Evening journal., 1894-01-19
A HOT TARIFF DEBATE.
Mr.. johnson of Ohio Stirs Up a
Hornets Nest.
THE INCOME TAX IS ALL READY

Mr. Vest Entertains tho senate with a
witty Dialogue and Denounces tho Fed
eraI Elections Law-The Wilson Dill De-
nOunced by Mr.. sibley.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l9.-Almost the en-
tire day in the house was spent in the con-
tinuation of the debate on Mr.. Burrows
amendment to restore the existing duties
on wool. with the result Of its defeat by
strict party vote.
About an hour before the recess Mr..
johnson Of Ohio offered his amendment to
place rails on the free list. This led to
what will probably prove to be one of the
most interesting discussions OF the present
tariff debate.
Mr.. Springer asked Mr. johnson, who Is
himself a steel rail producer whether plac
ing rails on the free list would drive rail
manufacturers out of the business, to
which the latter replied that it would not
It's only effect would be to reduce the profits
Of the mill owners.
That's what you're here for, suppose" "
interposed Mr.. Boutelle sarcastically-"to
reduce your profits"
81 am not here voting money into the
pockets Of any stockholders" replied Mr..
johnson In Hot Water.
Your patriotism has an element Of i'm.
probability about it, retorted Mr. Bou-
telle
In further reply to Mr.. Springer, Mr..
johnson stated that his mill was not more
favorably situated than others and that it
was In about the center of steel rail pro
| duction.
Al. -.
bers Of the ways and means committee,
wanted to know. If the existing duty was
reduced from sl3 to about s. per ton when
railroad construction revived. If he did not
think it would produce revenue
Mr.. johnson replied that he did not
think it would produce dollar of revenue;
that 20, 10 or even per cent was, with the
/ present close margins, almost prohibitive.
In proof Of his statement he offered the
testimony Of the ways and means report.
| lLaughter.l
I'm other words, interrupted Mr.. Bland,
"this duty will enable the trust to put up
prices and get all the benefit"
Mr.. johnson assented to this PROPOSE.
tion. Besides, be said it would enable the
trust to pay $1,000 day to close up other
mills.
Would the railmen lower wagesW asked
Mr.. Stone of Pennsylvania.
mo" replied Mr.. johnson. "They would
get their labor in the free trade market OF
the world, where they always have, and
pay as little as possible" democratic ap.
plause.l
| Mr.. Cannon of Illinois asked if Mr.. John.
son thought that it was quite fair, know
ing as-he did that his attempt to put rails
on the free list would be unsuccessful, tC
. /,
and continue afterward to pocket the pro
oeeds Of protection.
Mr.. johnson met the question by asking
If Mr.. Cannon would vote with him. To
this there was no reply
Mr.. Dalzell, the Republican representa-.
tive from the Pttsburg district, then got
the floor and proceeded to attack Mr.. John.
son. Steel rail production, he said, was an
important industry in II states This prop
osition was to place steel rails on the free
list and leave billets and blooms. out OF
which they were manufactured, dutiable
at % per cent. Was that just; The steel
rail industry was the most splendid monu-
ment of protection. Under its benefceni
operation the price of rails had gone down
from $50 to So
sibley Attacks the wilson Bill.
At the night session Mr.. Sibley of Penn
sylvania, a Democrat, created something
Of a sensation by bitter speech against
the Wilson bill. He said he did not be
lieve that tariffs made or unmade prosper
| ity. The trouble was much deeper In hi,
opiaion the business interests were in tn,
position of the Kilkenny cats The politi
clans, he said had tied their tails together
over the line and were now shaking il t
see the fur fly. The cause Of the present
condition was the monetary policy of tn,
government. He did not believe the way
and means committee was competent, or
II competent, that it was advisable to tea
down in few weeks the temple Of oul
: industries created through 100 years o
! progress. They should have corrected ONLY
, the bad features of the Mckinley law anC
allowed the rest to stand.
Prosperity was promised by Mr. Wilson
when the silver repeal bill was passed. bu
only paupers and prisons and graves haC
followed it. Why should he now follow
Mr.. Wilsoni He would support, he de
clared, a revenue tariff bill. such as wa
| demanded by the Chicago platform, but h,
: would never vote for this bill, which was
hybrid-half free trade and half protection
with the vices of both and the virtues o
| neither.
The other speakers were Messrs. Mckee
CHAN of Nebraska, DeForest of Connect
cut and Russell of Connecticut
Senator Walthalrs Resignation.
The most significant event in the senat'
was the announcement Of the resignation
! of Senator Walthall Of Mississippi. Il wa
- totally unexpected, and when the presid
ing officer laid before the senate the lette
of the senator announcing that he had for
. warded his resignation to the governor o
Mississippi the greatest surprise was ex
. pressed on all sides. Senator Walthall i
= Go years old and succeeded the late l.. Q.
Lamar in the. senate nine years ago. Hi
= retirement causes general regret amonl
n his colleagues, as Senator Walthall is YER
popular in the senate.
The legislative session of the day wa,
short, but it gave opportunity for the in
PRODUCTION Of two resolutions from Popu
n list senators condemning the bond polio
of the administration, and later in the day
!, in the discussion of the Stark monumen
: appropriation, Senator Morgan Of Alabam
n and Senator Daniel of Virginia took occa
sion to express their dsapproval Of tn