Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-08-28
Mr.. REEDS SPEECH
Continued from 4th page. ]


Drought back TO the House amended BY
tV0 and more amendments, go entirely
changed in its character aud in its design
that its original .author absolutely declined
to recognize it. Then ensued a struggle
the like of which has never before been a
part of the history of this country, and the
like of which ough. never to be a part OF
the history of any country. The bill pas
sed through the Senate on July 2. Com
mittees of conference we're appointed BY
both houses about the 9TH day of July, and
Everything was ready for careful con-
sideration of the differences between the
two houses, a consideration which was not
only necessary to adjust the opinions of the
two houses, but also to correct the manifold
errors which always occur in the passing OF
a bill OF so vile scope through legisla-
tive body.
For the first time in the history of the
country that conference committee never
met for the transaction of its legitimate
business. The Republican members of the
committee of conference were excluded
from all discussion and consi ieration of the
question. Now the very object of con-
ference is that the ma jority may hear the
views Of the minority, upon the principle
that discnssion clears up even subjects
with which men suppose themselves to be
familiar, and which is the great safeguard
OF legislation, just as cross-ex4minaiion is
the great safeguard of justice in court of
law. What discussions took place among
The people representing the Democratic
party / have no means of knowing. The
REGRETS of the prison house have received
but very slight exposure. What the motives
were which Induced the Senate to modify
the bill more than 600 times we shall never
know. Then came the letter of the Presi-
dent, in which he declared that there were
two Democratic principles, fixed and i'm
movable. One was free coal, and
the other was free iron. | character
lied, from his point of view, the
bill az it actually passed. He pointed out
that it was utterly upjustihable to put the
farmers wool upon the free list and leave
the miners coal and the miners iron ore
upon the taxed list. and charged that the
passage of such bill as was sent by the
Senate to the House would be an act of
party perfidy and Of party dishonor.
Every body knows the result of the strug-
gle; everybody knows that this bill, which,
according to the Democratic view, con-
tanned party peridy and party dishonor was
passed by the House, and that they violated
every rule of parliamentary law in order to
enable them to pass it.
| Don't Intend 10 Give Up.
Now, what is that bill2 | am sorry to say
that, although was on the committee of
conference, | was deprived of any oppor-
tunity to examine the items and to discuss
.the reasons for them. That hill must be
tested, like every other BILL by the test of
time and of expert. nee. Those who know
best about it believe that the results to this
country will be disastrous, but, fortunately,
nos as disastrous as the original bill to which
Mr.. Wilson's name was once attached.
But there is one thing from which we
must free our minds, and that is the idea
that this BILL however bad it may be, is the
basis upon which the business of the coun-
try may adjust itself upon lower plane of
wages with safety, and proceed with what
ever is left to us of the industries of the
country. That idea we must dismiss abso-
lutely from our minds. | am quite we'll
aware that there are those who endeavor to
ignore this fact, and it is very natural that
they should do so for it is fact of the most
damaging character, most serious in all the
relations of life. And yet, l am sorry to
say, the fact remains that this bill is not a
finality. That you may understand that
do not say this upon my own authority, l
desire to quote TO you the opinions of the
Democratic leaders themselves upon that
subject, and that you may not be misled
desire to give you the precise words they
used, with page and date. On page 994l of
the Congressional Record, under date of
Aug. IA, 1894, you " i'll find that Mr.. Wilson
declares:
Nothing that il not done right ever lasts.
No work that is not thorough ever remains
undisturoed. You can settle no question.
like the great question of taxation, perma-
nently and safely, except upon the eternal
basis of right and liberty"
Lest you shoGld think that this is too gen.
eral, and that Mr.. Wilson was simply in-
dulging in some noble expressions which
would have little legitimate outcome, | ask
you to note this on page 1851 of the Record,
where, he says in response to my charge
made 10 the open House before him:
Now, | FAY to the gentleman from
Maine that, so far as | am concerned, and
| believe 50 far as the people with whom
am associated in this great work here are
concerned, we do not intend to give up the
fight. The right of the American people to
be relieved of class distinction is higher
than the right of any protected industry to
repose in its industry. In so far as ! am
individually concerned, and my humble
views, | can say to the gentleman that there
will be no let up in the fight as long as the
yoke of monopoly is on the neck of any
citizen in this co antry."
You may, perhaps, think that was Mr.
Wilson's private orinion, alone. yet, if you
will look in the Record you will find ZAP
ri fuse and cheers on the Democratic side"
And, as a personal witness, say to you
that the cheers were almost universal on
that side.
In the Senate the declaration was none
the less distinct AMI positive, and by a
leader recognized Us such throughout the
country. Mr. Mills of Texas on page lois
under date Of Aug. Is, lS94,) declared of
the bill which had already passed the House
and the Senate:
al make bold TO say here today that that
bill does not reflect the sentiment of 1000
people of the United States"
And on page 1919 he says