The record-union., 1892-03-16
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS.
TARIFF DISCUSSION CONTINUED IN
THE HOUSE.
Walker of Massachusetts Stirred Up
by Continuous Cross-Fire of Ques-
tions From the Democrats.
Special to the REcoRD-UNroN.

WASHINGTON, March 15.-The tariff
discussion is beginning to tire the House
and there is evident lack of interest in
the proceedings. However, interest was
revived to-day somewhat when Walker
of Massachusetts, took the floor. A num-
Der of Democrats stirred him up with a
continuous cross-fire of questions. Dur
ing his speech he alluded to the decline
in the price of watches, taking his own
timepiece out of his pocket and placing
1t on his desk until ready to make the
point. 1t was appropriated by some fun
loving member, and when he looked for
it 1t was suggested that he (Walker) was
fortunate to keep the chain.
The conference report on the urgency
deficiency bill was presented and agreed
to. AS passed the bill appropriates
$479, ,6l.
The House then went into the Com
mittee of the Whole on the free wool bill.
Coombs of New York concluded his
speech in favor of the bill.
After Mr.. Coomhs finished speaking
Walker of Massachusetts said most of the
statements made by the Democratic ora
tors on the subject of protective tariff
were not even technically true The man
utacturers of this country had not the
slightest interest directly in the tariff
1t was not of the slightest interest to the
manufacturers whether we have free trade
or protection. They were satisfied with
one or the other. Ii the tariff was not in
the interest of the farmers and wage
workers, then he would vote to repeal it
and adopt free trade.
Dockery of Missouri asked whether
| the gentleman meant to say that the man
ufacturers would be as prosperous under
free trade as protection, and Walker re-
piled in the affirmative,
Mr.. Dockery-Then, under the theory
of protection, the manufacturers merely
become disbursing agents.
Walker-That is mere fiction.
Dockery-That seems to 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 legislatlng for the manufacturers. 1t
was legislatlng for the farmers and wage
workers. This was the lowest taxed
country on the face Of the earth.
Harter of Ohio asserted that in Canada
taxation was twenty-five per cent. less
than III the United States.
| Walker replied that Canada was a
country which had failed to collect its
taxes for its expenditures, and was bur-
dened with debts. We have collected our
taxes and paid our debts. Walker was
proceeding TO cite authorities in support
of this position, when Harter advised him
| to consult Blaine.
Walker You may consult him as
much as you like. I choose the man I
wish to consult. Gaughter.) On bust
| ness questions l consult business men,
not politicians" Walker then entered
into general defense of the Mckinley law
declaring that in year our foreign trade
had increased q per cent. on account of
| the laws provisions.
h Scott Of Tllin0iS he Iou, 1,ol1
| ing up its injustice and inequalities as
i bearing on the consumer, and laying
| special stress on the unconstitutionality
of the sugar bounty provisions.
Chipan OF Michigan said, notwithstand-
ing the supreme Court decision, he was
| still OF the opinion that the counting of
a quorum under the rules of the Fifty
! first Congress was unconstitutional. He
then denounced the system of protection
as building up the few at the expense OF
many.
Dockery of Missouri said the Mckinley
bin only increased the farmers burdens.
and the reciprocity scheme would prove
| fallacious.
The committee rose and the House ad-
journed.
IN THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, March 15.-In the Senate
| to-day Berry introduced bill for the ad-
iustnlent of the rights of Indians in In
dian Territory, with the view of having
the Territory admitted as a State
Morgan introduced 3 bill to increase the
! facilities of the Postoffice Department for
obtaining the use of buildings for post
Office purposes. 1t proposed TO interest
! private capital in the construction of post
| Office buildings on long terms of lease.
| PETER introduced bin to regulate the
value of coins aud pieces of money OF GER
! tain kind, TO give all sorts of current
money q legal tender quality, and pro-
hibit and prevent discrimination in favor
of gold coin or bullion as money
The conference reporton the urgentsde-
| ficiency bill was agreed TO, and the mill
| tary appropriation bill passed.
After an executive session the Senate
| adjourned.