Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-16
THE SHEEP INDUSTRY
Senator Proctor Proves Its Protection
From the Bible
Some Particularly Apropos Quota
tiOns Given That Cause Amuse-
mcnt to Senators.

Senator Proctor achieved sudden repu-
tation a senatorial humorist last evening
by making what Is probably the most
unique speech on the tariff bill that has
yet been delivered. The debate was on the
wool schedule of the bill, and Mr.. Proctor
took occasion in a comparatively brief ad-
dress to quote from that standard refer
ence. the Bible, to indicate the history of
the wool industry. The first recorded at
tempt" he said. "to break down the inter
ests Of sheep husbandry was when Cain
slew his brother Abel. who was the keeper
Of Sheep" The Senate was immediat tely
convulsed, and the closest attention was
paid to the quaint remarks of the tall
statesman from Vermont He continued:
1.-The motives and purposes which actuated
Cain were plainly the same as those which
actuate his followers today. 1t was jeal-
ousy of a preferred and protected industry.
Cam was a tiller of the ground. and
brought OF the fruit OF the ground an Of
ferinS unto the Lord
This Offering may have been of rice or
cotton or sugar-the Record does not state
The punishment meted out to Cain fairly
foreshadows that which shall be meted out
ure: mark shall be set upon them and
when the time of retribution comes they
will say. with Cain: My punishment is
greater than l can bear"
Favored Industry.
Mr.. Proctor went on to quote considerably
from the Holy Writ to show that sheep
husbandry was. from the earliest times.
considered favored industry Abra ham
rendered eve lambs as witnesses of an oath
In one of the earliest real estate transac-
tions on record. Mr.. Proctor alluded to the
success Of Jacob in improving the breed of
sheep which grew out of a bargain with
Laban, his father-ln law, as described in
the 18th chapter of Genesis. The quota
tions were particularly apt. The shepherd
and his calling and his flock" continued
Mr.. Proctor. are often alluded to In the
Holy Writ. and furnish some of its grand
est imagery and most beautiful illustra-
tons. Many of those specially favored of
the Lord were shepherds, and everywhere
that calling Is referred to as one OF the
highest character plainly recognizing its
Importance to the welfare and prosperity of
the people.
THE fate of those who attack this indus
try and the flocks of their country is plain
ly foreshadowed In and prophesied In many
places" Mr. Proctor quoted the following
David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept
his fathers sheep. and there came a lion
and bear and took lamb out of the
mock and went out after him and smote
him and delivered II out of his mouth and
when he arose against me l caught him
by the beard and smote him and slew him
Thy servant slew both the lion and the
bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine
shall be as one of them, seeing he has de-
fied the armies of the living God"
Fate of the Political Philistines.
The same fate. Mr.. President" re-
marked Mr.. Proctor. in his deepest bass
and most solemn manner. will surely be
meted out to the political Philistine Of the
present day in November, 1894, and 1896.
The rewards awaiting those who are faith
fW In sustaining the industries Of their
country are also foretold." Mr. Proctor
quoted several passages to show the glori-
Gus future of those who cared for the
sheep. and he concluded his reference to
the Bible as follows, sending the Senate
into a convulsion of laughter: "As a further
evidence of the Divine preference II is
written that he shah set the sheep on
his right hand, but the goats on the left -
The intended application Of this sentence
to the present situation Is obvious