Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-02-07
TOO HEAVY A TASK.
Reason There Will BE No Sen.
ate Tariff Hearings:
ALL-ErBRAo1He VIEW OF THE CASE

Taken by the Democrats OF the Commit
tee ~ Voiced by voorhees-Only Fair TO
Hear Both Sides and That Would In
ciudc the Whole Observation-Disclosures
Know Enough of the Subject Anyhow
National Capital Notes.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Following Is the
full text of Voorhees, statement on be-
half OF the Democratic members Of the
senate committee on finance as to why
they have decided to grant no hearings on
the Wilson tariff bill: Prompt and
speedy action on pending tariff legislation
i, required Mt this time by every patriotic
and business consideration. The major
ity of the finance committee, charged
with the responsibility of the pending
measure, intend that no delay shall occur
which it is possible to avoid. We are de-
termined that the business men of the
country of all classes shall a: very early
day have a full and clear insight into the
laws of tariff taxation which shall here
after prevail 4 claim, however is now
made that whoever may wish to do so
must he allowed before the finance COM
nittee and make speeches in regard to
zach and every particular interest affected
Icy the tariff
The Senator Prtss an Intcrrogatory.
This claim is without limit rs to num-
hers. and IL granted TO one person it must
lie granted TO all One senator alone asks
for 800 to be heard fro,n his state. II i.
also unlimited as TO time and becomes,
therefore, ia The hands of the oppo-
J nsais of the tariff rosorm. an instrument
oi delay indefinite in duration and far
more formidable and efficient than the
wors: form of flibrstering on the floor
| Of the senate. But if these hearings, as
they are called, are a matter of right and
cannot be denied by the committee, why
/ should they he merely ex parte in .heir
characters II we are to listen for the next
four or five nonths-as it is boosted IN Ger
tain quarters we will be compelled to Dc
why should the manufacturers, those WHO
| plead for protection, for grains and profits
! hy legislation. alone be heard:
Consumer should Have a show.
at seems TO US that the consumers Of
| taTiT-;axcd goods-the farmer. the to;ling
millions throughout the whole land-have
! the highest right Of al 10 be heard in their
! Necessary self-Cefeusa against injustice and
/ oppression. Ii the cause Of privilege. pro
| lection and financial greed j. 10 invade ot:-
| committee-roon to be heard during the
| coming spring and summer. then by every
| principle of justice and right the cause o.
the victim-the toiliDg consumer-must
also b. amply and fully heGri. the truth
Is chat legislation never accomplished
/ Icy such methods and never viii I've under
this form of government. The people are
heard through their representatives in
congress. and a moments reflection will
snow how ample an1 sufficient such hear
incs a.waYs have been and always viii:
! continue 10 he.
Committee Denies 40 Right.
Fer instance why should the business
OF the country he left in doubt for weeks
ami months. while the manufacturers OF
4 certain state are talking TO committee,
| when IN point of fact Il senator from the
! same s;aie-G manufacturer himself
could be discussing the same question far
more intelligently and ably On the floor
" the senate. Il is FL, idle pre.ense that
any right is denied To anybody by the
| co,-r-e.the committee has determined 80
take. We VIII report our bill to the sen
ate without delay ard then full hearin,
VIII take place. Alrcady more that ! co.,
600 circulars embracing interro-atories
touching every branch oi business known
70 the census Of 1880 have been addressed
| 10 al our industries, and abundant
| streams oi Information are pouring IN for
usc in the discussion in the senate
Has Had Eiucidatior Enough.
IN addition 10 this nearly all the pro-
tcctcd manufacturers were heard before
the committee on ways and means OF the
h1uSe, and the testimony there taken is in
print and IL the possession o. the senate
The whole sJ.bicc: is very familiar To the
| American mind and needs no further
siucio!ation than viii he incident to full.
free do!iate. The country needs action
action