New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-16
A POuTICOAGRICULIURAL INQUIRY.
THE HOUSE ORDERS AN INVESTIGATION OF THE
EFFECT OF THE TARIFF BILL on THE
FARMING INDUSTRY.

i
FARMING INDUSTRY.
Washington, Feb Is (speciaD-The House 'ouay
decided to allow the Committee Agriculture 10
Investigate the effects OF the Mckinley tariff upon
agriculture Chairman Hatch says that the cotton III
vestigaton will be conducted by Subcommittee con
sistnC OF the members from cotton STATES the III
vestiga,ion as to wheat by members from the Nor'h
western States and on and that the report VIII DC
submitted to the House by july 1. 1t is to be unique
investigation for no provision is made to ascertain
from farmers themselves what the effects OF the law
have been. The purpose seems 10 be to attempt the
accumulation OF "A large amount OF political capital for
use I'm the coming Presidential campaign. But the
farmers are not likely to be fooled twice by the Smp
SONS and Watsons and PETERS and Others OF their KID
ney The debate on the resolution in the House 10
day was instructive and should be read by farmers
who are curious to know how their sefcohSutu'cu
advocates In Congress deport themselves These gen
cmen we're utterly unable to reply TO the terse state
ments OF Messrs Funston and Dolver, but they never
theless made considerable noise
When Mr. Hatch, OF Missouri moved to SUSPEND the
rules and adopt the resolution requesting MS COM
mttee to report the effect upon agriculture vi tne
nrrsent tariff law. Mr.. Bynum, OF Indiana, demanded
a second and the request of Mr. Hatch that second
be considered as ordered objected 10 by MI
v,cor. Of Texas. Mr. KilgOre and Mr. Hatch were
APPOINTED ellers and reported the vote as 122-2. Inc
pcnublcans did not vote but raised the point
of " no quorum; and Mr. kilgore was cognzed 10
oppose the resolution. but declined TO avail hlihsci
Of the recognition, stating that he was not Opposed 10
f. although he believed that it was originally oheied
as a piece Of buncOmbe.
Mr. Funston. OF Kansas, however raised his voice
in opposition II he believed that there could De
fair and impartial investigation Of the effects OF the
nrcsent tariff law on the agricultural Interests lie
would he I'm favor of 1t. 1t could hardly be expected
however that an Investigation Of this character couu
be made without being made upon party basis lheIe
were ten men political side OF the question: anu
five men on the other. The fact that the HOUSE went
,to This Investigation was a declaration on the part
% the House that it believed that the Mchimey Un
wa, injurins the farmers OF the country inns wa,
not trne The duties on the farmers products hri
been increased while the things the farmers hah W
buv were to day cheaper than before the MCKINNEY
| bill WAS passed Mr.. Funston Willie commenting upon
hc prosperity OF the farmers frequently interrupted
| by Mr. Livingstone and Mr.. Watson, OF Georgia ou
he declined to yield, only rema:hng that they had toIc
bo farmers the contrary because they would not nave
heen elected had they told the truth. lie had no Cd
| lection 10 an investigation If il were far one. ihe
| Kepnblicans courted investigation. Inc hepuDu
AN party had fear Of it, record II had no apoos
| to make But why this investigation why ala ho'
rho democrats bring in a bill to repeal the Mckinley
,ctl They dared not do it, They did not wish 10 touch
hc subject until after tie next election The mNe'nsa
ton Could do no good a. the committee had no power
IA summon witnesses or To send for papers ana persons
Mr. Deliver Of Iowa, hoped that If the lnvcsuSa-
tlon were ordered the committee would send Tor the
nrc,ent Chief Magistrate Of Iowa, who in MS annual
message said lat no time in the history Of Iowa nave
her people been blessed with more prosperity than they
now enjoy"
Mr. Moses, Of Georgia, held that the farmers OF the
country had a right To inform Congress what effect the
tariff law lad upon their products. The Mckinney
hI WAS not In the interest of the farmer, Farmer
Funston TO the contrary Notwithstanding.
| MIR Livingstone, Of Georgia In two mute >peesn
| took issue With Mr. Funston rs 10 the effect Of the
| tariff law, upon the farmer. =, III, , a.,
Mr. McKinn \. Of New Hampshire, the author of the
resolution denied that 1t had been offered for ponlca
| effect. ,, . Ar, or,,-l,
| made by MIR. Funston. that the Democrats dare nor
hrinc I'm bill TO repeal the Mckinley law, stated th''
| he had introduced measure for that purp'>c.
Mr. simpson OF Kansas. spoke or the uepIcNsIoh vi
| ,he farm ng industry in his state.
| Mr. Hatch made minute speech IN support .,
the resolution and bore testimony To the fairness ana
mparalltv OF the Committee Agriculture IN heahns
! with questions OF this character ,.,. .i,,.;o,
| The resolution was then adopted without DIVISION.
Mr. Hatch. who has been pressing TINS rsouuon ~
saws he regarded its adoption aS the hrs spSt nrVd
araint the target Of the Mcknley bill, ana plie'cS
| that il will have It's effect.