The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-18
A sENsIBLE MANS SENSIBLE TALK.

Senator Palmer, Of Illinois. is one Of the
men who, Ike Secretary Morton, are
growing on us all the time. Whenever
ae talks In the Senate re utters sense
We quote the following from some of
his remarks on Monday last as they
appear in the Congressional Record:
The assumption by protcctiOnlsts that
they can secure prosperity by congress"
sional legislation is one Of those shock
ing absurdlties from which the country
Is recovering very rapidly, and the time
Is not distant when higher Views VIII be
presented TO the American people. The
time will come when we shall forget
our savish fear OF Great Britain, and we
shall assume that position among the
nations OF the world that we deserve to
maintain. We will seek the commerce
of the world, and we shall do so by the
largest freedom OF trade. That is the
the future Of this country.
Years ago the manufacturing industries
of the country were diffused everywhere.
and the farmer found In his midst, at
his home, the manufacturer ready to
furnish that which he needed. and took
from him In exchange that which he had
TO SELL That was one condition. That
was the condition in the early days or
The Republic. But now the manufactures
Of this country have passed under the
control Of capital, and capital has MAIN
tained the protection that II has enjoyed
The Republican party being I'm possession
OF both branches OF the Government,
legislative and executive the act OF 1880
was passed which | understand was
passed by the protectonists. They pass
ed a bill that met their own views eX-
actly. IL was protective as the protec-
tionists understand protection. IL was
maintained by the rretense that 1t was
an the interest of labor, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
the fact is that all the manufacturing
fnduetries of this country have passed
away from the people.
In two counties in Illinols-the one in
which I live and the other in which
had my home some years ago-there
are half dozen wooden manufacturing
establishments which have been convert
ed TO some other purpose. passed the
other day a very fiourishing town In
Illinois where parties had built up a
wooden factory. The glass IS out of the
windows. and the business Is abandoned.
Organized capital has collected and now
controls all the great productive indus
tries OF the country. Ii has had its own
will in reference 10 protection. II has
maintained itself by the miserable pre-
tense that this legislation Is intended For
the benefit Of labor. without any at
tempt 90 divide and fix the share OF the
protective advantages that labor Is TO
have.
II believed in protection at all
should. in addition TO the rate OF duty.
TX by law the rate Of division. l should
give to capital its proportion. and !
should insure 10 labor it's fair share OF
the earnings. ! should not leave labor
10 the tender mercies of capital should
not allow that pretense. by which these
great industries have all passed into the
control OF these powerful capitalists and
organizations, TO be employed TO de-
ceive. Talk about American labor, Can't
tai has no habltation II Is money that
belongs 10 the world. II operates on a
principle directly opposite TO that Of the
waters OF the ocean which seek the
lowest level. Capital seeks the highest
level. IL goes wherever II can find profit
and II invites an American Senate into
this very difficult and impossible duty.
say difficult; impossible is the word
The senator. from Rhode Island NIr
Aidnch). who I understand 10 be the
representative OF protection and protec-
tionists, ultra-protectionists. by any
name which you choose 10 assign 20
them. Is undertaking now 10 estimate the
proportions that labor shall have; how
much Congress will give TO labor. and
how much II will give 10 capital. al
though ! believe II is understood that
capital can take care OF itself anywhere.
and always does and our sympathies are
simply called out for labor The senator
understands now that Congress must In
some way In the passage OF the pending
bill see to II that labor is provided with
employment and with remunorative
wages. Ibat Is the work he has under
taken, and repeat that work is an I'm