The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-24
AT NJ KINLEY.
Congressman Benton McMillin,
of Tennessee,
Launches a Part of His Speech
on the Tariff.
HE CALLS TO MIND
How the Chief Magistrate
While in Congress
Proclaimed Untaxed Sugar as
Great Boon.

Washington, March 24-Mr. Fox
Oem. Miss.) opened the tariff debate in
the house today with a five minutes
speech on the general theory of protec-
ton.
Mr.. Williams Oem. Miss) devoted
his attention to exposing the alleged in
consistencies in the Republican argu-
ment. He said it was absurd to charge
the present depression to the invasion
of the home market by foreign goods,
when the treasury figures showed that
last year the impOrtatiOnS were less by
$3.50 OO0, 900 than in the last year of the
Mckinley law itself, a year of restrict
ed lmportationS. He cOntended that the
existing era of depression and low
prices was due to the appreciating val
ue OF money under the gold standard.
After some brief remarks by Mr. Sims
(Dem. Tenn) and Mr.. Terry (Dem.
Ark) Mr. Sayers (Dem. Tex.) address
ed himself to the proposition that if the
ant1cipations of the majority were real
lied and this bill increased the reve-
nues S113,00O,000 per annum, it would
breed the most reckless and profigate
extravaganza.
Mr.. johnson (Rep. N. d., a member
of the ways and means committee was
then recognized for an hour
He directed his attention chiefly to
a eulogy of the prospective benefits
which would follow the enactment of
the agricultural schedule of the bill. He
was met by a fusilade of questions
from the Democrats and Populists. The
old controversy as to whether the for
eigner or the consumer paid the tax
was fought over with great pertinacity,
Mr.. Johnson, of course taking the view
that the foreigner substantially paid it
and his adverSarieS that it was paid by
the consumer.
When the Wilson bill was under con-
sideration Mr.. Johnson said he predict
ed that its passage would be fatal to the
sheep industry.
In reply to a question Mr.. johnson
declared that if the people of the south
would pledge their loyalty to the doc
trine of protection, the Republican par
ty would be glad TO accord to cotton the
same protection given to wheat. corn
potatoes and other agricultural products
Mr.. McMfllin Oem. Tenn) who fol-
lowed Mr.. Johnson, was given a round
of applause by his Democratic col
leagues, as he took the floor
Mr.. McMillin prefaced his remarks
with some figures to prove that there
was a sufficient surplus Sis 900 900 ex-
elusive of the gold reserve in the treas
ury to meet all estimated deficiencies
for two years, and that the alleged ne
cessity for this bill was mere pretext
He prophesied repetition of the dis
aSter which overlook the congress that
enacted the Mckinley law if this bin
were passed and made the Republican
change of front on the question of su-
gar bounties the text for some caustic
remarks Despite the appeals of the
Louisiana sugar growers, he declared,
the bounty was esta blished in 1890. THE
cry of q, free breakfast table had gone
forth" said he, land although every
| thing on the breakfast table except cof-
fee was taxed, the promise made that
| sugar should be put on the free list was
kept. And only the tax necessary to
| enable the sugar trust to exact it's mil
| lions from the people-half a cent a
pound between raw and refined sugar
was imposed.
But, sir, you will search in vain for
| free sugar in this bill, or anything else
| free which benefits the American peo-
| pie All the demagogic cry of free
| breakfast table has had to be aban-
| doned. l remember how the melodi-
| Gus voice of the present chief magis-
| trate proclaimed the boon of untaxed
| sugar. 1 remember how the gentle
man from Maine, who now increases
| the tax on sugar, proclaimed that the
| sugar tax was a burden paid by the
| consumer. I remember how the Wig
| orous and vehement gentleman from
| New York (Mr. Payne) stood up and
| 1auded the Republican party for taking
| the tax off sugar.
IF the transfer to the free list of
| sugar and mOlaSSeS gave the greatest
| relief then, it must follow that the re-
| imposition of a high tax on sugar will
| be the greatest hardship now. These
| gentlemen must confess themselves as
| standing for an increase of the burdens
| of the people according to their confess
| sion. Not only have they reimposed
| this burden of taxation, but in doing
1 so Iney nave taken SOOQ care OF the
| corporations and trusts which now con-
| troll the sugar market. The profit to
| the trust is raised by this bill from one
| eighth of a cent pound by the present
| law to from So to so cents the hun
| dred pounds difference between raw
| and refined
| He discussed in detail the metal
| schedule arguing that were be
| coming heavy shippers of pig iron
| which he said could be produced in the
| southern states as cheaply as any place
| in the world, the duty of 81 per ton
| should have been reduced. He de-
| c1ared that the agricultural schedule
| was a humbug and enumerated a long
! list of trusts which he said would fat
| ten this bill
| The gentleman from Maine tells US
| that they have taken lumber, salt, wool,
| bagging cotton ties and books from the
| free list and put tax on them. Why
| does he not tell us the reason for re-
| tanning free salt for his Maine fisheries
| and imposing a duty on the salt used
| elsewhere?
| why does he not explain the reason
| for increasing the duties on lineoleum.
| some grades to be between 100 and 200
/ per cent when it is in a trust, and
| when one large concern in his own
| state has not lost a days work in many
| years? We make two-thirds of all the
| cotton that is produced in the world;
| twO-thirds of all we make is shipped
| abroad; the bagging that surrounds it
| and the ties that bind it are a total
| loss. being consumed in the United
| States The makers of bagging in this
country organized gigantic trust to
| rob the farmer. The ties can be made
| as cheaply here as anywhere in the
| world. Why did he not give US some
| reason for thus hampering agriculture