Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-02-12
TARLFF REBORN.

An interesting debate developed in the
House of Delegates on Thursday of last
week over the resolution presented by Mr.
Laird that the House place itself on record
as favoring tariff reform, as enunciated by
Grover Cleveland and the Mills bill In
presenting the resolution Mr.. Laird said
that, as he presumed the question Is one
that would meet with general appreciation,
he suggested that 1t be not referred to any
committee, but be made the special order of
business for o'clock on Thursday of this
week. Mr. Joyce opposed this, and moved
that it be referred to the committee on fed.
eral relations. In support of his motion
Mr. Joyce argued that the question was one
that should not be sustained by the House.
He was fully in accord with the principle
laid down in the resolution, and favored
tariff reform, but he thought the House
would have sufficient to occupy its time In
legislation for the State without going into
matters that Congress was competent to dis.
pose OF. He thought the resolution was in.
opportune and should not be considered.
The views held by Mr.. Joyce were supported
by Mr.. Field and Mr.. Carter. The reference
to the committee was vigorously opposed by
Messrs. Laird, EllegoOd, Bryan and Sans.
Each Of these gentlemen made strsng argu-
ments UNFOLDING the spirit and purpose of
the resolution and succeeded In arousing
the enthusiasm of the House. The telling
points they made were literally appauded.
Mr.. Ellegood and Mr. Laird said they were
surprised that any Democrat representing
Democratic Maryland constituency could
be found who would oppose the adoption OF
any measure lavoring tariff reform, the fun.
damental principle of the Democratic party
Mr.. Bryan said that he was ready now to
vote on the adoption Of the resolution. The
doctrine set forth was sound and broad and
there was no reason for any Democrat to
delay In expressing his opinion or record.
ing his vote in favor of the principle. The
motion of Mr.. Joyce that the resolution be
referred to the committee on federal rela.
tions was defeated BY a vote Of As to 81.
On motion Of Mr.. Laird the resolution was
made the order of the day for yesterday at
o'clock. The resolution is as follows.
"Resolued, That 1t is the sense of this House
that the House of Representatives of the
United States Congress, now under the con.
troll OF the Democratic party, should deal
with the subject of tariff reform, whether
by general bill or otherwise, upon the broad
lines marked out by President Ceveland's
message Of December. 1887, and the Mills
bill, In order that the party may enter upon
the great contest of 1892 with q definite
policy, which will convince the country
that II does not mean 10 take any backward
step, ana that Its faith In the common sense
and conscience Of the people Is unshaken."
Speaking Of the above resolution Attor.
nsy General John P. Poe says: "Mr. Laird's
resolution has the true Democratic ring and
should be adopted without dissent 1t voices
In few words the deep seated conviction Of
the Democracy Of this State and Of the
Union upon the overshadowing and para.
mount political issue Of the day, and ii is of
the utmost Importance that the attitude of
Maryland upon the subject should be made
so clear as to admit OF no Misrepresentation
or misrepresentation. The hope of the party
In this the supreme hour OF Its destiny Is an
appeal TO the masses Of the people upon this
single issue, and an emphatic declaration
OF our resolute purpose to fight the political
battle OF 1899 upon this line is both timely
and Invaluable. Mr.. Poe added that be could
not be too emphatic or direct In express.
ing his views on the tariff as the great Demo.
cratic issue In which the people are more
deeply concerned than anything else. He
recalls the fact that during the last cam.
paign in Maryland he had found every
where, from one end Of the State 10 the
other, the deepest interest in the tariff, and
that the name OF Cleveland in connection
with that reform provoked the widest en-.
thusiasm. There can be no doubt, he con.
cludsd, about the situation or that tariff re.
form will be the slogan Of 1892.
II is recalled that the resolution of Mr..
Laird is not without abundant precedent In
the House Of Delegates, which disposes of
another Of the objections raised against it,
Ia 1886 Mr.. Paul Winchester offered such
resolution, which was adopted by the entire
Democratic vote Of the House, and In 1888
DR.. Mackall, a member from Cecil county,
offered joint resolution approving of the
policy Of the very message Of Mr.. Cleveland
which is now approved by the resolution OF
Mr. Laird. II was adopted. the Democrats
all voting for 1t aud the Republicans against
it. !