The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-05-23
THE TARIFF EXPLODED.
More Evidence That the "Sham
Fight" is Over.

:: Fight" is Over.
On May 9th there was lively scene
) in the United States Senate, which
shows that the great Tariff issue is
:. practically exploded. Listen to this:
{ After some further running debate
Mr.. Aldrich got the floor and succeed
ed in arousing Mr.. Mills. He began
by referring to his assertion, in the
senate ten days ago, that over three
! hundred amendments would be
brought in. He knew then that his
statement was true. Yet it had been
met with the most tumultOus denials
from every one in authority'onthe 9TH
er side. His statement as to the
amendments had been too conserva-
tive. He had understated the radical
character and the number of changes
made. Those amendments deliberately
aodfd0ned ercry principle etcr dduOcated
by Tariff Reto,7ner.
IHEY MADE INCREASES FROM TEN
TO THREE HUNDRED PER CENT, and
With grand sweep changed the duties
from ad valorem to specitic. He read
! extracts from the speeches of Senators
voorhees, and Mills, made at the open
| ing and closing of the general debate,
| denouncing in the most severe terms
the system of specific duties. To swal-
low that bill as now modified, would
mean q surrender of the principles of q
tIe time. After this he said he did not
| think there was single senator, on
| the other side, who would have the
temerity to avow his allegiance to the
Chicago platform. They could do
nothing now but remain silent. Not
one OF them could vote for it without
stultifying himself in view of his par
ty platform.
"For as you understand the plat
FORM" suggested Mr.. Palmer.
1.-The platform condemns Republi-
can protection as unconstitutional
and a fraud and robbery" said Mr..
Aldrich.
"Yes," interjected Mr.. Vest, sit
condemns Republican protection.
Is there any diference?" asked Mr..
Aldrich, sarcastically "betaceer, Repub-
tlcdn and Democratic prOtectiOn?"
GA great DEAL" replied Mr.. Vest.
Mr.. Mills of Texas evidently did not
think SO. He arose at this point. The
shafts of the Rhode Island senator
had evidently gone home, and he was
laborlng under some excitement. He
wanted to repel the idea that he was
in any way responsible for what Mr..
Aldrich had termed the Democratic
surrender. A few days ago, he began,
he had described his own position as be-
tareen The deril and the deep sea, the Nc
Kinley bill being the de,fl. Since that
time change had come over the stu
alton. He was nearer the devil and
had not as much Sea room as before.
(Laughter) He now found that the
bill before the senate, as modified by
the amendment introdu uced, had no re-
senablance 10 the Wilson bill. 1t ought, he
said, to bear the name Of Mr.. German
or MIR. Brice. No man could torture
him into an admission that this bill
was response to democratic pledges.
He said that taxation should not be
levied on value: that it was the only
just system; that taxation should not
be imposed as under the specific syS-
tenn Of the Mckinley bill, SO that the
goods of the rich would escape with
the same tax as was levied upon the
cheaper articles of the poor. There he
had stood, and there would continue
to stand. He rose to say that he did
not intend to vote for single one of
the amendments carrying change to
specific duties. 1t was humiliating
enough to have to endorse the system
of robbery contained in the Mckinley
bill without bowling down in mortifca-
tion to accept the very badges of pro-
lection. The first amendment made
the surrender. 1t was continued
throughout the bill. until 1t acaS 1aoao q
question betueen the Mckinley bill and q
Democratic system of protection arnh re1y
little margin IN taror Of the Democratic
measure"
The truth is that the democratic
party is being ship-wrecked on the sec
tional idea.
Genl. Hancock was right when he
said the tariff was local issue, al
though the remark cost him then the
presidency. He might; if alive, 60 far
ther, and say that every question in
American politics to-day was a local
question. This is the reason that
the democrats cannot hold their forces
in line; this is the reason the republi-
cans are driven to play into the hands
of Wall Street, or leave the party: this
is the reason the Populist organiza-
tion has risen from the ranks of the
multitude. Cunning selfshness has
enriched the East at the expense of
the West, and they have no idea Of
politics except the perpetuation of
their advantages. Stupid PARTISAN
ship has reduced the West to poverty,
and now they are getting their eyes
open, and demand fair play, and an
equal share in the blessings of the
Union. l. d.