The morning call., 1892-03-16
THE HOUSE.
The Debate on the Tariff Bill CONTINUE ed
With Some Interest.

The Debate on the Tariff Bill Continued
With Some interest.
The tariff discussion IS beginning TO tire
the House and there is a lack of interest in
the proceedings. However, some interest
was manifested to-day when Walker, a Re-
publican of Massachusetts, took the floor.
A number of Democrats stirred him. up
with continuous cross fire of questions,
During his speech he alluded to the decline
in the price of watches, taking his own time
piece out Of his pocket and placing it on his
desk until ready to make his point. 1t was
appropriated temporarily by a fun-loving
member, and when he looked for it it was
suggested that he (WalkeE) was fortunate
TO keep the chain.
The conference report on the urgent de-
fciency bill was presented and agreed to.
AS passed the bill appropriates S479,64I.
The House then went into committee of
the whole on the free wool bill. Coombs of
New YORK concluded his speech in favor of
the bill.
Walker of Massachusetts, said that most
of the statements made by the Democratic
orators on the subject of the protective tariff
were not even technically true. The manu-
facturerS OF this country had not the slight
est interest directly in the tariff. 1t was
not of the slightest interest to the manu-
facturers whether we have free trade or
protection. They were satisfied with one
or the other. If the tariff was not in the n-
terest of the farmers and wageworkers then
he would vote to repeal it and adopt free
trade.
Dockery Of Missouri asked whether the
gentleman meant to say manufacturers
would be as prosperous under free trade as
protection, and Walker replied in the affirm
atlve.
Dockery-Thep. under the theory of pro-
lection the manufacturers merely become
diSbursing agents?
Walker-That is mere fiction.
Dockery-That seems 10 be the logic Of
your position.
Walker replied that the manufacturers of
the country (what was left of them) would
be more prosperous under free trade than
protection. But Congress was not legiS-
| lating for manufacturerS-it was legislating
| for the farmers and wageworkers. This
| was the lowest taxed country on the face Of
| the earth.
| Harter of Ohio asserted that in Canada
| the taxation was 25 per cent less than In the
| United States.
Walker replied that Canada was a country
| which had failed to collect its taxes for its
expenditures, and was burdened with debts.
1--WE have collected our taxes and paid our
debts" Walker was proceeding to cite
| authorities in support of his position, when
| Harter advised him to consult Blaine.
Walker-fou may consult as much asyou
| like. / choose my own man when wiShto
| consult. lLaughter.] On business questions
| l consult business men, not politicians.
Walker then entered into general de-
fense of the Mckinley law, declaring that
| i'll year our foreign trade mad increased q
| per cent on account of the laws provisions.
| Scott of Illinois attacked the law, holding
up its injustice and inequalities as bearing
on the consumer. and laying special stress
ON the nconstitutionality of the sugar.
| bounty provision.
Chipman of Michigan said that notwith
standing the Supreme Court decision he
was still of the opinion the counting of q
| quorum under the rules of the Fifty-frs
| Congress was unconstitutional. He ther
| denounced the system Of protection as build
ing up few at the expense of the many
Dockery of Missouri said the Mckinley
bill only increased the farmers burdens
and the reciprocity scheme would prov,
| faliacious.
The committee then rose and the Hous,
| adjourned.