and by several Republi.
cans, who expressed their sympathy with
independent views by their applause, if they
dared not withhold their votes for the OBJ
jectionable features he condemned.
1t was singular coincidence, not to say
judgment, that no sooner had the death of
Randall silenced the voice of protective dis
sentn the democratic ranks than recalcitrant
Butterworth appeared among the Republi-
cans to veX their souls with free trade
dissent But turn about is fair play, and
the protectionists must take their medicine,
even if il kills them, as it in all probability
will
We call Mr.. Butterworth's splendid speech
in the House OF Representatives last week
free trade dissent because the Republicans
gave that name 10 the same views when
expressed by Democrats, and because his
arguments apply with the same force to any
protection at all that they do to excessive pro-
lection. When a speaker says that tariff
which gives an advantage TO one industry
above another IS not indictable, simply be.
cause il is not within the terms OF the statute,
and moi because it lacks the quality which
ought TO make il indictable," he can only
mean that the protective tariff in any and
every form is robbery. When he says that
by shutting out $17,0OO,00O worth of Cana.
dian farm products this country will destroy
its Canadian market for $20,000000 worth
of American products, mostly farm products
at that, he simply yields the whole debalable
ground between protection and free trade
Mr.. Butterworth denied that he was max
ing an assault upon the protective system.
He said that il there is Il danger TO the pro.
tectve system in this country it is found in
the extreme Of legislation toward free trade
on the one hand and the tendency To exces
sive tariff duties on the other.
The distinguished gentleman became
greatly in earnest and warmed up his hear
ers when he turned his attention to the
inequalities Of the tariff which protected
favored industries at the expense of others.
lie said:
No industry, whether il he manufacturing
sulDhuric acid or manufacturing pows or
harrows or manufacturing anything else, has
u right 10 any advantage over any other in.
dustry in the republic, because we know that
it is the tendency Of such an advantage, and
not merely the tendency but the TACT, to
draw blood from other industries to make
fat and pussy that which has been given the
advantage.
And the giving OF such an advantage to
Aany industry or .eltfss Of industries is not
sliESSSentiy described by merely saying that
il is unjust 1t goes far beyond that. 1t is
only not indctaUle because il is not within
the terms OF the statute, not because il lacks
the quality which ought to make it indict.
able. Applause
Mr. Chairman, 1 have word To say in
anothtr's behalf. | will not, however, de-
tain the committee nor abuse their patience.
have already indicated clearly and eff
clently my idea of the office and functions
of the protective tariff, and | would rather
resign my place upon this floor than go one
hatr ~, AEt. pt,A hal a
avoid it, OF course, would not set up my
Judgment against that OF the honorable gen
tlemen around me, but a. the same time |
desire, prayerlully and earnestly, " have it
understood that the people are beginning to
understand, or at least are beginning to in
quiie as to the reason why Paul is favored
and Peter turned down. Applause on the
Democratic side. Why, 10 an industry
where we hold the cogn of vantage against
all competitors, whether in Canada or Eng
land, the rest of the community should be
made TO add TO the profits which that par
ticular class OF industries win.
We are told that we need lot worry about
that, because competition will make it all
right. Will il? Is it not enough that every
industry in this country stands ON an equal
ity with yours? And when We have lifted
them all up by protective tariff and thrown
around them the shield Of full and adequate
protection tell me why it is that we should
draw from all the consumers OF the country
in order that the profits of favored tew
may be increased? l am not mistaken about
the effect that any mistake We might make
in that behalf would have upon this country
and upon the elections Tor the next ten years.
We all know perfectly well that there are
industries in this country in which the divi.
dends have been enormous. | can name
upon my ten fingers men whose combined
profits, in the last decade, have exceeded
those of all the agriculturists of any State in
this Union. Applause on the Democratic
side.
am not disturbed at this applause on the
other side.
Mr.. Anderson, Of Kansas, (Republican)-
Some Of it comes from this side OF the house.
The controversy as TO whether American
manufactures sell outside OF the United