The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-21

maintained that the enactment of the Senate
bin would reduce tariff taxation S74, 100000
He had voted for the bill with the income
tax incorporated with great reluctance, and
with the distinct understanding that --e was
not willing TO vote for a bill by which
single industry should be stricken down or
the resumption of single industry pre-
vented. He had asked for far greater con-
ceSsons from his constituents than he had
from the finance committee.
WILL NOT CHANGE HIS POSITION.
80 far as / am concerned-and / think i
speak also for several of my colleagues
there has not been and will not he the
slightest change in my position" said Mr..
Smith. Il accepted the income tax in its
modified form from sense of duty 10 my
party, but 1 did so with the greatest re-
luctance, and with the distinct declaration
regarding other portions of the measure
that l would not vote for any bill or any
amendment that would make it impossible
for a single industry to continue or resume
operations / believe, sir. that the commit
tee on finance will bear me out in the asSer-
tion that l have done everything in my
power TO aid them in their work. 1t is true
that / have urged the necessity of care
and moderation in revising the schedules
which directly concern the industries of my
State, but believe they will concede dis
position on my part to be fair and reason
able, and l know that have demanded far
greater concessions from my constituents
than L have sought from the finance COM
mittee.
1T has been charged that we are not
sincere in our advocacy or the Senate Dill
that we have made ii for trading pur-
poses, and that those or us who opposed
the Wilson bill would rush into line at the
first crack of the whip | did not suppose
that any person familiar with the char
acter of this body would be misled by a
notion puerile. But it is evident from
the attitude of my colleagues In the House
what we said or they are willing TO invite
defeat of tariff legislation. If the former.
l have only to say that. they have mis-
taken their men. If the latter, they must
answer to the people for the defeat of a
bill which should, and, / believe, would
satisfy all reasonable expectations. / have
of my colleagues and myself with the can
dor and moderation BETTING member
passionately and in a spirit OF frlenGli3
ness rather than of hostility. l have tried
to be frank and have scrupulously avoided
covert threats by inference or inuendo.
| have not supposed cases of whose exist
ence l know nothing. l have not said that
if this be true, such and such must be
done. But in the circumstances, and IN
view of what has been said, | should GER
tainly fail in my duty if l failed to speak
''And so, sir. 1 say in conclusion, in all
friendliness towards those who have
aspersed our motives, that SO far as l am am
concessions. l have labored earnestly and
honestly to bring about satisfactory, set
temen of of this question Snv Bout So6e sir wnn
be unbecomng In me, Mr.. President, TO
to suggest to our conferees what they
should do. They are older and wiser and
know what is best. But IL Is certainly fit
ting that they should understand the
wishes of their colleagues. And so L say,
for myself 1 know, and for
many Others | believe that If
were a member of that commit
tee, / should say to the conferees from
the House, in answer TO the defiance
which has been flung in our faces: Gen
tlemen. there is our bill. 1t is the result
of great labor and infinite pains. 1t has
trade and protection elements of our par
ty 1t is adapted to conditions, not theo-
ries. 1t is not perfect, but 1t as nearly
perfect as we can hope to make 1t at this
session. In any event such as ii is there
1t lies. You are at liberty TO take 1t OF
leave it, That, sir, would be my position.
I would not recede from it so much as a
| hairs breadth"