New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-08
A TARIFF DEBATE IN ILLINOIS.
SENATOR CULLOM OPENS FOR THE REPUBLT-
CAN SIDE
HE WILL BE ANSWERED BY CONGRESSMAN
SPRINGER-A STRONG STATEMENT
OE THE rcSIES

OF THE ISSUES.
Joliet H.. Sept. THE Chauauqua Society de-
votes to-day and tomorrow to political discussion
OF the issues OF the day by Senator Culom OF ILLINOIS,
and Congressman Springer chairman OF the Ways and
Means Committee OF the House OF Representatives.
Mr. Cuom made the first speech to-day in the presence
OF many thousands OF spectators, and Mr.. Springer
Will respond tomorrow
Senator Cuom after being presented by the chair
man, spoke In substance follows:
The tariff question, while older than the Govern
mont ITSELF is yet full Of interest and In this cam
pagn will be the leading and most absorbing subject
on which the people will be called upon to pass
Judgment. Never in the history Of the Government
has the issue between Free Trade and Protection been
so sharply drawn At this late period. after
nearly 100 years Of tariff legislation, We are for the
first time, told that IL Is unconstitutional 10 so
shape a tariff act to give protection to American
manufactures In securing the necessary revenue to
carry on the Government In the earlier history Of
the country, no party, In any formal way, opposed
a tariff for the necessary revenue, and with 1t pro
lection to American manufactures and labor On the
contrary In the platform adopted at meeting held
In Washington in 1882, to ratify the nomination Of
Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren,. the following
resolution adopted.
Resolved That adequate protection to American
Industry is indispensable the prosperity Of the
try, and that abandonment Of the policy at this
period would be attended with consequences runous
to the best interests Of the Nation"
There is a declaration upon which the most radical
republican could stand and upon IL Andrew Jackson
elected President.
The Chicago Democratic platform Is a direct
saut on all the Industrial interests Of the Republic.
The Republican party has maintained consistent and
unvaryng position upon the question Of Protection
Does the Democratic party expect to supply the
deficiency which would be created II Free Trade should
prevail either by direct taxation OF property or by
captation taxi II 1t Is not their intention to resort
to direct taxation they must rely upon excuses. I'M
posts and duties. one of the leaders OF the Demo
cratic party is reported having said that sufficient
revenue could be derived from the imposition Of an
additional tax whisky and tobacco II would re-
qulre on each over four times as much tax is
levied. Such tax would beyond question. drive to
bacco growers out Of business and destroy the cigar
and other tobacco manufacturers business Of the whole
country II an extremely high tax were imposed on
spirits over three fourths Of the legitimate manu-
facturers would 60 out Of business
The revenue tariff Of le46 gave us 12 per cent OF
our importations free the tariff Of 1857 Is per
cent while the Thrill act OF 1890 gives the people
than one half OF total imports free Of duty.
And ye, We are told that It is a terrible law.
The result OF the Senate Committees investigation
into the effects Of the tarin, given In their re-
port that the of living Of family in ordinary
clrcuns tances was "A Of per cent less at the end
Of the period included In the investigation. september
l. 1891. than 1t was Mt the beginning; and that on
May l. 1902, as compared with september /. 1901,
the cost Of living FL per cent cheaper and. as
compared with tho last quarter Of 1882 the cost was
"a per cent cheaper. Agricultural products were In
september, 1901 1897 per cent higher than In the
last quarter OF 1850 Wages too. In the fifteen general
occupations selected by the committee. were "a OF l
per cent higher in september 1901. than In the last
quarter Of 1850, except In certain special Industries
selected. IN which wages were 81 OF per cent
higher than In the beginning.
40 ono provision In the tariff act OF 1890 has
been vigorously and mnlciousy assailed rs the
clause laying duty tin Plate. The officer OF the
Government in charge Of this subject states there Is
no reasonable d6bt but that there will be produced
In America tn. year 100000 600 pounds OF tnplacs.
In round numbers 40 1000 pounds Is one third OF
impOr atlons hence II tile estimate shall prove cor
ret, our manufactures viii have come within the
law and protection Will b" secured - the producers
~ American tin plate.
The specdc,t ana ,ur,u method that can he adopted
10 raise the p.icc Of every farm product Is through
diversity II labor secured BY wisely adjusted sys
ten ~ prot"c ion
By virtue 81 the third section 81 the Tariff act of
$50 tru. s,.te-mu,,lip IN the person Of wise
secured our farmers and manufacturers largely In
creased foreign markets for their products. Reel.
procity has been the mems which has brought Ia
successful conclusion the negotiations which have
eliminated In nor, extended and better markets for
our Democratic friends In their National platform
favor the abolition Of tie National banks and return
to the old state bank system. DO you desire thls
upon the people by that old wildcat and rcd-dog state
currency