The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-24
CRfTfCIsMs ON rHk fARITF BILL.
senator VOORHEES, w rites u Letter Replying
to Them.

WASHINGTON, d. c., April 23-Sena-
tor Voorhees, has written a letter to Mr.
John B. Stol. OF South Bend. Ind. re-
ferring TO criticisms upon the Senate
tariff bill. While defending the tili. he
disclaims responsibility for II. calling at
tention to the fact that there are Ave
other Democratic senators on the COM
mittee, whose opinions, as we'll as his
own, were consulted In preparing tho
bill. Senator voorhees, says:
There are several features In the bill
now pending in the Senate which ! did
not desire 10 have in 1t, but because
was overruled on those points ! did not.
therefore, feel at liberty 10 Join the Re
publican members OF the committee. re-
port no bill at all, defeat all proposed
legislation, and thereby leave the Nc
Kinley law to remain on the statute books.
You will see that the bill we reported
reduces taxes nearly seventy-seven mil
lions per annum. $23.500,000 OF that amount
being taken off the wearing apparel OF
e. people. / say to you with the utmost
frankness and sincerity that l fought
hard against any duty at all being put
on sugar. iron or coal. but when II was
demonstrated in a full three days hard
working caucus OF all the Democratic
senator's. as well as in the committee.
that n bill with these articles absolutely
on the free list could no more pass the
Senate than a ship OF lead could navigate
the ocean. I came 20 the conclusion. az
ter anxious and painful solicitude, that
it was my plain, clear and explicit outy
TO the laboring masses or the country,
and especially to the Democratic party OF
Indiana, TO support the bill as II now
stands. TO make sure of the immense
reductions IN tariff taxation which IL
guarantees and then continue the nkhN
fsv farth~ sscsress and reform hereafer-
IL / have made a mistake In us diS-
charge of my duty as one or your seha-
tors IL Is In believing that the bill we
renorted. and which Is now pending. In
greatly to be preferred 10 no Legislation
at ALTO the odious Mckinley law,
which we stand pledged 20 repeal
"But / think much IL being said ana
written now I'm absolute ignorance OF what
the Senate bill, as well as the wilson
bill actually contains. Are the people or
Indiana aware OF the fact that the lowest
average rate OF duty or OF tarin TAX
ever known in this country since the
Walker tariff Of 1916. and It's subsequent
Democratic amendments In lSI Is the
rate now provided for and contained IN
the bill had the honor TO report 10 the
Senate on the Uth day OF Mar0n' a''"
which is now pending? The imperious
demand that the Senate shall pass the
Wilson bill without amendment " a
bur!esque on common sense. There Is
not an intelligent man In the United
states with information on the subject VINO
has Cor moment thought the Wilson
bin was to pass the senate without
amendment. Its own authors ana sup
porters have never expected anything Of
the kind.
Rather than knowingly and con-
sciously secure the passage OF a bill which
aimed 10 provide revenue for the Gov
eminent. but In reality provided for a
deficiency and consequent increase OF
our interest-bearing bonded debt. would
gladly leave my seat here In the Senate
and hide myself forever as far as posi-
Bile from public disgrace.
After all, however, both the bills are
alike, merely tentative and experimental; !;
they will have TO go together 10 the
joiat conference committee Of the two
houses: neither OF them In terms VIII
become the law"