Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-07-26

danger Of running counter to democratic prin-
ciples- desire only TO suggest that If it Vas
desirable that sugar should be taxed, las
legitimate and logical article Of revenue taxa
alton, as he now says. it seems strange that
the president did not in his last annual mes
sage make some intimation+ suggestion or
recommendation to that effect
He Endorsed the Wilson bill explicitly in Ais
message, although it provided substantially
for free raw sugar. He permitted the house To
pass that measure without a word CT protest,
suggestion or advice that there should be
tax upon sugar, which has come to be largely
regarded as one of the necessaries of life Sec
rotary Carlisle, the trusted financial os1csr OF
his cabinet, speaking on the question ably ex-
cathedra outlined with great care the es-
| sentiai provisions of the proposed tar
In reform bill, but made no recon-
mendation whatever for a tax upon
sugar. While free sugar was being carried
through the house, the administration re-
NAMED quiet and passive, but now after the
house has acted and the country has besn led
to expect free sugar the administration shows
its hand and declares for duty upon it. am
not antagonizing it's suggestion; am simply
stating the facts OF recent history. Under the
existing circumStances-with an income tax
retained in this bill voted for the sugar be-
fore, and shall do so again In my Judgment,
the house cannot now honorably retreat from
its position in favor OF free sugar. The presi-
dent on this suggestion came too late The
senate must recede from its amendments
attention to the fact that the president,
who had been so often quoted in the
tariff debate as favoring an income
tax, had at last come out in no uucer-
tain tones against it. He trusted the
presidents words would have their eff
feet. He (HilD wanted TO perfect this
bill He knew it was claimed his
wishes should not be consulted because
he did not intend to vote for this bill.
He never should vote for it SO long as
it contained the income tax, but he
wanted to see it made defensible.
Mr.. Hill in a most dramatic manner
concluded by declaring that unless the
democrats of the senate yielded they
would go to the wall, and the presi-
dent would go to the front
Mr.. Vest Replies.
Mr.. Vest took the floor when Mr..
Hill was seated. After the speech of
the senator from New York, he began,
it was subject of congratulation that
he and the president had at last found
a platform on which both could stand.
The lion and lamb had at last lain
down together and were led as little
child by the ways and means commit
tee. He left to the other side which
was UIlC lIOn anu WHICH was Gu0
The senator from New York had said
that free raw material was cardinal
principle ofdemocracy. The president
went further and declared that failure
to place free raw material on the free
list was democratic perfdy and dts
honor. Why did not the senator
from New York vote for free wool, he
asked.
4 moi rOT
when the bill was in committee" re-
piled Mr.. Hill, but distinctly voted
for free wool in the senate"
IF my very soul was thrilling and
pulsating for free raw Materials re-
torted Mr.. Vest, sarcastically, ''at the
peril of my life 1 should have been on
hand to vote on every roll call for the
cardinal principle of the democracy
Mr.. Vest then proceeded to read the
letter of acceptance of President Cleve-
land in 1892, pronouneing in favor of
freer raw material. Yet now he de-
nounced freer raw materials as perfidy
and dishonor.
Mr.. Vest declared he had been the
presidents second, he had defended
him on the floor of the senate when
his friends could have been counted on
the fingers of one hand. Where did
the president get the right to dictate
to congress? To denounce one branch
Of congress to the other? Did he en-
body in his single being all the democ-
racy, all the tariff reform sentiment in
this country? Mr.. Cleveland was big
man, but the democratic party was
greater than any one.
1t had survived jefferson, Madison,
Jackson; it would survive Grover
Cleveland.
Under what clause of the constitu-
ton did Mr.. Cleveland get the right
after a bill had been sent to full and
Free conference between the two
houses to make an appeal to his party
friends to stand by his individual
views?
Mrs. Madison had said in her memoirs
that the capitol had been placed at one
of the avenue and the White house at
the other to prevent the president from
exercising an undue influence on the
legislative branch of the government.
If the president could send word to his
friends to stand firm, he had the right
to send his cabinet ministers here to
coerce members of congress; he had a
right to do as he had during the fight
over the repeal of the Sherman law,
mem DerS Oh MS own
party.
1t was mockery to talk of a full
and free conference when one of the
conferees came to the committe room
with the orders of the president in his
pocket. Mr. Vest spoke with bitter
ness of the presidents denuncia ton of
the senate bill, which had been passed
after four months of such toll and re-
sponsibility as he should never assume
again. Yet, he said, those who were
instrumental in harmonizing the differ
ences and bringing about its passage
tariff reformers before Mr.. Cleveland
began his phenomenal career-had
been arraigned as traitors who sought
to dishonor their party.
Personally, the bill did not suit him.
He was radical tariff reformer, but if
he could not get all he would take
what he could get.
Il give it as my opinion he de-
clared in conclusion, that we pass
this bill or nothing"
To question from Mr.. Aldrich Mr..
Vest replied: when 1 first saw the
presidents letter placing on US the
odiuTn of framing a bill that means