The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-06-02
SPEECH OF HON. A. P. eoRMAN
In the U. s. Senate May %.
Following is the speech of Senator German on tn
tariff bill. lie said:

No political organization ever faced more trying
situation than that which confronted the Democrat
ic party upon It's resumption of power AFTER thirty
years Of deposition. The millions of American citi-
zens who participated in the political revolution Of
1892 represented no single class and stood Tor no
single prejudice They were mighty army hy1 con-
of independent citizens who had served their time
in the Republican party, and regiments OF young
men actuated by education. reason and PATRIOTISM
The victory achieved, these many diverse elements
became. not demoralized, but dlsputations- None
doubted the wisdom of securing the fruits of trf-
umph, but all could not agree upon the methods by
which they should be obtained.
Dissension bred disbursement. The very liberty
of thought and action which had sustained the
Democratic party through all these years OF disrust
and disaster and drawn within its folds the con-
science and young life of the nation cast shadow
before the ultimate and certain triumph of principle
and good government The bold were impatient 10
Inc verge Of rashness The timid hesitated. Ina
biity 10 make Others think they thought clouded
the Judgment of honest minds. Dissatisfaction with
details befogged for the moment that great common
purpose which drew together an overwhelming ma
jority of American citizens only few months be-
fore.
into power simultaneously with the culmination OF
a generation of misrule and public abuses. The
people recognized the evils repudiated those re-
sponsible for their existence, and and put upon US
the task of eradication and reform. But few If any,
appreciated the extent of the undertaking. Tariff
reform the one great achievement decreed and
necessary, would have been comparatively easy
then. But the fruits of Republican policy had not
yet been reaped. heedless and il-eonsidered imam
fANNNNSN
Business depression became so general that the
whole country seemed likely to be panic stricken.
1t was absolutely necessary TO subordinate all other
questions to the prompt eradication of this evil.
None of us who were here at that time Will soon Tor
get the memorable struggle which followed. Party
lines were broken at the very beginning OF Demo-
cratic administration, but patience and courage
triumphed in the end, as patience and courage
The most eaptious Of critics could not refuse a
grudging tribute to the strength and persistence that
overcame obstacles which seemed TO be insurmount-
of.l Go far hp N
commended but the critical tendency had become
irrcStible We were not only urged but ordered
peremptorily TO reform the tariff at once. Why
wait? Vote first. Talk afterwards"
Mr. President il is not my purpose to pass judg-
ment upon advice such as this. FURNISHES its own
answer TO sane and intelligent minds. Nor shall /
attempt to rebuke those Impatient friends whose
censure know in most cases has been wholly I'M
merited and whose zeal has so far outrun their dis
erection as TO jeopardize the very purpose which
they aim TO achieve. II is sufficient TO recall the
fact that exactly similar cries were heard during
the silver debate. when, as now they seemed to
some degree warranted by the unfortunate indus
trial conditions. But when we look back upon that
incident in our legislative history. as we can look
back now without prejudice, and consider all the
circumstances and the difficulties both within and
without the party is not more surprising that the
victory was won ut all than that the Vanqulsned
refused yield the first blast the trumpet? Was
ever so complete reversal of our financial policy
accomplished in so short time?
This is May, and there is now bill before the
Senate which has receive the Endorsement and
will receive the votes ola Democratic majority of
tor asks, with the usual attempt ut satire; winch
bill?" We have become accustomed to the states
anship characteristic OF the parrot during this de-
bate that its omission is more noticeable than its
ntterance. But Mr. President would not deprive
our friends the other side of their innocent pas
time Nobody can dispute their right 10 betray
either their shallowneSs. their inconsistency, or
their hypocrisy. If unceasing exhibition of these
qualities affords them pleasure we surely have no
cause for complaint. Knowing, sir as we do. that
we have majority pledged TO this measure, we can
well afford not merely TO contemplate with the ut
most equanimity their abortive attempts to disrupt
our organization, but even 10 throw the mantle OF
charity the willful misrepresentation of rabid
partisanship. To whatever satisfaction they are
able TO obtain from their present course they are
more than welcome We have not yet become con-
WINGED that the people have lost their power OF
between the acts of men who are
earnestly striving to do their duty and the tricks
and subterfuges of those who are willing to sacrifice
the interests fthe country to the demands OF party
prejudice
The people are the judges in this matter and their
decision win be rendered, not upon the construe
tive, but the completed work. We make no attempt
and have desire to evade responsibility right
fully ours. We accept it TO the full and | believe
that speak for Democratic majority of this body
when say that not one will hesitate TO abide by
the result All that ask is such consideration as
ever has been and trust ever will be accorded
by fair minded American citizenst to those of their
whose incentive is patriotism and
whose purpose is sincere.
