The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-01-17
JERRY AND HIS COAT.
Illustrated Speech by the Kansas
POpuIist.


WASHINGTON, Jan. I2.-The import
ant tariff speeches today were made by
Mr.. Payne of New York, one of the lead
ing republican members Of the WAYS
and means committee; DR.. Everett. the
Massachusetts mugwump and Mr. Jerry
Simpson, the Kansas populist. MIR.
Simpson created the sensation of the dav
by illustrating his remarks on the de-
plorable condition of the agricultural
classes by displaying a dilapidated over
coat which he got from a farmer on the
market place. He said he could dupli-
cate it on the backs of a million farmers
in the United States today.
Mr.. Simpson said that while he in
tended to vote for the Wilson bill. there
were many provisions in it which he did
not approve of. There was not one of
those who ever believed that the demo-
cratic party brought to the test would
carry out its pledges, for he knew while
there were honest democrats, the action
Of the democratic party. like that of the
republicans was controlled by the money
power.
Pledged to Free Trade.
"The peoples party" said he, Stands
on a platform pledged. as he interpreted
it, TO the principle of free trade. What
l say here today in the discussion of this
bin shall be from the standpoint of a
free trader
He believed that the cause OF evil
times can be easily discovered if gentle
men would divest themselves Of party
prejudice. 1t had not come suddenly.
but had been the result Of causes which
began far in the past and would have
come long ago had it not been for the
wonderful resources of the country and
the wisdom and industry of the people.
The intolerable burden put upon the
agricultural classes through the indirect
system of taxation had been one of the
potent causes which had produced the
present condition of affairs. The farm
ers of the country in 1850 owned 60
per cent. of the wealth, So per cent. in
1860. 40 per cent in 1850 and 80 per cent.
in 1890
1t was at this juncture Mr.. Simpson
created great applause and amusement
by treating the house to the sight of a
dilapidated overcoat He proposed TO
show the house exactly what the poor
people of the country did wear.
Before the Public Gnzo.
Reaching down under his desk he
seized a tattered old overcoat, fringed at
the edge and bespangled with great
patches. He held it on high while the
house and the galleries cheered.
Il bought that of a farmer" said he
'who told me he had left home at u
O'Clock last night and driven twenty
five miles to sell his product in your
boosted home market. There, as Mr.
Cleveland said, is an object lessor"
Oaughter)
There is a sample of what men wear
under the benefcient system of protec-
tiOn," he continued. 1T is made OF
shoddy and rags. see?"
Here he ripped it up the back. yet"
he added, Il can find its duplicate on
the backs Of a million men in this coun-
'where did he buy it," asked Mr..
Cannon.
He bought it a year ago in this city
for SO and l bought him another shoddy
coat to take its place for 5000"
rs it American or imported" asked
Mr. Cannon.
II don't know" replied Mr.. Simpson.
81 don't care; but it is the product of
American protection. No one can deny
that" daughter and applause)
Mr.. Simpson concluded with an appeal
TO the people TO ring out the old and
ring in the new order of things.
Many members rendered him their per-
sonal congratulations when he sat down.
Mr.. Daniels rep) of New York argued
against the bill. Mr.. Mcdowell Gep) of
PENNSYLVANIA followed and Mr.. Meil1le-
John Gep) of Nebraska closed the debate
for the afternoon session in opposition
to the bill.
Defeat of the State Bank Men.
The opposition to the repeal Of the
tax on state banks scored a victory in
the committee on banking and currency
today. The friends OF the bill had been
confident that the protracted committee
struggle would end To-Day by favorable
but Representative Johnson of
Indiana executed flank movement by
moving to consider the resolution for the
previous question. Mr.. Johnson's motion
carried on viva voce vote. He at
once followed this up by moving that
the entire question be put aside until
after the tariff debate closed. This also
carried and the meeting summarily
closed with the state bank men in a mi
nority.
Holman for an Open Caucus.
Representative Holman of Indiana,
chairman Of the democratic caucus COM
mittee Of the house, is strongly opposed
to the secrecy which has heretofore en-
veloped house caucuses.
ct was IN favor" said he, "of having
the recent democratic caucus on the
tariff open to the correspondents and TO
the public and L had directed that the
press gallery should be opened during
the caucus. There was such strenuous
opposition to the publicity, however, that
/ finally consented TO have the doors
OF the house and those leading to the
galleries closed. But I am satisfied that