Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-24
GORMAN AND THE TARIFF.
a Letter on the Subject from Senn-
tor Eppa HuntOn.

tor Eppa HunfOn.
The following appears in the Baltimore
Sun:
WARRENTON. VA. September l6, 1895
William S. Bryan, Jr.. ESQ.,
Dear Sir,-Your favor was duly re-
ceived.
In It you ask "a statement Of your
my personal knowledge Of the course
Of action Of Senator German while the
present tariff was on it's passage In the
the United States Senate" ! comply with
this request with great pleasure, frst De-
cause ! think the course OF Senator Cor
man has been misrepresented. and Sc
condy besauee you say his course Ia
regard TO the passage Of the tariff Is
subject, Of absorbing interest TO the
Democratic voters In the State OF Mary
land"
The tariff bill-known as the Wilson
bill-had passed the House and had been
reported by the Finance Committee OF
the Senate with many amendments Du-
ring the debate upon this bill and Its
amendments aforesaid. II became evil
dent that the House bill could not COM
mand votes enough 10 secure its passage.
1t required forty-three votes TO pass the
bin. The Democrats of the Senate were
III utsIdlf. i lelt IL dllloTN iiilHVSSlDic W
pass any bill which would give The
country the tarin reform promised by
our party.
In this condition Of affairs your Sena-
tor. Hon. a. 7. German. the chairman,
called a meeting of the Democratic eau
Gus. We all felt that Oh the
action of this caucus meeting hung the
fate OF tariff reform. Upon the meeting
Of the caucus Senator German left the
chair and offered a resolution p,edging
its members TO stand by the action and
wishes of the Democratic members OF tho
Finance Committee and TO follow their
lead. with the understanding that these
Democratic members should yield no
more of tariff reform than was neces-
sary 10 secure forty-three votes and In
sure the passage of the bill. This reso-
luton was adopted, with but few dis
senting votes. voted for II because
! felt II was our only hope TO get a tariff
bill through the Senate, and because
felt that / could trust the Democratic
members OF the Finance Committee
They were Senators Harris. Of Tennessee;
Voorhees, Of Indiana: Vest. Of Missouri
and Jones. Of Arkansas, each one OF whom
was a well-recogniZed and distinguished
tariff reformer.
The agreement set out IN Senator Cor
mans resolution was adhered to suffi-
ciently to pass the bill. which afterwards
became the present tariff-law. Without
this agreement I feel certain there would
have been no tariff legislation.
The conduct of Senator German was In
full accord with Democratic pledges Of
tariff reform. and without this wise and
conservative action | believe no Bill could
have passed the Senate. ] think land |
heard Senator German say he would
t.. .ss ,k.t
command forty-three votes Of tariff re-
formers in the Senate.
The bill that passed the Senate and
subsequently became a law was not all
that / wished In tariff reform. but |
knew that II was a long stride In that
direction. and was the best bill that would
command forty-three votes. The opera
ton of this law has demonstrated the
wisdom of Senator German and other
Democratic senators who supported 1t.
and has proved II TO be one Of the
best tariH-laws ever given TO the coun-
try.
IL has extofted the strongest commenda-
tons from Democrats who violently de-
nounced II while on its passage.
do not wish TO intrude into the politics
OF Maryland, but feel IL to be my duty
10 answer your letter. l fought By the
side OF many of her heroic sons during
the late war. and cannot and do not de-
sire TO repress the interest / feel In all
that concerns her Democratic voters.
/ feel anxious for the success Of the
Democratic ticket. II was nominated by
the Democrats OF Maryland. it is conceded
10 be a good ticket, and | think should
be supported by Democrats
Hoping for Democratic success In your
State. / remain yours. very truly.
EPPA HCNTON.