The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-07-23


Of my colleagues upon this point, I can
only say for myself that I do not hesitate
to accept the verdict Of the tribunal as
just and right.
The Party Has the Power.
81 have always believed, Mr. President.
and believe now, that of all people in the
civilized world the American people are
most abundantly endowed with the price
less heritage of common sense. Having that
belief and apprecia ting, in the face of the
undisguised threats uttered and applauded
by our party colleagues in the house OF
representatives, the necessity of plain speak
ing, l wish to direct the candid considera-
ton Of fair-mnded men to a brief state
ment of facts. When the time came for the
democratic party to fulfill it's pledges and
reform the tariff the house of representa-
tiVeS contained democratic ma jority of
elghty-seven. This fortunate condition
alone made easy the task of securing the
adoption of any party measure regardless
of the local and state interests involved
But even this advantage in securing party
legislation was hardly greater than that
afforded by the adoption of rules which
enabled the majority to close debate ar
bitrarily and prevent obstruction delay
of any kind. Under these circumstances
no difficulty was experienced in passing a
tariff bill, despite the fact that it's provis-
ions were so offensive to some that the
party line was broken and no less than
seventeen democrats voted against the
bill. Still the party was large and the
rules SO well adapted to action that their
detection hardly noticed. | submit,
therefore, Mr.. President, that, whatever
may have been the quality of the states
manship and management which character
lied the conduct of the original bill in
the house, surely the highest order of abil-
ity was not absolutely essential to that
free and untrammeed action on the part
of the house conferees to which they seem
to attach so much Importance.
Democracy's Weak Point.
"How different was the situation in the
senate. Here the democratic majority
three. The detection of only two would
turn the democratic majority into a demo-
cratic minority. Practically every vote was
needed to enact party Legislation. Indeed,
is a matter of fact, there never has been
a time when forty-three senators would
bind themselves to abide by the decree of
a democratic caucus. / apprehend Mr..
President without designing the slightest
reflection upon his capacity as party lead
err that the chairman of the ways and
means committee would have found this
situation far more trying than that which
enabled him to dispense with seventeen
votes and still retain a clear majority of
nearly sixty in the house. In any event.
MANY times two democratic senators could
not see their way clear in justice to the
interests of their constituents or the whole
country, to vote for the Wilson Dill. Just
how many held this position | cannot say
| know that | one. | made no conceal
ment of the fact, and ] make none now.
1t has been charged that a small minority
of northern senators insisted upon conSid-
era tion for the welfare of their constituents
and that in consequence OF their demands
the ma jority of democratic senator's We're
constrained to make concession. NAT IS a
fact. But, sir. it must not be forgotten
that that minority was not only speaking
for a vast majority of the people numerl-
cally, but caring for and protecting ninety
nine one hundredths Of the industries which
made this nation what it is today. They had
a right to speak and they were heard"
VAR. Smiths tltimatum.
Tn conclusion Mr.. Smith said:
$50 far as | am concerned-and | think
I speak also for several of my colleagues
there has not been, and Will not be, the
slightest change in my position. | accepted
the income tax in its modified form as
sense of duty to my party but did so with
the greatest reluctance and with the distinct
declaration regarding other portions of the
measure, I would not vote for any bill or
any amendment that would make it impos-
sbe for a single industry to continue or
resume operations. [ believe, sir, that the
committee on finance will bear me out in
the assertion that | have done everything
i'll my power to aid them in their work.
1t is true that | have urged the necessity
or care ana moderation IN revising the
schedules which directly concern the in
dustries of my state, but I believe they will
concede disposition my part to be
fair and reasonable, and l know that
have demanded far greater concessions from
my constituents than | have sought from
the finance committee.
Mr.. President, it has been charged that
We are not sincere in our advocacy of the
senate BILL that we have made it for trad
DIlrpOSeS and that those OF rs who
pose the Wilson bill would rush into line
at the first crack of the whip. did not sup
pose, sir, that any person familiar with the
character of this body would be misled by
a notion so puerle But it is evident from
the attitude of our colleagues in the house
that either they do not believe that
meant what We said or that they are will
ing to invite the defeat Of legislation. If the
former. | have only to say that they have
mistaken their men. Ii the latter they must
answer to the people for the defeat of a bill
which should, and ! believe would, satisfy
all reasonable expectations"
Senator Hill Speaks.
Mr. TIilIs opening sentence was: "a theo-
ry as we'll as a condition, cOnfronts
u.s."
He paused and a laugh ran around the
galleries. When it had been stilled by the
gavel, Mr.. Hill proceeded:
THE theory of the democratic party is
ton free raw materials should always be
an essential and conspicuous element. It
is our creed that those things on which the
industrial prosperity and progress of our
country so much depends-the materials
which enter into manufactures should be
freed from the burden of tariff taxation.
The best interests of the manufacturers,
as well as the consumers of the land, de-
mand the recognition Of this wise discrimi-
nation. 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 q decent regard for
public sentiment all require this course.
Until recently l had supposed that there
dispute upon this question of prin-
cipIe, but that every democrat worthy of
the name, was willing to concede that if
there one thing more than another to
which the democratic party was committed
it was in favor of the doctrine of free
materials, not simply freer raw materials,
as some now ingeniously contend, but alb
solutely free raw materials. | repeat that
we cannot escape our record upon THIS sub
ject even if we disposed to do so. The
true and honest construction Of every
democratic platform for twelve years past
irreYocabiy commits us to this just and
reasonable principle. 1t is said by some,
in justification of or excuse for their pres
ent action, that the presidents letter of ac-
ceptance in 1892 modified the extreme de-
mands of our platform. It is true that
soma norfiOns of his letter tend to