Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-16
THE FREE WOOL BILL
Still Under Discussion in the House Of
Representatives.
HOW WALKER LOST HIS WATCH.
1t Was Not Convenient When the Time Came For
Him to Use It as an Illustration, But He
Still Had the Chsin-The Discussion
Growing Just Little Tiresome.

Growing Just Little IlreSone
WASHINGTON, March 1.-The tariff
discussion is beginning to tire the
House, and there was lack Of interest
in the proceedings to-day until Mr..
Walker, OF Massachusetts, who has a
very strong personality and expresses
his views in radical fashion, took the
floor.
A number OF Democrats stirred him
up with continuous cross-tire OF ques-
tions. During his speech he alluded 10
the decline in the price of watches, and
drew out his own time piece for the pur-
pose of making an illustration and laid
il on his desk until the time should ar
rive for him to make his point, but
some fun-loving member appropriated
it, and when Mr.. Walker desired TO re-
fer 10 it it was missing land he was
greeted with the suggestion that he
was fortunate to retain his chain.
On motion of Mr.. Durburow, OF IL
linois. a Senate joine resolution was
passed, authorizing the Librarian OF
Congress to exhibit certain documents
at the Worlds Fair.
Mr.. Enloe, from the Committee on
Postoffices and Post Roads, reported a
bill to repeal the mail subsidy act. 1t
was placed upon the calendar and the
minority was granted leave to file a
minority report.
Mr.. Sayres, of Texas, presented the
conference report on the urgent def
cheney bill and ii was agreed 10. AS
finally passed, the bill appropriates
S479,641, being S4l.22S more than was
carried by the bill as it passed the
House, as S23.3 less than 1t carried as
passed by the Senate. The House then
went into committee OF the whole, Mr..
Blount, of Georgia. in the Chair, on the
free wool bill. Mr.. Coombs concluded
his speech in favor of the bill.
In response to questions put by Mr..
Dingley, Mr.. Coombs said that the cot
ton manufacturer of this country had so
much TO do TO meet our eVer-increasing
trade that they had not paid proper at
tention to the foreign demand.
Mr.. Blaine, while member OF Presi-
dent Garfield's Cabinet, said that the
cost OF labor in cotton goods was as
cheap in the United States as in Eng
land. The reason why we did not ex-
port more prints was because we could
not supply them to the consumers when
they wanted them.
Mr.. Walker (Mass.) said that the
great body Of statements made by Dem
ocratic orators on the subject OF a pro-
tectiye tariff were not even technically
true. The manufacturers Of this coun-
try had not the slightest interest direct
ly in tariff. 1t was not of the slight
est interest 10 the manufacturers
whether we had free trade or protec-
ton. They were satisfied with one or
the other. II the tariff was not in the
interest of farmers and wage-workers
then he would vote to repeal it and
adopt a free trade.
Mr.. Dockery, MO- asked whether
the gentleman meant 20 say that manu-
facturers would be as prosperous under
free trade as under protection. Mr..
Walker replied in the affirmative.
Mr.. Dockery-Then under the theory
of protection the manufacturers merely
become disturbing agents.
Mr.. Walker-That is mere fiction.
Mr.. Dockery-That seems to be the
logic Of your position.
Mr.. Walker replied that the manu-
facturers OF the country, what was left
of them, would be more prosperous
under free trade than under protection,
but Congress was not legiSlating for the
manufacturers. 1t was leg!slating for
the farmers and wage workers. The
a.
country on the face Of the earth.
Mr.. Harter, OF Ohio, asserted that In
Canada the taxation was p per cent.
less than it was in the United States.
Mr.. Walker replied that Canada was
a country which had failed to collect its
taxes for its expenditures and was bur-
dened with debts. We had collected
our taxes and paid our debts.
Mr.. Walker was proceeding TO cite
authorities in support OF mis- position,
when he was advised by Mr.. Harter To
consult Mr.. Blaine.
Mr.. Walker-You may consult Mr..
Blaine as much as you like; ! choose the
man | wish to consult. Laughter. 0n
business questions, / consult business
men, not politicians.
Mr.. Walker entered into a general
defence of the Mckinley bill, declaring
that under it in one year our foreign
trade had increased S406, 900, 600, or -
per cent.
Mr.. Scott, of Ills, attacked the Nc
Kinley law.
Mr.. Chapman, of Mich, criticised the
recent speech Of eX-Speaker Reed and
said that Notwithstanding the decision
of the Supreme Court, he was still OF the
opinion that the counting OF quorum
under the rules of the Fifty-hrst Con
gress. was an unconstitutional act.
Mr.. Dockery, Of Mo-, followed. BE
said the Mckinley bill only increased
the burdens of the farmer and the
Blaine reciprocity scheme would prove
fallacious. 1t proposed that the natur.
al laws of trade should be disregarded
and that commerce should be regulated
by CORES pondence between State De
partments. The committee then rose
and the House adjourned.
In the Senate.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March l5.-Ir
the Senate Mr.. PETER introduced a bill
. Ia -.