The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-13
A SHODDY OVERCOAT
The Tariff Debate Enlivened by
the Hon. Jerry Simpson,
Who Dramatically Exhibited Tattered
Garment as Sample of What Farm
ers Wear Under Protection.
BYNUM CHANGED HIS MIND
Yesterday He Voted Against the
IncOme-Tax Proposition.
The Internal Revenue Bill to Be Report
ed as Separate Measure-DemO-
cratic Caucus Proposed.

WASHINGTON, Jan 12.-The important
tariff speeches in the House to-day were
made by Mr.. Payne, of New York, one of
the leading Republican members of the
ways and means committee; DR.. Everett
the Massachusetts mugwump, and Mr.
Jerry Simpson, the Kansas Populist Mr..
Simpson created the sensation of the day
by illustrating his remarks on the deplor-
able condition of the agricultural classes
by displaying a dilapidated overcoat which
he got from farmer on the market place.
He said he could duplicate it on the backs
of a million farmers in the United States
to-day.
After the journal had been read this
morning the Senate amendments to the
House joint resolution for the appointment
of a joint commission to examine into all
questions relating TO the personnel Of the
navy were agreed to.
Mr.. McCreary then presented from the
foreign affairs committee the Hit resolu-
tion calling on the President, If not incon-
sistent with the public interest, for all
information relating to Hawaiian affairs
received since the transmission of his re-
cent message. Mr.. McCreary asked unan-
imous consent for consideration of the reso-
luton. Mr.. Richardson, of Tennessee, OBJ
jected to unanimous consent AS he did
so Mr.. Boutelle, who had just entered the
hall, interposed to remark that if Mr.
have done So since unanimous consent had
been refused him for the consideration of
the naval resolution. "a House under the
rule of three men might Just as we'll be
held up by one man." he remarked, sar-
castically. This closed the incident and
the tariff debate was resumed.
Mr.. Brosius, Of Pennsylvania, completed
his speech against the bill begun yesterday
Mr. Pendleton, of West Virginia, followed
Mr.. Black, OF Georgia, who spoke after Mr.
Everett. Coming from the territory pro-
testing against placing coal on the free list,
Mr.. Pendleton'S speech was especially sig
nificant. He denounced those of his party
who now shirked The responsibility of re
forming the tariff, and who wanted TO
hold back in the traces. Mr.. Payne, of
of the ways and means committee, then
opoke on the bill.
The ex-sockless statesman from Kansas
that while he intended to vote for the VIII
son bill, there were many provisions in II
which he did not approve of. There was
not one of those who ever believed that
the Democratic 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 1.-The Peoples party" said
he, stands on a platform pledged, as he
Interpreted it, to the principle of free trade.
What 1 say here to-day, in the discussion
OF this bill, shall be from the standpoint of
a. free trader" He believed that the cause
of evil times can be easily discovered If
gentlemen 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 re-
sources Of the country and the wisdom and
industry OF the people. me intolerapie bur
through the indirect system of taxation
had been one of the potent causes which
fairs. The farmers of the country. in 1850,
owned 60 per cent of the wealth, % per
cent. in 1860, 40 per cent in 1880 and 30 per
IL was at this juncture Mr.. Simpson Gre
ated great applause and amusement by ex-
hibiting dilapidated overcoat He proposed
people of the country did wear. Reaching
down under his desk he seized tattered old
overcoat frayed at the edge and bespangled
while the House and galleries cheered. 81
bought that of a farmer" said he, who
told me he had let home at u o'clock that
his product to your boasted home market.
There, as Mr.. Cleveland said, is an object
lesson. Qaughter).
There is a sample of what men wear
under the benefcent system of protection, y
he continued. 1T is made of shoddy and
Here he ripped it up the back Yet" he
added. 'T can find its duplicate on the backs
Of a million men in this country"
Where did he buy it?' asked Mr.. Can
non, of Illinois.
"fIe bought it year ago in this city for
eight dollars and L bought him another
shoddy coat to take its place for $l0.40.' -
Oaughter).
Cannon.
II don't know" replied Mr.. Simpson. 81
don't care; but 1t is the product of American
protection. No one can deny that" Qaugh-
ter and applause).
Mr.. Simpson concluded with an appeal 70
the people to ring out the old and ring in
the new order of things Many members
rendered him their personal congratulations
when he sat down.
Mr.. Daniels, of New York, argued against
the bill. Mr.. Mcdowell, of Pennsylvania
followed, and Mr.. Meiklejohn, of Nebraska,
closed the debate for the afternoon session
in opposition to the bill.
At the evening session of the House Mr..
Waugh, of Indiana, and Mr.. Hermann, of
Oregon, antagonized the bill, while Mr..
McKaig. of Maryland, and Mr.. English. of
New Jersey supported it. The latter, Who
was accounted one of the kicking Demo
Gratis, commended the general scheme of
the measure and said that. although il
bore unjustly on some of the industries OF
New Jersey it would receive his vote and
support. At 1890 the House adjourned.