Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-07-25


upon refined sugar The Senate has reintro-
duced into the proposed tariff bill q sugar
schedule which whether truly or not. has been
accepted by the country, by the press, by the
people as unGuly favorable to the great Sugar
Trust. II proposes duty of 40 per cent. al
valorem on all grades of sugar, diierentlai oil
one-eigth of cent upon refined sugar, IN ad-
addition to a differential of one-tenth OF cent
on sugar imported from countries that pay an
export bounty upon their sugar. There IS
ground for difference of opinion
among Democrats as to whether any duty
upon sugar should be placed in our tariff bill
or not. 1t has always been commended by
those who have been leaders in the great tarih
reform movement in this country that of all the
articles yielding large revenue sugar was the
one article upon which an ideal Democratic
revenue tariff could be placed There would
be substantial agreement, i think, with that
position to-day in the Democratic party ex-
cent for the fact that the trainers Of the Nc
Kinley bill, in their zeal to cut off taxation
the larger part of which went into the public
treasury, in order that they might increase
taxes the larger part of which went into the
pockets of their benefciaries, loud applause on
the Democratic side,l placed raw sugar upon
the free list, gave a half cent Cor sixtenths OF
cent in the case of sugar imported from boun-
ty.paying countries) protection on the refined
sugar and provided a bounty to the producers
of sugar in this country By this action the
people have had taste of untaIed sugar and
it is difficult for us to get back to the position
originally occupied by the Democratic party.
Laughter on the Republican side.l 1t IS our
hope that we shall give them, if we succeed
in passing any sort of a wise and proper tariff
reform bill, taste of so many other untaxed
articles loud applause on the Democratic
sdel that protection can never raise its head
again in this country. [Renewed loud ap-
plause on the Democratic side
SIS it not possible Mr.. Speaker for any one
to state accurately on the proposed sugar
schedule of the Senate what would be the
amount of duty upon refined sugar which
would enure as a protection to the great re-
iining company of this country. Although l
had not fully reached that conclusion when
the House bill was prepared, l have no doubt
myself to-day that the business of sugar re-
filming can be carried on as cheaply in the
United States as in any other country in the
world, loud applause on the Democratic
side, and l have not the slightest doubt,
although sincere tariff reformers differ with
me on that point, that any difference whatever
upon refined sugar is simply so much bounty
provided for the great monopoly of refining
sugar in this country. Loud applause on the
Democratic sidel
IF therefore, the House conferees were
prepared TO recede from the House position for
free sugar and attempt to agree upon some
revenue taxation for sugar, they could not
without the mandate of this House accept such
provision as that which is offered in the Sen
ate bill. Loud applause on the Democratic
side.l
IF this be true, as stated by the gentleman
from Ohio, (Mr. Johnson,) of which l have
seen myself some afiirmations in the press; II
it be true that the great American Sugar Trust
has grown so strong and powerful that it say;
no tariff bill can pass the American Congress
in which its interests are not adequately
guarded: if say, that be true, hope thi:
House will never consent to adjournment
rGreat cheering on the Democratic side.
hope whatever the fate of the general tariff
bill is. that this House will not consent to an
adjournment until it has passed single bill
putting refined sugar on the free list. Renew
ed cheers on the Democratic side.l
''NIr. Speaker, shall not detain the House
with argument upon the other points of dis
pute between the two houses. have indica
ted the items l have, perhaps almost beyond
the limits of proper repetition, gone over from
time to time the arguments in favor of release
of the great materials Of industry from taxa
ton under any bill that may passed by Con
gress. will simply, therefore, in closing, cal
attention to the position in which we find our
selves to-day with reference to tariff taxation
This great question Of tariff reform has been
the burning, dividing question of American
politics for the last three presidential cam.
paigns. The American people have three
times voted for the present occupant of the
White House in the great issue of tariffreform
When, in 1855, we were defeated by mar
row margin before the people of this country
there was not a Democrat in all this land, who
did not feel, on the morning after the cleo
ton. as enthusiastic and as determined to press
forward in that fight as he did when the hope
of victory was with him the day before. ZAP
plsuse on the Democratic side II was because
of that determination it was because of grow
ing enthusiasm, it was because we felt the
spirit and the thrill of the spirit of American
liberty melted in us, it was because we felt the
Indictment Of great moral purpose which
multiples men by ten that we took up this
cause in 1855, and fought for it 1890 and pro-
vailed in 1892 Applause on the Democratic
side,l
The American people have given us the
responsibility Il remains to be seen whether
we also have the power to fulfill their man.
date. The bin which passed the House was
not only approved, prepared and voted for
by those who arc the immediate chosen ser
wants Of the taxpayers of this country, but it
has been officially approved and Endorsed by
the President, who was chosen by them to car
~ out this great reform Of the tariff. ZAP
plause on the Democratic side[ Tn Is every
part Of the machinery Of the United States
government to-day deriving its authority
from the direct vote Of the American people
has indorsed the scheme of tariff reform pro-
posed here and carried through this House.