The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-03-31
PROCEEDINGS or CONGRESS.


Mr.. Mills ConEratnlatod--rho Debate on
tho Frce Wool Bill.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 30.-On
the floor OF the house this morning, be-
fore the hour OF noon, there were but
few members, but these few congresated
behind the screens on tho Democratic
side and rendered an informal reception
to Mr.. Mills, OF Texas, who to-day sewers
his long association with the lower
house OF Congress in order to assume
the toga OF tho senate.
While he was congratulated upon
every hand upon his promotion, tho
congratulations were blended with earn
est regrets that the house had lost one
OF its prominent leaders and the indi-
vidual members pleasant and able col
league.
Mr.. McNIillin, OF Tennessee, stated
that it was the desire OF the committee
on ways and means to close the discus
sion OH the wool bill OH Saturday and
asked that an evening session be held
tonight for general debate. There was
no objection and the house went into
committee Of the whole (NIr. Blount, OF
Georgia, in the chair on the free wool
bill.
The first speaker Of the day was Rep
rescntative Butler, OF Iowa, who advo-
Gated the passage OF the free wool bill.
The aim and the purpose OF political ac-
ton OF every man on the floor, he said,
was to secure the general welfare OF the
country without dcpriving the individ-
ual OF his right OF property and pursuit
OF happiness. Speaking in regard to the
intelligence of the American working.
man, Mr.. Butler was interrupted by Mr..
Kay, OF New York. with the query as to
what had made the American people
intelligent
"Why," replied Mr.. Butler, "oi course,
God Almighty gave US intelligence. I"
Naughter.)
"And a protective tariff" was then
suggested by Mr.. Ray amid applause
from tho Republicans and derisive
laughter from tho Democrats. "Well,"
replied Mr.. Butler, "if TINT proposition
is truc-if protective tariff gives us
intclligence-let US put on thousand
per cent tariff, and we will all bo Solo
mons" - Laughter.
Mr.. Ray suggested that in those coun-
tries where was impoverished labor
there were no public schools. The Ia
boring men had to take their little
children out OF tho cradle and put them
the workshop.
Mr.. Butler-And all OF those countries
except ono arc protective tariff coun-
tries. CLaughtcr.l
Mr.. J. D. Taylor, OF Ohio, speaking
for the wool growers OF Ohio, strenu.
ously opposed the measure. lie re-
gretted to be compelled to call in ques-
tion the integrity OF the report made by
tho majority OF the committee on ways
and means. But the figures in regard
to wool and woolen industries were en-
tircly inaccurate and absolutely untrust-
worthy.
He figured that this country could
produce all the wool that was needed.
II in every southern state the dogs
could be killed and sheep be substituted
in their stead, the southern section
would be moro prosperous. The south
needed protection. Inside OF ten years
the south would be demanding protec-
tion for its cotton, as to-day the people
OF Ohio were asking protection for their
wool. lie. predicted that FREQ wool
would be followed by free woolens in
this country as in England, and the
people would resent this conspiracy be.
tween the cotton raisers OF the south
and the wool manufacturers OF the
north to enrich themselves at tho ex-
pense OF our prosperity in time OF
peace and our independence in time OF
war.
Tho committee then rose, and the
house took recess until o'clock. >