Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-05-31
IRON AND STEEL RODS.
Congressman AbbOtts Spec oh on the
Tariff Question.
He Shows How Protective Tariff Does Not
Protect the Farmer-The FaIlacy
of the Theory.
Correspondence of the Gazette.

Correspondence of the Gazette.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-The following
is the full text of Judge Abbott IS speech
on the tariff with special reference to
iron and steel rods. His speech was one
of the dearest on this question presented
during the debate and he was warmly
congratulated by his colleagues. Judge
Abbott said:
Mr.. Chairman, two days ago I offered an
amendment to paragraph Isl, relat ing to iron
and steel rods used for nails and fencing, on
which desire to make few remarks.
am aware that the pending bill does not alter
existing law in so far as the paragraph 1 pro-
pose to amend is concerned, but the amendment
/ offer ought, nevertheless, to be adopted, as it
will benefit the people of very large section of
our country.
iron and steel rods used for rlvets, nail, and
fencing were imported into this country.
These rods cost abroad one and fourteenth cents
per pound, and paid as duty SSIs,-
73i 20 or 1914 per cent. ad valorem.
Mr.. Chairman, the Republican party has al
ways claimed to be the friend of labor, and in
its platform of principles has declared in favor
of protective policy under the pretext that
such policy will benefit the labor of the coun-
try.
But judging that party by the existing tariff
law which was passed by Republican congress
and approved by Republican president, and by
the proposed legislation contained IN this
bill, / am forced to conclude that the farmer is
not of that class of labor meant to be protected;
for the reason that, instead of protecting him
from the greed of the manufacturer, it is pro-
posed by this bill to largely increase
the heavy tribute he is now made
to pay to nearly every manufacturing
establishment in the country.
Mr.. Chairman. in the timberless regions of
the West and Southwest, where it is impossible
to obtain other material than wire to inclose the
farm and ranch, why impose duty Of si1-
tenths of one cent per pound on iron and steel
rods used for nails and fencing material? Why
end ctr noT1Urfu
of this country, who have already grown rich
and powerful, at the expense in part of the
pioneer farmer OF the West, whose energy. m
dustry, and courage are developing and openint
that great section OF our country to settlemeng
and civilization?
In all candor ask representatives of the prai-
RE regions of the West how they justify
their support of a measure which imposes this
tar on the only material their constituents can
use to inclose their farms, when the money IS
not needed by the government, but which tax
helps to make richer the iron and steel trusts
and monopolies OF the East by preventing for
eign manufacturers from competing with themg
Mr.. Chairman, within the past few years the
government of the United States has expended
many millions of dollars to support military
establishment, composed of large number of
officers, many of whom live in idleness and ease
at the expense of the government, and skele-
eton of army, under the pretext that the
same is necessary TO protect our frontier.
While all honor and credit are due to those
brave and gallant officers and men who were
sent to the front to drive back, pursue and cap
ture marauding bands OF Aexicans and Indians,
vet 1 verify believe the bold and hardy FROM
tiersman have done more in the way OF opening
up to settlement the vast region Of the West
than all our armies. While the soldiers OF
large part of our army have been lying around
in their quarters in idleness, the sturdy pioneer
and frontiersman have been moving forward,
Arriving the savage into the home reserved for
pim by the government. where be IS fed and
NOTIFIED and protected partly at their expense.
- II the tax paid by our pioneer farmers for
faAcing material were needed by the govern
mslAt which is not the case, rather than collect
- + would reduce our military establishment,
- ~ the law which allows retired officers to
.ePS,s1.Sly withdraw from the treasury over q
hsn5s 81 these tax payers.
NJ y n! airmaD, these remarks apply with
- - al force TO the farmers and farm
Ishorysrs eJ eryWhere. This bill instead of CIV