Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-06-13

amount of revenue In the falresl anu
most consistent manner, for the best
interests of the whole country, plac-
ing the highest duties on the luxuries
and the lowest on the necessaries of
life.
The political structure of the pres
ent tariff bill has been ably outlined
in the House bill, embodying the
principles and policy of the Demo
cratic party, as unsderstood in its
platform and the letter of acceptance
of President Cleveland, which went
to the country together, as the policy
of the party before the people of the
United States. The political theory
of the bill is less difficult and subject
to fewer differences of opinion than
the practical common-sense business
problem to be adjusted to meet the
various views ana honest conviction
of the representatives of this great
country, whose industrial and pro-
ducing interests are as varied as their
geographical locations differ.
1t is a fact, Mr.. President, that
any tariff bill framed upon revenue
basis, intended to raise q given
amount of revenue from customs
duties laid upon imported articles
manufactured or produced in this
country, carries with it incidental
protection upon every article upon
which it is laid to the extent of the
duty imposed. This is result that
can not be evaded or disguised.
The only way to remedy it would be
by direct taxation, or to lay all tar
if duties on articles not manufac-
tured or produced in this country,
and which could not therefore come
into competition with the produc-
tions of this country. This being
so, and the amount of revenue re-
ouired to be raised from tariff duties
at this time to meet the necessities
of the country being estimated at
about $40, 900, 900, free-trade bill
is not and could not be intended,
although the policy of the Demo
cratic party is unquestionably to-
wards lower duties and 'freer"
trade, which may, and l trust will,
continue to grow from year to year
in that direction as fast as the neces-
sites of the Government and the
general business interests of the
country may permit.
In my judgment, this idea is most
clearly and wisely expressed in the
letter of acceptance of President
Cleveland, when he says:
Tariff reform is still our purpose, though
we oppose the theory that tariff laws may be
passed having for their object the granting OF
discriminating and unfair governmental aid
TO private ventures. We wage no exterminat-
ing war against any American interests. We
believe adjustment can be accomplished
in accordance with the principles VIC profess
without disaster or demolition. We believe
that the advantages of freer raw materials
should be accorded to our manufacturers, and
we contemplate fair and careful dis tribution
of necessary tariff burdens rather than the
precipitation of free trade.
Mr.. President, there can be no
more difficult question than to har-
monize the views of representatives
of all the States, whose mauufactur
ing, industrial, and producing in
terests vary as their locations geo.
graphically differ. We have all ex-
perienced the diversities of opinion
that exist even in our own States on
these points. 1t will be no news to
any Senator upon this floor to say
that in every State different views
come to its Senators from different
counties, cities, and localities, out
lining conflicting instructions and
opinions as to what its Senators
should do on given questions of tariff
taxation, but no diversity of Opionion
has reached us as TO the necessity
and urgency of speedy action:
All seem to be united on that point
and willing to make concession on
other points to accomplish that re-
suit; and, Mr.. President, nothing
short of infinite wisdom could ad-
Just and fill in the schedules Of tar
iff bill that would meet the judgment
and approval of every representative
in legislative body, or the varied
interests of the constituents they rep
resent, and if we could conceive
poin. at which infinite wisdom could
halt and stumble it would be in rec
onciling the conflicting and contra
dictory views we listen to from day
to day from our Republican friends
on the other side of the Chamber,
who, by constant "nagging, I'M
passioned criticisms, and fiery de-
nunciations, undertake to instruct
the Democrats how to make tariff
bill, and how to discharge their du-
ties and obligations TO the country
under the Democratic platform and
teachings of the party leaders.
We are informed in one breath
that the Democrats have framed
protective tariff bill in opposition to
the pledges and instructions of their
party, while in the next breath they
denounce the bill as a wicked and
monstrous free-trade measure which
will destroy the great industries of
the country. Others denounce ii as
sectional bill, favoring the inter-
ests of one section of the country at
the expense of other sections, and
all predicting disaster and ruin to
follow in the wake of the passage Of
the bill.
Now, Mr.. President. let us look