The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-07-27
WARM DEBATE.
a Lively Scene IN the Senate of
the United States.
8r. Hill Makes n Remarkable Speech De-
Tending the Presidents Tarin Letter,
to which MI. Vest Replies
With Mach vehemence.


the conference committee on the tariff
bill being under discussion, Senator
Hill, of New York, spoke with much
feeling. He said:
theory as well as Q condition now con-
fronts us. The theory Of the democratic
party is that in the enactment OF tariff legisla-
zion free raw materials should be an essential
and conspicuous element; Ii is our creed that
the materials which enter into our manufact-
ures should be freed from the burden Of tariff
taxation. The best interests of the manu-
facturers well as the consumers OF the land
demand the recognition OF this wise discrim-
ination. We are committed to this side of the
question. and we cannot retreat and we cannot
retract. We are honorably bound to redeem
our professions and our promises Justice,
good faith and decent regard for public senti-
meut all require this.
Until recently had supposed that there was
no dispute upon this question Of principle, but
that every democrat worthy OF the name was
willing to concede that IL there was one thing
more than another to which the democratic
party was committed. it was in favor OF the
doctrine OF absolute free raw materials The
true and honest construction OF every demo-
cratic national platform for twelve years past
irrevocably commits US to this Just and reason
able principle.
Mr. Hill read the democratic national
platform of 1892, and continued:
Torepeal the Mckinley law in form simply; to
re-enact it in effect, is keeping this promise to
the letter but breaking it in spirit. The plat
form pointed with pride and deliberately APP
proved the measure for free iron ore, free coal
and free wool. which were pending in congress
at the time of the convention. The democratic
position was so plain and is SO clear that he
who runs may read.
II any democratic senator in any part Of the
country. forgetting the interests of the whole
land and subscribing the supposed interests OF
a locality. promised the people Of any state or
section that there would be any exception
made to the enforcement OF the general prin-
ciple OF raw materials when the democrats
should obtain power he exceeded his authority
and misinterpreted our position.
II is said by some in justification or excuse
for their present action. that the presidents
letter OF acceptance in 1892 modified the ex-
IRENE demands OF our platform. 1t is true
that some portions OF his letter may tend to
bear that construction. 1t was not that bold.
ringing and explicit declaration in favor of the
platform which his party had a right to expect,
hut was regarded by many as timid, cautious
and conservative: but whether this criticism
is or is not well founded, the fact remains that
he had no power or authority to change or
alter one line or sentence or provision OF the
national platform which had been deliberately
adopted by the national convention assembled.
No president gan be above his party; no presi-
dent can dictate to his party; no president can
change his party platform.
But no matter what idea it may be claimed
was intended to be conveyed in his letter of
acceptance in mitigation or modification OF the
platform, there can be no doubt as to the presi-
dents position at this time Upon this essential
principle of free raw materials. Let me read
from that remarkable letter of the presidents
which was yesterday presented to the house of
representatives. It expresses better than can
=
of the democratic party upon this question.
After reading extracts from this let
ter. Mr.. Hill continued:
Mr.. President. approve of every word that
have quoted. 1t is an honest and manly state
ment Of the true attitude which the party
should assume in this crisis. / am not required
TO defend the propriety or wisdom of this pro-
mitigation OF this letter at this peculiar time.
1t may have been indiScreet; it may operate as
a fire-brand to spread the flames of discord al
ready kindled among party friends. honestly
differing. as 1 am disposed to concede, upon
questions Of public and party policy. 1t was a
time for diplomacy. stateSmanShip and concili-
tion. rather than recrimination. denunciation
and Arrangement But aside from the question
of its mere eXpediency, 1 am here to defend the
president letter in so far that il demands that
the party shall not be led astray into the vio-
lation of democratic pledges and principles.
Upon the question of free raw materials the
president is right, and you know it. You can
not answer his arguments. You cannot sue
cesSfully dispute his propositions. You cannot
doubt his sincerity and patriotism. You must
yield in the end to his views. You cannot stand
up against the sentiment Of the democratic
masses OF the country which will rally around
the president in his contest with you upon this
particular branch OF the subject. The time to
yield is now. before there is further humilia-
ton embarrassment and discord
Mr.. President having demonstrated that the
true democratic theory Of revenue reform re-
quires that free raw materials should be its
Distinguishing feature, let US next inquire
what is the condition which now con-
fronts US The senate bill which was
passed violates this democratic theory. and
while it reduces the duty on iron, coal and some
other raw materials from those imposed under
the Mckinley law, and in that respect is COM
mendable, it nevertheless imposes some duties
thereon, and thereby fails to redeem our
pledges 1t is not a question of the amount OF
duties which may be imposed but question OF
principle involved. and single penny's duty
violates our promises and places US in a false
position. As the president well says, there can
be no compromise on question Of this char
acter, where vital principle was at stake.
The house OF representatives, fresh from the
people, which represents more distinctly and
Peculiarly than We DO the taxing power Of the
people, repudiateS our bill. and democratic
president has emphasized that repldiation,
and the condition which confronts US is one of
extreme embarrassment Shall We surrender
10 the house while We can do so honorably, or
shall We wait until we are driven to it:
In the light OF the letter of the president
the house cannot honorably retreat. 1t
has no other alternative except to insist
upon its bill wherein it provides for free raw
materials The president cannot approve the
senate bill after what he has said in this re-
narkable letter. He arraignS the senate and
intinateS that the enactment Of the senate
bill means party perhdy and party dishonor."
These are strong words which the president
Of the United States would not use toward a
measure which he ever expected afterward to
approve
This letter. unusual and unprece 1ented in
its character and method OF pronunciation.
though il may De. nevertheless clearly fore
shadows veto OF the senate bill even II the
house should finally concur in our amend
mentS- What person would expect the presi-
dent 10 approve the senate bill after its vigor-
o1S and Sc2thin- Remuneration contained in
his letter. You would think less of him for
his glarinE inconsistency. No this letter is
significant il is bold. vigorous. even il an i'm
prudent letter. L means war 10 the knife
against the senate bill: it juStifies much that
has been said against the senate bill during all
the last three months. il means that it can
never receive the executive approval: il means
that the senate cannot be permitted
10 abandon or surrender the great IN
DERIVING principles for which We fought
and won il ls92 The president is right: there
Is 10 middle ground which We can occupy. No
bill which does not provide for free raw ma
ieriaiS can be permitted 20 become a Law. 7.
Is unnecessary TO enter into any argument to
define or designate what articles constitute
raw materials Every democrat knows what
they are Any article may be considered raw
material when il is in the lowest or crude state
This definition is ample and SUFFICIENT and Will
redeem our pledges if il is honestly applied. |
The party platform was for free. hot freer raw
materials as is now iageliously commended