Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-02-08

Just alter the repeal oil the reciprocity acu'
is mutitudinous witness all along our
borders that the foreigner pays tho tax |
venture to say that the lumber tax, lowered
by the act of 1890, has all of it gone out of
our Treasury Into Canadian Pockets.
Nobody knows so well as I do how much
| have failed TO present even my own
comprehension, of the great argument
which should control this vote. | have
said not n word of the great fall of prices
which has always come from the competi-
ton of the whole world rendered, possible
by protection and substituted for the COM
petition of a single island. | have said not
a word of the great difference between the
attitude of employees who find their own
workman their best customers in their own
land, and who are therefore moved by
their own best interests to give their work
men fair wages and those who sell abroad
and are therefore anxious for low wages at
home and ON whom works unrcstrctedly
that pcrniciols doctrine as wages fall pro-
fits rise.
But all of us plead in vain. Why we fail
let those answer who read the touching
words of Abraham Lincoln 5 first inaugural,
and remember that he pleaded in vain with
these same men and their predecessors.
W
coed But though we fail here to-day, like
our great leader of other days in the larger
field before the migthicr tribunal which will
finally and forever decide this question we
shall be more more than conquerors for
this great nation, shaking off as it has once
before the influence of Il lower civilization.
will go on and fulfil its high destiny, until
over the South as well rs over the North,
shall he spread the full measure of that
amazing prosperity which is the wonder of
the world.
speech of speaker Crisp.
At the conclusion of Mr. Reeds speech
Mr.. Crisp took the floor and in his speech
said
Neither the farmer nor the customs officer
will be able to realize the truth of the state
nent of the gentleman from Maine, THAT
the foreigner pays the tax. These laws,
the speaker said. were for the benefit and
the benefit only of the manufacturer. Jap
plause.
The gentleman from Maine had declared
that the corn laws, although passed nomi-
nally III behalf of the English farmer were
really for the benefit OF the aristocracy. who
who were the land owners. "Lct me tell
him, also that the tariff laws passed nomi-
really tor the benefit of the manufacturer e
Mr. Crisp referred to Mr. Reeds argu-
ment ON the topic of free labor, stating that
he would have the teucrity to enter the list
against him Mr.. Reed mad said that the
emigrant did not bring his foreign rate OF
wages with him. That was trIe. said Mr..
Crisp. with the exception of the people from
China. There they had enjoyed for centu-
ricS system of protection which had re
suited in the production of a class of work
men against whom the United States was
compelled to raise the barrier of restriction
! If the gentleman wants us to look upon the
full effects of policy of attempting to grow
by trading among themselves, we point
them to China. [Applau,e.l
Mr.. Crisp quoted from speech Of JOIN
| Sherman's in 1872 to prove the expedency
of the income tax (which met democratic
applause and in answer TO the criticism
of Mr.. Cochran that it was unnecessary
because the Wilson bill proper would raise
enough revenue, Mr.. Crisp said that the
democratic party could take the risk in the
fulillment of every pledge made by it to the
people and every pledge by the government
to its creditors. and therefore the income
tax had been added He appealed to til,
democrats to stand together and support
the bill, and thereby add to the prosperity
and happiness of the whole people. Great
applause
| Chairman Wilson Closes the Debate.
Mr.. Wilson. DEM. West Virginia who
closed the debate said the old argument,
had been advanced this afternoon which
have always been advanced against every
movement Of progres, and reform. An(
/ bpy In ~
full. more attractive or effective than in the
past. He referred to the argument on this
question of the gentleman from Michigan
which he has brought into every congress
like boquct of wax flowers under n glas,
case.
To the statement of Mr. Dollver that
he had narrowly escaped being pupil Of
the gentleman from West Virginia, - it was
narrow miss indeed, Mr., Speaker. said Mr.
| Wilson, but Judging from the character OF
| the argument he made on the floor, it wa
| as good as n mile daughter, The argu
ment of the gentleman from Maine, which
| has been heard at every cross road in tn,
country. was that the progress and pros
perity of the country was due to protection
due to the passage of law of congress
rather than to the munifcent gifts of Al
mighty God, applause
The truth is that the prosperity and pro
gress Of the country have been because n,
law of congress could prevent them
(Applause All the Mckinley laws in thu
world cannot impede the progress of tn,
world. But they can and do take from on
man part of one mans labor
And Give it Unjustly to Another.
In conclusion, Mr.. Wilson said substan
TALLY as follows
| agree with the gentleman from Maine
Mr. Reed, that the question OF the genera
welfare and the general wages of working
men is after all, the vital question in thi
controversy. We are trying an experiment
whether we can establish a country wher
every man born in it, will be born with tn
possibility that he can raise himself to de
gree of ease and comfort, and not be com
PEELED to live life of degrading toll 70
the mere necessities of existence. Tha
is the feeling which animates al
who, through danger and defeat, hav
steadily labored for tariff reform. We wisI
TO make this country one where no man shall
| he aNpl for the priNate baupft IF anot ha