, 1892-03-16
OPEN UP A CROSS FIRE.
That Is the Way Democrats
Keep Walker Cool.
The Tariff Question Still Being
Waged Relentlessly.
Investigating Pension Commits
sioner Raum's Record.
House.

o1c
WASHINGTON. March 15.-The tariff
discussion is beginning to tire the house
and there is q lack of interest in the pro-
ceedings. However. the interest today
was revived somewhat when Walker of
Massachusetts took the floor. A number
of democrats stirred him up with a con-
tiuuous crossfire 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 the point.
1t was appropriated BY a fun loving mem
Der and when he looked for it it was sug-
gested that he (Walker) was fortunate to
keep the chain.
Walker said most of the statements
made by the democratic orators on the
subject of the protective tariff were not
even technically true. The manufactur-
ers of this country had not the slightest
interest directly in the tariff. 1t was
not the slightest interest to 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 the manu-
faoturers would be as prosperous under
free trade as protection, and Walker
replied in the affirmative.
MI. Dockery-Then. under the theory
Of protection, the manufacturers merely
become disbursing agents.
Walker-That is mere fiction.
nnaIaru-Tha oaap,a IN ha fha lauta IF
your position.
Walker replied hat the manufacturers
of the country what was left OF them
would be more prosperous under free
trade than protection. But congress is
not legislating for the manufacturers. 1t
is leR~islating for the farmers and wage
workers. This is the lowest taxed coun-
try on the face of the earth.
Hsrter of Ohio asserted that in Can
ada taxation was rs per cent less than in
the United States.
Walker replied that Canada was a
country which had failed to collect its
taxes for It's expenditures and was bur-
dened with debts. We have collected
our taxes and paid our debts. Walker
was proceeding to cite authorities in sup
port of his position when Harter advised
him to consult Blaine.
Walker-You may consult him as much
as you like; | will choose the man l wish
to consult. Laughter. On business
questions | consult business men, not pol
i~ticlaus.
Walker then entered into a general
defense OF the Mckinley law. declaring
that in a year our foreign trade had in
creased 81 per cent or account of the laws
provisions.
Scott of Illinois attacked the law, hold
ing up its injustice aud inequalities as
bearing on the and laying spe-
cial stress on the unconstitutionality of
the sugar bounty provision.
Chapman of Michigan said hat not
w~ithstan1inR the supreme court decision
he was still of the opinion that the count
ing of a quorum under the rules OF the
fifty. first congress was unconstitutional.
He then denounced the system of Irotec-
ton as building up the few at the expense
of the many.
Dockery Of Missouri said the Mckinley
bill only increased the farmers burdens.
and the reciprocity scheme would prove
fsllacious. The committee rose and the
house adjourned.