Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-23

COuiu command a majority OF the votes in
this chamber. We might deplore such a
condition. and others might and did rail
against those in a measure responsible for
It, But the fact remained that we could
not pass the bill"
How 1t Had Been Constructed.
In answer to charges by the republi-
cans, Mr.. German asserted that the bill
had been constructed upon the democratic
theory of tariff for revenue, with such
Incidental protection as could be given con-
sistently to the industries of the country.
1t followed strictly the course marked out
by President Cleveland in his letter of ac-
ceptance. upon which he was reelected
and the democratic party intrusted with
full power. II there had been the slight
est apprehension in the public mind of a
radical overturning Of our industrial af-
fairs Mr.. Cleveland would not have been
reelected. This was not free-trade meas
ure, but II was a longer step for freer
trade than either the Mills bill or the tariff
act OF 1883. 1t was not protection for pro-
tection's sake, but II did discriminate be-
tween raw materials and manufactured
articles to the full extent of the difference
between European and American wages
Nor was Ii defcit-creating bill, such as
the present law was, or the House bill
would have been. 1t was democratic be-
cause Ii reduced taxation to the require
ments of the government 1t was just
II was wise; II was business-like; II was
patriotic, and II was prudent-because II
did not attempt to ignore facts in carry'
Ing out a theory. 1t was not perfect, but
II was the most logical most fair. most
broad, most timely and would prove to be
the most advantageous tariff legislation
enacted since the republican party sprang
into existence.
Without attempting to analyze the de-
tails of the bill. Mr.. German touched upon
one phase of it. the proper relation of vast
corporations or combinations of corpora
tons known as trusts to the government.
Had the democratic party acquired control
when Tilden was elected this great prob
lem never would have arisen. 1t was one
of the legacfes OF the republican party.
No Trusts Have Dictated.
Mr. German, speaking on this matter of
trusts. said:
THE assertion that any trust or trusts
have dictated any part of any schedule of
this bill 1 pronounce unqualifiedly false.
They have received the same attention, al
though not as much consideration, as in
dividuals engaged in the business of manu-
facture-no more and no less. We felt the
necessity Of dealing all combinations a
deathblow, but we found them so hedged
about with bounty and other devices of. re-
publican statesmen that it was possible
orly to curtail their privileges to the far
thest limit consistent with the rights of
others Intimately concerned, but not re-
sponsible.
This we have done. We have reduced the
duty on lead 80 per cent, on steel rails 81
Per cent and on refined sugar 70 per cent
more than on the product of any other
trust or on any other article
Much had been said in criticism of the
sugar duty. The democrats were bound to
Yet, he asked, would 1t be just to the peo-
pie Of Louisiana to deprive them of their
very means of liveliho cd and give nothing
in return? Louisiana stood on the same
plane with Pennsylvania, New York and
New Jersey. and was entitled to the same
consideration. But IL there were no such
state as louisiana in existence the wonder
full development of beet sugar production in
Nebraska and California fully warranted
the incidental protection afforded by this
revenue duty. The reflners derived no
benefit from the 40 per cent duty on raw
material. and the Is cent per pound duty
they did receive was reduction of I5 per
cent in the protection afforded by the pres
ent law. 1t had been urged that even this
should be eliminated. because the refiners
had ct mbined to make enormous profits.
That the trust had pTofited unduly under
the present republican law there could be
no doubt. Whether II could continue to do
so under the greatly reduced rates Of this
bill was a question. In any event. those
attention were convinced that this was
far as they could go at this time without
endangering the industry itself in direct
defiance of the general policy enunciated
by Mr.. Cleveland. So believing. he (Gor-
mani would not be turr ed from his duty
by criticism based partly on malice and
cnleny on ignorance.
The Income Tax.
Upon the subject Of the income tax Mr..
Gormsn said:
in the matter of internal revenue 1 may
say that, personally, 1 am in full accord
with the sentiments so ably and eloouently
expressed by the Senators from New York
and New Jersey, regarding the income tax.
Like them. 1 consider that it served its pur-
pose as a war tax and has no fitting place
in our fiscal system In time of peace. I
could not, say frankly. vote conscientious
ly or consistently with my judgment and
convictions to make this method of taxation
a part of our settled policy. But, much as
deplore the fastening of an income tax in
any form upon our tariff bill. / cannot ig-
Eore the fact that a large majority of my
democratic colleagues honestly differ from
myself In this matter, and are so confident
of the soundness of their position that they
are willing to subject II to the test of few
years. thus enabling the people to see its
actual workings and then pass upon it di-
rectly.'
In view of the necessity of obtaining ad-
dtional revenue, so that customs taxation
might be reduced without increasing our
debt or disavowing the frightful financial
obligations heaped up by republican legisla-
ton, ne could not, as democrat, bound In
honor to let no ordinary prejudice or differ
ence prevent the passage Of a tariff meas
ure, refuse to vote for the income tax
amendment. simply or solely. however. as
an emergency tax. 1t was plain that the
republicans did not like the BILL some be-
cause they said 1t would ruin our in1us-
tries; others because it would protect them
others because the people changed their
minds. He never had seen so many exam
pies of Inconsistency: some of demagogy
and a few of hypocrisy crowded into one
debate. The plain reason for the republican
opposition was that the republicans knew
only too well that the passake of the bill
reither would confirm their doleful predic-
tions of disaster to the country nor ruin the
democratic party. Said Mr.. German:
The Blame for Further Delay.
"The blame for any further delay in the
settlement of this question must rest upon
the other side of this chamber. We are
ready for final vote today-now-at once.
Every hour occupied by useless debate from
this moment must be charged up to the re-
publican party. If the representatives of
that party are sincere in their expressions
OF belief that return of prosperity can
only be achieved by the definite action Of
Congress. the remedy is in their own hands.
If they are honest in their expressions OF
confidence that the passage of this bill will
drive the democratic party out of power,
their opportunity is, here and now. We are
more than willing TO let the country Judge
between the revenue measure which we
shall pass and the existing protection law"
He supposed 1t was useless to appeal to
the republicans to sink their partisanship
but any belief on their part that they could
defeat the bill was hallucina lion.
In conclusion Mr. German saii