Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-06-23
STRAIGHT TALK THIS.
McLaurin Tells them Plainly the Naked
Truth.

McLaurIn Tells them Plainly the Naked
Truth.
If there have been any doubts here
tofore as to the exact position of Sen
ator McLaurin CT the tariff question,
there is no reason why such doubts
should exist any longer. His speech
of last Thursday was clear and TO the
point, and has not only gratifed his
numerous friends; but has actually
converted a number of Democratic
senators who have heretofore held
different views. One of the most mo-
table of these is Senator Morgan, OF
Alabama. These are some extracts
which will give a pretty good idea of
what Mr.. McLaurin had to say:
The south seeks no advantage and only
asks for equal rights under all national
legislation.
Sound public policy, if nothing else,
should secure to us these rights, since con-
tinued injuries to the south in the near
future must react on the balance of the
country. When I consider the evident
unfairness of this measure, l must confess
to feeling Of alarm that the spirit of OPP
preston yet prevails and that the south
must continue to conserve the greed and
avarice of the north.
This measure will doubtless pass and
become a law. There is little hope of
changing few, if any, Of its oppressive
features. Yet desire to 60 on record as
protesting against its sectionalism and de-
manding justice and equality for the indus
tries of the south. ~
Going further into the details of the bill,
/ find free binding twine for thenorthern
farmer and taxed cotton ties and Jute
bagging for the southern planter; pro-
tected wheat and corn for the north, and,
until recently, free cotton for the south.
The senate committee attempted to pro-
tect the northern railroad tie industry
and leave the southern tie industry to
fight for itself. AS the bill came from the
house, there were free hides for New
England and taxed boots and shoes for
the balance of the country.
find northern linseed oil protected 70
cents per gallon and southern cotton seed
oil but cents per gallon. Maple sugar,
for Vermont and the north, is protected 4
cents per pound, while the tar of Georgia
and the Carolinas is put on the free list.
free list, while the maple syrup OF the
north is protected by a duty of cents
per pound. Northern hay is protected
50 per ton, while southern oil cake is
placed on the free list. Cotton waste is
found on the free list, while New Eng
land shoddy is protected 20 cents per
pound.
1 might continue this list Of discrimina-
tions to a greater length. l might take
up the list Of manufactured products and
show that certain grades manufactured in
the south are not protected in proportio n
to other grades in similar lines manutact-
ured at the north.
I might analyze the iron, coal and the
other great Industries and show how the
eastern monopolists have arranged their
intricate schedules to plunder the south.
I might point to the outcome of the re-
cent contest over the railroad ties, rice,
and cotton schedules as further evidence
of the sectional animus of this hill.
If all the tricks and schemes Of the
New England manufacturers and ea stern
importers could be fully exposed, the
people would be amazed at their extent
and the cunning manipulations which
fixed them in this bill. But / have al
ready pointed out enough to sustain my
contention that this bill is framed upon
sectional lines and is un just and injurious
to the south. Even in its provisions OF
reciprocity with Hawaii the south bears
the burden, while the north, as usual,
reaps the benefit. l venture the assertion
that 30 per cent. of the free imports from
those islands come in direct competition
with southern industries, while so per
cent. of the exports to those islands are
northern products.
While 1 disclaim most positively any
attempt to stir up sectional strife or sec
tional animosities, l feel sense Of deep
concern over the sectional features of this
measure. Without intending to criticise
anyone, or in any manner assume superl-
or knowledge, give it as matter OF per-
sonal opinion, if those who are opposing
this bill had taken time to thoroughly
analyZe its sectional provisions and had
fought it out on that issue as persistently
and intel'igently as they now, are doing
OH other lines, the bill might have been
defeated or full measure Of justice and
fair play secured.
| believe there are those Oh the other
side of this chamber who would recognize
these unfair conditions and vote with us
to correct the wrong.
Mr.. President, in speech upon this
bill while under consideration at the other
end of the Capitol, took occasion to dis
close the result of scctionalism in previ-
Gus tariff Legislation, and the disclosures