Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-05-31
DEFENDS TIE BILL
Senator German Defines the Purposes Of
TariR Reform.

The feature of the days session in
the senate on Wednesday the 23d was
Senator German S speech on the Wilson
DILL The senator spoke in favor of
immediate action on the bill. Follow
ing is the gist of the speech:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: We are nearing the end.
After twenty years OF political progress of
positive growth, of constant development and
OF universal enlightenment, the democratic
party and the American people within
sight of the promised land. Emancipation is
at hand-emancipation from partisan oppres-
sion, from the greed of classes, from extortion,
from wi1lful extravaganza, from financial
fantasy, from SpoilS. from restrictions upon
individual liberty. from jingoism. from all
those evils in brief, which the democratic party
inherited as hateful legacy from three dec
AIDES of republican maladministration-
I'VE were not only urged but ordered per-
emptor1ly to reform the tariff at once. Why
wait? Vote first Talk afterward. In obedi-
ence to the obvious wish of the country the
house OF representatives passed a tariff bill
early in the session Comparatively little time
was given to consideration of the various
schedules, and many changes in the bill as re-
ported were made in committee of the whole
without due regard for their ultimate effect
for existing Industrial conditions. The result
was necessarily an imperfect measure, which
not only failed to meet the requirements of the
treasury but actually increased the deficit Gre
ated by republican prohibitive duties. There
was no expectation that this bill would become
a law without change.
"Our friends on the other side seem very
anxious to learn upon what theory this bill was
constructed. 1 will tell them. 1t con-
structed upon the democratic theory of a tariff
for revenues, with such incidental protection
as can be given consistently to the industries
of the country. 1t follows strictly the course
marked out by President Cleveland in his letter
OF acceptance. 1t is not free trade measure,
but 1t is a longer step for freer trade than
either the Mills bill the tariff of 1883. 1t is
not q protection act for the sake of protection,
but it does discriminate between mate
rails and manufactured articles to the full
extent of the difference between European
and American wages. 1t is not deficit Great
ing bill, such as either the present law has
proved to be, or the bill which passed the
house was certain to be if enacted. 1t is dem
ocratic because it reduces taxation to the
actual requirements of the government 1t is
just because it eliminates the great majority of
the people. 1t is wise because 1t makes possible
the quick revival of business activity sadly
needed and universally desired. 1t is business
like because it provides sufficient revenue to
meet necessary expenditures without further
issue of bonds. 1t is patriotic because what
ever OF discrimination it contains is in favor of
American citizens. 1t is prudent because it
does not attempt to ignore facts in bearing out
a theory.
THE assertion that any trust or trusts have
dictated any part of any schedule of this bill
pronounce unqualifedly false. They have re-
ceived the same attention although not
much consideration as individuals engaged in
the business of manufactured more. no less.
We felt the necessity of dealing all such COM
binations a death blow, but found them
hedged about by bounty and other devices of
republican statesmen that it possible only
to curta1l their privileges to the fartheSt limit
consistent with the rights of others intimately
concerned but not responsible. This we have
done. We have reduced the duty lead &c
per cent, on steel rails SO per cent, and on re-
fined sugar 70 per cent. more than on the prod
OF other trust other article we
have gone quite as far can go, in a word,
without seriously impairing the governments
sources of necessary revenue. Much has been
said in criticism of our action in imposing any
duty whatever on sugar.
But let me ask any fair-minded man if it
would be just to the people of Louisiana to take
from them every shred of advantage foisted
upon them against their will by the republican
party for political purpose to deprive them in
fact of their very means OF livelihood and give
them nothing in return:
But if there were such industry or even
state in existence, the wonderful developments
OF beet sugar production in Nebraska and Cali
fornia fully warrants the incidental protection
which will be afforded by this revenue duty.
That is the reason why have placed an ad
valorem duty of 40 per cent on all sugars, and
I cannot and will not believe that the generous
minded people of the east. who themselves
have profited from such measures so long and
so greatly, will disapprove our action.
I'm the matter of internal revenue I may say
sentiments so ably and eIoQuently expressed
by the senators from New York and New Jer-
sey regarding the income tax. Like them.
consider that 1t served its purpose war
tax and has no fitting place in our fiscal system
in time of peace. L could not, 1 say frankly,
vote conscientiously consistently with my
Judgment and convictions to make this method
of taxation part OF our settled policy. But,
much as deplore the fastening of an income
tax in any form upon our tariff bill, cannot,
as democrat, bound in honor to let no ordi-
nary prejudice difference in opinion prevent
the passage of tarin measure. refuse to vote
for this amendment simply and solely, how
ever. as an emergency tax.
THE blame for any further delay in the set
Element of this question must rest upon the
other side of this chamber. We are ready for
q final vote to-day-now, at once Every hour
occupied by useless debate from this moment
must be charged up to the republican party.
If the representatives of that party are sincere
IN their expressions Of belief that the return OF
prosperity can only be achieved by the def
mite action of congress, the remedy is In their
own hands If they are honest in their express
sions of confidence that the passage of this bill
will drive the democratic party out OF power
their opportunity is here and now. We are
more than willing to let the country judge be-
tween the revenue measure which we shall pass
and the existing protection law
ITO nv friends on this side of the chamber
say, in conclusion, that we have only.to stand
firm. There has never yet been time IN the
history of this senate when clear majority
was unable to enact law. Manifest obstruc-
tion, however, concealed by q pretense OF legit-
innate debate, cannot prevail against a deter
mined effort to accomplish purpose absolute
ly essential to the prosperity of the country
and approved by vast majority OF American
citizens.
There need be no fear of the result. The
people will soon understand, If they do not
now fully comprehend, the true situation.
Only let the millions of patriotic citizens who
stood shoulder to shoulder in the great cru
SADIE against usurpation and wrong reflect that
performance is difficult in the same degree as
criticism is easy, and be at least tolerant on
the eve of fulfillment, never forgetting that,
while opinions may honestly differ, the one I'M
derlying patriotic purpose still animates all
Patience. forbearance, courage. The shadow is
not that of the horizon. Now, of all times, the
sun of democracy is at the meridian. Before
the second year of responsibility shall have
ended the cloud before it will have rolled
away, and its radiance will rest upon land
blessed with peace and plenty, and upon a peo-
pie prosperous and happy in the knowledge
that, after thirty years in the wilderness, they
have at last come into their own"
LITTLE GRlNS.