The Washington times., 1894-04-09
Mr.. BRICE is VERY PLAIN
He Tells Us How He Protested Against
the Tariff Bill.
PROSPEROUS TINES NOT IN IT
Gives His Reasons for Opposing the Various
schedulss--Hill Murphy, and Smith May
Beat 1.-THE Bill Unpopular and Illogical
According to the Ohio Senator.
lFrom the CINCINNATI Enquirer

trrOu tue tlnclunbti ShquAieA.l
WARRINGTON. April Al may want to
make a speech on the tariff yet" said Senator
Brice.
"A little interview wont hurt it," said 1.
Every well. Now, this state Of business is
neither local nor national. 1t Is universal.
The world is resolved upon shrinkage OF
prices and no fiscal legislation. no act OF u
mere government can alter the public opinion
of civilization. Wheat at 81 bushel, cotton
at 10 cents q pound, are things OF the past.
The present and prospective measure OF wheat
is SO cents and cotton s cents, corresponding
to the new scale Of prices for all other pro-
ductions.'
"Their wages mus. also fall?'
Certainly. Labor is but an element in the
horizontal scale Of decline. Well, the regular
session of Congress pressed on to revise the
tariff. 1t was not done in a way to give salts
faction to fhe sensitive body of the people.
There was very little logic in the preparation
of the bill by the House.
II shall vote for free raw and refined
sugar. am not settled how l shall vote on
the income tax"
Senator Brice proceeded: "When the
House bill came up to the Senate three Sen
ators set themselves aside in secrecy to formu-
late such measure as would suit their ad-
joining localities-Mr. Mills OF Texas; Mr.
Jones, of Arkansas. and Mr.. Vest, of Mis-
souri, They consulted nobody. or anybody, as
they pleased. They went off by themselves
and arranged to put on the free list sugar,
coal, iron, etc. The active and versatile and
vigorous states like Ohio. New York, Penn
syvania, New Jersey, Michigan and the New
England states were not allowed to say one
7 or,1 noIl Ilnd
his attention to the narrow and local way this
subcommittee was farming out national
tariff, while great states like Pennsylvania.
New York, Ohio, New Jersey and Massa-
chusetts were entering their protest by un-
precedented majorities, exceeding those ofthe
war, against the closing OF the doors OF the
Finance Committee to their employers and
hands"
What did the President say?"
"He was annoyed at the way things were
being done, while he did not want to interfere.
He saw the mistakes that were being made
and the loss of support. The President has
not expressed his views about any bill. He
will sign any revision of the tariff they pass.
He is opposed TO the income tax"
$50 you then attacked the Finance Com
mittee in the Senator"
II did. l demanded that the revision OF
the tariff be upon lines OF consideration Of
the greater states of the Union. of which New
York and Ohio were most representative.
The two New York Senators. Mr.. Smith Of
New Jersey, Ir. German. and myself were
the most active We obtained the concession
that we should have the right to oIer amend
ments. The Senate will debate the Senate
till for two months. Then IL will 20 TO con-
ference. The conference committee will sit
continuously in some large room accessible TO
both houses. both OF which will be in session
probably day and night. should think two
weeks would be enough for this performance.
The fate OF the amendments to be offered TO
the bill is somewhat IN doubt
"Will the House be more potential than the
Senate in the conclusions to be reachedgn
II should say that the House would be
slightly the more influential
''Will wool be sacri1ced?''
IL should say that wool would have to go
on the free list. The New England influence
has been very adToit in paving the way for
free wool. coal. and ores as concession to
their loss of duties upon manufactured
goods"
Now. Mr.. Brice. suppose this tariff agi-
tatlon had never been broached by Mr. Cleve-
land, would it now be adopted as party
policy"
Perhaps not. But there is no way to go
back
"Will not the Republicans probably get
both houses soon and recommence high tariff
agitation?"
Probably. But with Cleveland to veto
their bills the pending tariff measure will
stand till March 4, 1897
SIS it going to bring about good times?"
mo. As an immediate or even speedy re-
suscitation of industry and prosperity it will
fail, fear
''Yet this bill might be defeated by few
determined northern men,"
1T might. Our best hold is to amend it.
If the amendments are beaten those who sup
port them will probably vote for the bill
Hill. Murphy. and Smith could beat it?''
''Mr. Hill mainly opposes the income tax
feature. Mcpherson expects to press some
am ndments. but has signifled his ultimate
acquiescence."
Il look for big silver vote to be east this
Fall. 1t will be large even in New York.
People look to the government to give them
good times. This is period of invalidlsm
which Congress and laws cannot medicine
There are fifteen thousand millions of in
debtedness upon farms and city lots and
other property half of that in corporation
Indebtedness, and only one metal instead of
two to pay in. Therefore. / say silver will
be the alternative OF the disappointed and
indebted. We shall find that fiscal legisla-