The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-16
IN THE HOUSE.
Democrats Enliven the Tariff Debate by
Interrupting Walker.

Interrupting Walker.
WASHINGTON CITY, March 15.-The tariff
discussion is beginning to tire the House,
and there is lack of interest in the pro
ceedings. However, interest today re-
vived somewhat when Walker of Massa-
chusetts took the floor. A number of
Democrats stirred him up with a con-
tinuous cross-hre of questions. During
the speech he alluded to the decline in
the price of watches, taking his own time
piece out of his pocket and placing it on
the desk till ready to make his point.
1t was appropriated by a fun-loving men,
Der. and, when he looked for it, it was
suggested that he (Walker) was fortunate
10 keep the chain.
When the House met the conference re-
port on the urgent deficiency bill was pre-
sented and ugreed to. As passed the bill
appropriates S4796i1.
The House then went into committee of
the whole on the free wool bill, and
speech in favor of the bill
After Coombs had finished speaking
Walker of Massachusetts, said most fthe
statements made by the Democratic orators
on the subject of protective tariff were
facturers of this country have not the
slightest interest, directly, in the tariff it
was not of the slightest interest to manu-
facturers whether We have free trade or
protection. They were satisfied with one
or the other. If the tariff were not in the
interest 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 rs prosperous under free trade as
protection, and Walker replied in the af-
trmative.
Mt Dockery-rhen under the theory of pro-
lection, manufacturers merely become disburs-
ing egents9
Walker-Thats a mere fiction.
pockery-Ihat 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 legislating for manufacturers: it was
legislating for 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 . per cent. less than in
the United States
Walker replied that Canada was a coun-
try which had failed to collect its taxes
for its expenditures. and was burdened
with debt. We have collected our taxes
and paid our debts.
Walker was proceeding to cite authori-
ties IN support Of his position, when Har-
ter advised him 10 consult Blaine.
Mslker-Nou may consult him Us much nj.
you Ike. lchOose She man I wish 10 cousuIt
llaHShtcr.l On business questions I consult
business men, not politicians
Walker then entered on a general de-
Tense Of the Mckinley law. declaring that
In year our foreign trade had Increased
q per cent. ON account OF the laws proyis-
ions.
Scott Of Illinois attacked the law hold.
Ing up its injustice and inequalities as
bearing on the consumer, and LAYING snec.
la stress on the unconstitutionalitv of tho
sugar bounty.
Chapman of Michigan, said that not
withs;andins the supreme court decision
he was still of the opinion that countine a
quorum under the rules of the Flftv-frst
Congress was unconstitutional. He then
denounced the system of protection As
building up the few at the expense OF the
many.
pockery said the Mckinley law only in
creased the farmers burdens. and the re-
oirrocity scheme would prove fallacious.
The committee rose and the House ad-
tourned