We could not rightfully expect to obtain this con-
sderaton upon the assertions of our political
enemies TIE people are entitled to all the facts,
For this reason and for no other shall review
briefly the history of the bill upon which Demo-
cratic majority is now united. In doing So shall
speak with the utmost candor and without reserve
Of any kind or fear of contradiction.
In obedience to the obvious wish of the country,
the House of Representatives passed tariff bill
carly in the session. Comparatively little time
given to consideration of the various schedules
and many changes in the bill reported were made
in Committee of the Whole without due regard for
their ultimate effect or for exstingindustrial con-
ditionS. The result was necessarily an imperfect
measure which not only failed to meet the require
ments of the Treasury but actually increased the
deficit created by Republican prohibitive duties.
There was no expectation that this bill would
become a law without change. From time i'm
it has been the custom in tariff revision
for the House of Representatives 10 euunciate the
general policy of the party III power and for the
senate TO perfect the bill This was done notably in
1890 when the Senate amendments exceeded 800
without exciting the derison of our friends the
other side. and the authors OF the Wilson bill fully
expected and desired that this course should be
pursued in this instance.
But no sooner dld the FINANCE committee begin
its work than the cry for action was renewed with
vigor This imperfect bill was upheld,
not as q suitable basis for tariff revision, but
principle in itself We were informed
hat any change whatsoever would be set down as
betrayal of the party's promises" We were told
-ubstantially that there was no room in the Demo-
ratio party for honest difference of opinion regard
ng even such purely business matters as tariff
chedules that the Unforeseen change i'll industrial
onditions did not merit the slightest consideration,
nat every Senator who showed the least concern
OF the interests of his own State was traitor TO
lie Union and his party, that the Senate itself had
eased to be coordinate branch of the Govern
lent and that its sole duty to ratify blndy the
ecrees of the House.
II would be idle Mr. President to dwell upon the
manifest absurdites of this outgrowth of petulance
Sut it not be denied that the demand for prompt
lction seriously impaired the efficiency of the FL
lance Committees work and ultimately became so
,trong that revision was hastily completed and the
ill was reported TO the Senate yentured the as
where the truth of the old adage, the greater
taste, the less speed better exemplified than in
legislation. So il proved then. and so it is now.
do not promise to discuss the merits or dement's
If either the original Wilson bill or the measure
irst reported by the Finance Committee It is sufi
,ient to say that there has never been a moment
when either could command majority of the votes
n this Chamber. We might deplore such eondi-
ion and Others might and did rail against those in
measure responsible for IT, But the fact remained
hat we could not pass the bill.
That, sir, was the situation which we were oblig-
I'd to meet and we have met II by the Introduction
If Democratic measure of tariff reform, which
merits, and believe will receive every Democrat
C vote in this body, the Endorsement of a Demo-
.ratic House. the signature of a Democratic Presi
lent, and the approval ofth Democratic party.
Our friends on the other side seem very anxious
o learn upon what theory this bill was constructed.
will tell them. Ii was constructed upon the DEM
Dcratic theory of tariff for revenue, with such in
,idental protection can be given consistently to
he industries of the country 1t follows strictly the
,onrse marked ont by President Cleveland in his
etter ofaeceptance in these words:
Tariff reform is still our purpose. Though we OPP
)ose the theory that tariff laws may be passed hav-
ng for their object the granting OF discriminating
md unfair governmental aid TO private ventures,
We wage no eXterminatlng war against any A1nerl-
AN interests. We believe a reimbursement can be
accomplished in accordance with the principles We
profess without disaster or demolition. We believe
hat the advantages of freer raw materials should
Ne accorded to our manufacturers, andwe contem-
,late a fair and careful distribution of necessary
arif burdens rather than the precipitation of free
rade
II is upon this utterance this platform of his own
Making that Mr.. Cleveland was reelected President
md the Democratic party was intrusted with full
,ower If there had been the slightest apprehension
n the public mind of radical overturning of our
Industrial affairs. Mr.. Cleveland would not have
,een elected and he could not now in honor attach
lis signature to bill which would have that effect
( our Republican friends Will examine the bill
lnder consideration with sincere desire 10 find an
nswer for their question they will discover that its
PROVISIONS conform precisely with this declaration
4 Mr. Cleveland and that its passage will be US COM
,ete Il fulfiIlment of the policy thus enunciated as
he people desire would approve under existing
II Is not free-trade measure. but it is longer
tep in that direction than either the Mills bill or
he tariff of 1885 1t is not protection act for the
axe of protection but it does discriminate between
aw materials and manufactured articles TO the fnll
xtent of the difference between European and
american wages. II is not dehcit-creating bill.
ueh as either the present law has proven to be or
S the bill which passed the House was certain TO be
enacted tits Democratic. because 1t reduces TAX
tiOn to the actual requirements OF the Government
Is Just because it eliminates the favoritism OF the
,rasenf law AMI lessons the burdens upon the great