The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-02-16
Walters Of the Simpson and PETER Stripe 10 Be
Invited to Contribute Campaign Nate \
rial for the Democratic Party.
Characterized as Piece of Buncombe by
Even "Buck" Kilgore of Texas
Three Tariff Measures Intended to Kill Impor-
tant Industries Almost Ready for Presenta-
tion BY the Ways and Means Committee.
FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES oNLYl

Democrats Order an Investigation Of the
Tariff as It Affects the Granger.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Feb. 15.-"Farmers Friend
Hatch succeeded in getting his Democratic
colleagues in the House. to-day, to adopt q
piece of buncombe more than usually IL
diculous. even for Democrats. This was o
reso: ltion instructing the committee on
agriculture. of which Mr.. Hatch is chair
man. to investigate the effects Of the Mo-
Kinley tariff law ON agriculture. So ri
diculous was this proposition that even
"Buck" Kilgore. of Texas. revoited, charac-
terizing the resolution as piece of bun
combe." The absurdity of the resolution
was pointed out by Mr. Funston. of Kan
sas. who was chairman of the CON-
mittee on agriculture in the last
House. The Republicans. understand
ing that the resolution was merely
intended as q piece Of campaign
claptrap. refrained from voting. and the
resolution was declared adopted. despite
the fact that the record showed no quorum.
Mr.. Hatch says that his committee will get
to work at once. IL is understood that,
later on. tho committee on manufactures
will be authorized to conduct an inquiry as
to the effect of the tariff law on the manu-
facturers and skilled wage-workers; and
thus, In the end reports will be made on
the various phases of the new law. by as
many different committees.
The subject came up in the House short
ly after tbs opening. by Mr. Hatch moving
Go suspend the rules and adopt his resDlu-
tion. Mr.. Bynum of Indiana demanded q
second. and the request of Mr.. Hatch that
q second be considered as ordered was OBJ
jected to by Mr.. Kilgore of Texas. Mr..
Kilgore and Mr.. Hatch were appointed
tellers. and reported the vote l22 to 2. The
Republicans did not vote. but no one
raised the point of mo quorum" and Mr..
Kilgore was recognized to oppose the reso-
luton. but declined to avail himself of the
recognition. stating that he was not op-
was originally offered as piece of bun
combe.
WILL BE PARTISAN I1QUIRY.
Mr.. Funston of Kansas. however, raised
his voice in opposition. If he believed
that there could be a fair and impartial
investigation of the effects of the present
tariff law on the ag ricultural interests he
would be in favor of it. 1t could hardly
be expected. however, that an investiga-
tion of this character could be made with
Olt Ucink npoh q p0l W Suotc. hc
fact that the House went into this :nvesti-
CATION was declaration on the part Of the
House that it believed that the Mckinley
bill was iDjuring the farmers of tho
country. This was not true. The duties
on the farmers products had been incree ssd
while the things the farmers had to buy
were to-day cheaper than before the Nc
Kiniey bill was passed. Mr.. Funston,
while commenting upon the prosperity OF
the farmers was frequently interrupted by
MIR. Livingston aDd Mr.. Watson of
Georgia. but he declined to yield. only
have been elected had they told the
truth. He had no objection to sn
investigation IL It were o fair one. The
Republican party had no fear of its record.
1t had no apologies to make; bat why this
investig gationf Why did not the Demo
Gratis bring in bill to repeal the Mckinley
actf They dared not do 1t. No such bill
ways and means. Hevnnderstood that the
chairman of that committee would report
bill to remove the duty on wool. one of
the products of the farm. The only enomy
the farmer had was the Democratic party.
Why did not the committee report bill
repeating the present tariff lawf Because
IL was afraid of the question: because lt
did not wish to touch the subject until
after the next election. 1t contented it
Sell Win cOQQemnlDR the MCkfnley Dill.
Whenever there was q cold blast from the
north, whenever there was q drought,
whenever the Rrasshoppers destroyed the
farmers crops the Democrats put their
hands In their pockets and said: ut Is the
do no good. as the committee had no power
to summon witnesses, or to send for papers
and persons.
Mr.. BoIEs SHOULD TESTIFY.
Mr.. Dolliver of Iowa hoped that IL the
Investigations were ordered the committee
would send for the present chief magis-
strate of Iowa. who. in his annual message.
said: Eat no time in the history of Iowa
have her people been blessed with moro
prosperity than they now enjoy"
Mr.. Lewis of Mississippi expressed the
opinion that from the role Farmer
Funston" acted in this tragedy he was
better equipped as a witness in court than
as one to testify here as to what was for
of the country. When the gentleman
spoke of the prosperity OF the farmer he
was either profoundly ignorant OF the effect
of the Mckinley bill or he wiIfully and de-
hberately mlsrepresented the situation.
MIR. Livingstone of Georgia, In o two
minutes speech. took issue with Mr..
Funston as to the effect of the tariff law
upon the farmer. The gentleman from
Kansas seemed to be afraid OF justice. He
MIR. Livingstonel supposed that the COM
mittee on agriculture was an honest body.
and the imputation that tho gentleman
made that il could not be depended upon
to make an honest report was not justi-
fable. The farmers of the country would
be heard on this floor; if not now, in the
next Congress- and the gentleman from
Kansas could take due notice.
Mr. Butler of Iowa expressed mis- delight
at hearing his colleague [Mr. Dolliverl
quote the words of the grandest Governor
Iowa ever had.
Mr.. DOlliver suggested that the present
Governor was once n Republican.
Mr.. Butler retorted that every body ought
to improve as he grew older.
MIR. EnlOe of Tennessee, repling TO the re-
mark made by Mr. Funston tn at the Demo
Gratis dare not bring IN bill to repeal the
Mckinley law, stated that he had intro
duced a measure for that purpose.
Mr.. Simpson of Kansas spoke of the de-
preston of the farming industry in his
State. Referring to the burning of corn as
fuel IN his State, he said that by the light
of that corn-tre the farmers read the his
tory of the Republican party, and that was
the reason that the Alliance had carried the
State at the last election.
Mr.. Hatch made O one-mlnute speech in
support of the resolution. and bore testi-
nony TO the fairness and impartiality of
the committee on agriculture In dealing
with questions of this character. The resO-
luton was then adopted.
Mr.. Hatch, who has been pressing this
resolution. says ne regarded Its adoption as
the first shot fired against the target of the
Mckinley bill, and believes that il will
have its effect. He thinke that an investi-