The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-26
He Reviews and Comments on the Work
of the Present Incompetent aud
Extrayagant Congress.
FEATURES OF LEGISLATION
And Influences That Controlled
the Dominant Party.
The Struggle Over the Tariff Bill aud
the Action of the House in Accept
ing the German Measure.

OLD ORCHARD, Me-, Aug 25-Ex-
Speaker Thomas B. Reed opened the Re-
publican campaign in this State here this
afternoon with a speech which called forth
the heartiest applause from thousands
present. Mr.. Reeds main effort was TO
prove that "the Democratic party had
shown itself incapable of ruling the coun-
try in a manner satisfactory. not only 10
the majority of the people. but even TO the
large respectable minority which helped
compose it." Mr.. Reeds speech, IN part.
follows:
"The Northern. Democratic party is
party, composed OF men OF business sense
and business ability. The difficulty with ths
all past time, is the fact that its greaf
majority resides In the South. The South
ern men are men OF intellectual power. men
of intelligence and men OF learning. The
difficulty with them is that the kind OF
learning which arises from a thorough
knowledge of business as IL is carried on
Southern man may have every opportunity
to read in books of the prosperity which
ton of IL such those who have lived in
it. He is devoted to the theories OF by
gone day. His mind is fixed upon the prin-
ciples which were essential in the prose
perity of his part of the country in the days
before the war.
''It would be great mistake for the
people of the United States to suppose thar
the action of the Senate, much blamed
by the Democratic party. and so much at
general was 10 be deemed entirely the re-
suit of personal feeling. The truth is that
the action of the conservative Senators on
many subjects is the result, not of their In
dividual opinions, but the result OF the
business interests which surround them. \
not be reckless with the business interests
of his constituency like Senator from Ar
kansas; and even a Senator from Arkansas.
Mr. xrh
and intelligence TO the tariff question, al-
though not surrounded by business inter-
ests which control him, was irresstibly
borne In the direction OF the Senate bill as
il finally passed that body.
SLOWLY AND OUT OF PLACE.
Whatever may have been done by the
people at present in possession OF the gov
ernment, every viii admit that IL has
been done slowly, out Of place. and in such
a way as TO be OF the least possible ser
vice TO the country. The repeal OF the sill
yer purchasing clause under the Sherman
act might possibly have been Of some SER
vice to the country had it been done
promptly and at once. But the delay in the
Senate, the long and protracted debate and
the continuous opposition. the realization
on the part Of the country that the Sen
ate did it unwillingly. prevented any goo1
which the friends Of the measure We're dis
posed 10 claim for ii.
After the repeal OF the purchasing clause
had uncovered the real situation of tbs
country IL then became the duty OF Con-
gress, even from a Democratic point OF
view, 10 pass such a tariff bill as would
give the Un.ted States a reasonable degrees
OF assurance that the basis there estab-
lished would be one that would be perma-
nent for sufficient period of time, a Pc
riod at least so long as the victorious party
was to be in power. Instead OF realizing
the first great principle of statesmanship-
that whatever is to be done in the world
has got TO be done in accordance with the
Of he .2raFalQ xxyhO N
gentleman in charge OF the tariff bill in
the House of Representatives undertook 10
and to mold a tariff bill not in the inter
est of the Nation, not in accordance with
the wishes OF the people but In ACCORDANCE
might possibly fit their dream or ultimate
free trade. Suoh bill, framed in such a
manner was doomed from the moment OF
its inception Ii was not adapted 10 this
country; IL was not adapted to its inter-
ests; 1t was not adapted In any way TO ths
situation in which the country then fodnd
itself. Commencing upon vague theory
that II was necessary to coddle certain
manufacturers at the expense OF others IL
cratic platform, and undertook IL IN
different form from that which had existed
before. Hence the bill which Mr.. wilson
introduced although claiming TO fulfill the
Democratic platform, was yet a projections
ist bill to a certain degree.
publicans Why. If it was protectionist
bill. were you opposed 10 II? Why Should
you make opposition to bill which recog-
nized the principles which you yourselves
advocated? 1t does not follow, because a
bill recognizes the principle OF protection
or 0baD because So ar sSeskng IS Of II % To
who have repudiated protection In their
platform that. therefore. IL is proper
a method Of preserving the American mar
ket 10 the American people, Is something
which is defensible. but protection in
spots, protection here and protection there.
is a protection which is justly open 20 the
charges which are falsely made against
the true protection.
THE GORMANIZED BILL
when Mr. wilson's bill. which was
framed more with reference to the wishes
of New England and of those manufacture
ers of a certain description who have been
dallying with Democracy. reached the Sem
ate il there met with the varied interests
of the country in more fun and completes
fashion, and meeting those intresets, 1t re-
ceived great modification. Thereupon. it
was brought TO the House. amended by
six hundred and more amendments. and
so changed in its character and in its de-
sign. that the original author has absolute
~ declined TO recognize IL. Then ensued
struggle. the like OF which has never be-
fore been a part or the history OF this
country and the like of which ought never
10 be part Of the history OF any country.
For the first time in the history of the
met for the transaction OF its legitimate
business. The Republican plembers OF the
committee of conference We're excluded
from all discussion and consideration OF
the question. What discussion took place
among the people representing the Demo-
cratic party / nave no means OF knowing.
Everybody knows that this bill which. ac-
cOrding TO the Democratic view. contained
party perfdy and party dishOnOr. was
passed by the House, and that they vi0-
lated every rule OF parliamentary law In
order TO enable them TO pass It.
Now. what Is that bill? 1 am sorry 10
say that. although / was on the commits
tee OF conference L was deprived OF any
opportunity 10 examine the items and 10
discuss the reasons for them. That bill
must be tested. like every other bill. BY
the test OF time and OF experience. Those
who know best about IL believe that the
results to this country Will be disastrous,
but fortunately not as disastrous as the
original bill 10 which Mr.. Wilson's name
was only attached. But there is one thing
from which we must free our minds. and
that .s the idea that this bill. however
bad IL may be- il the basis upon which the
business OF the country may adjust itself
upon lower plane OF wages vita safety
and proceed with whatever ~ left 20 IS
OF the Industries OF the country. That idea
we must dismiss absolutely from our
minds. The fact remains that this bin s
not a fnality. That you may understand
that / do not say this UPON my own
authority desire 70 quote TO you tbs oplns
- I