Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-01-20
THE TARIFF.
synopsis of the Debate in the National
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,

ut Sulu uHu alWhyS Deen lnHCTlDeu on Lnt ueTlO-
cratic banner: Equal rights TO all and special
privileges TO none" The people had brought
the democratic party into power on tho broad
principle of equal justice to all He said:
"The democratic party raises Itself rs one
man, takes up this great cause, plants its
standard here 10 sink or swim, survive or per-
isl, that the democratic party may continue
ihpower. We will plant the banner here. We
Uean to have fight and we will call every
true believer in democracy to rally TO our side.
Let us call upon the American people,
the silent masses, the farmers scat
tered, unable to organize, who plod
their way under the burdens OF taxa
ton. Our petition boxes are filed
with protests of the trusts and combinations
OF this country. Let us be true to our faith.
Let us 40 forward until we make this n country
wnere every man shall see the gateway OF op-
portunity opening before HIM, where every man
shall see before him the opportunity to rise to
such influence, to such prosperity rs his own
merits justify, not weighted down with burdens
of taxation. Let us labor for try free to
all, equal to all, with opportunity planted in
every home, in every humble flreside in the
land"
AS Mr.. Wilson finished the democratic side
broke into cheers and wave OF applause
swept over the galleries
Mr.. Burrows rep, Mich) replied TO Mr.
Wilson, and his remarks were literally ap-
pauded by his republican colleagues He said
the measure under consideration had for Its
avowed object radical modification OF the
tariff act of lS9l 1t involved not only a change
of rates. but q complete reversal OF an economic
policy The act OF 1890 was enacted not only
with view Of securing revenue for the sup
port of the government, but for the further
purpose OF giving encouragement to the crea-
tion OF new enterprises and protection to
American industries and American workmen
against unequal and injurious foreign compe.
tiuon. In its practical workings 1t accom-
plished both these results.
The act went into effect October O. 1890, and
Us q measure for revenue IL met, so long as its
operation was undisturbed, the needed require.
ments OF the government Since July |, 1898
however, there had beena marked decline in the
revenues until they had actually fallen below the
requirements for the public service This de-
cline In the public revenues during the pres
ent fiscal year was not attributable to any de-
feet in the law of 1890 but ra ther to the general
arrangement and prostration OF business
throughout the country The ascendency OF n
political party pledged to the destruction OF
our protective policy had not only crippled and
suspended the operation OF our domestic manu-
factures but the importer OF foreign fabrics
naturally curtailed HIS importations in the
hope OF securing their admission into our mar
kets upon more favorable conditions. He
tidenuy asserted that II the election Of 1892
had resulted in the retention OF the republican
party in power accompanied as it would have
been with the assurance OF continuance Of the
American policy OF protection, the effect upon
the public revenue, well general pros
perity OF the country, would have been entirely
reversed.
President Harrison only affirmed the truth
OF history when In his last annual message to
congress he said so high degree of pros.
perity and so great diffusion of wealth were
never before enjoyed by our people" This ex-
ultaGt declaration made but little over one
year ago, as it seems in the midst OF present
appalling conditions, was, nevertheless,
grounded on indisputabe facts.
We are justified in asserting that the act of
1890, could its permanency have been assured,
would have accomplished the double purpose
for which il WAS enacted-revenue and protec-
ton.
the United States, shut up mine, stopped a
wheel blew out furnace fire or drove single
workman into the streets. This general par
alysis OF business throughout the country
comes solely from the ascendeucy OF political
party pledged 20 the repcal OF the act OF 1890
and the substitution therefor OF u tariff divest
ed of ali protective features. With such a
party in full control OF the government is 1t any
wonder that domestic manufacturers suspend
operations until advised OF the conditions
under which they must market their output!
Mr. Burrows then took up the tariff plank OF
the last democratic national platform and
compared IL with the South Carolina ordinance
of nullihcation. He asserted that whatever
may have been the purpose Of the majority tr
making this BILL in so far rs IL conforms TO the
democratic platform OF 1872. IL will, II enacted
into law. prove disastrous to the interests in
volved, and in so far rs IL seeks 10 redeem The
pledges, il Is either confession OF error or NJ
exhibition OF cowardice. He said 1
woad not escape notice that upon exam
nation of the list of articles transferred
from the dutiable 10 the free list the interests
OF the farmer seem To have been selected fo
special assault and destruction, Us nearly one
half OF the items embraced in this proposed
transfer are the products OF domestic husban
dry The bill is u free donation to foreigners
alta time. too, when the treasury OF the Unite,
States is in pressing need of increased re
sources. There is not in IL even suggestion
or reciprocity. 1t is q bold free trade gift-th
price paid for democratic theory.
After calling attention to individual items o
the pending bill, and declaring that the minor
ity in the house intended TO resist to the las
this wantou destruction of American indus
tries, he said II there was any provision in tn
bill which would stimulate a single domesti
industry or give employment to labor IL ha
not GeSn pointed out Under the propose
policy OF ad valorem for specific rates, couple
with the reduction proposed, revenue and DC
nestle indus tries will alike diminish and tn
latter in many instances disappear
After quoting from leading authorities as
the advantage OF specific duties, Mr.. Burrow
said starving families, clutching for the las
morsel OF food, cannot be lulled into forgetfu
ness of present misery by the announcement {
lower ad valorem duties on the necessaries
life. Tramping the streets out OF emplo,
ment, receiving aims, lower ad valorems wi
not heal the wounded pride OF the brave me
who never before dependent upon publ
charity The laborng people OF this countr
ask not lower ad valorems, but work. The
prefer high ad vuorems, constant employmer
and abundant wages TO low ad valorems, dl
ness and want
After showing the growth of the country
recent years MIR. Burrows concluded 70
lows:
The record OF this years Industrial and II
dvidunl suffering resulting from this propose
legislation will never be made up IL exceed
the possibility Of human calculation, ana IN
poro you to abandon this suicidal policy. Hay
you not pursued it far enough to be convince
OF its disastrous consequences? You have
within your power TO instantly relieN
this appalling situation, You have onl
To substitute for the pending measu
Joint resolution declaratory of your pu
pose TO maintain existing law in full for
and effect during the continuance of this u
minis ira tion and business activity will instan
ly iuke the place OF business depression
would arrest the slaughter OF our hocks, opt