The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-05-26

Un tue NhIlW plil Dekan III NIlu SeA-AN "
day with crowded galleries and large
attendance OF senators and tarlf leaders
OF the house. Minor business claimed at
tention up to p. m. when Senator AID
rich, of Rhode Island. In charge OF the
tsrlR bin had The measure laid before the
senate and took the floor for the opening
speech. AZ that time every available
sea, In the galleries was occupied. The
Republican side OF the door showed an
almost solid representation. there being
three or four vacant seats. The Demo-
Gratis also presented fun ranks, and the
scattered seats OF the Popuhsts were Oc-
cupied with but an exception. Mr.. Ding
Icy, chairman OF the ways and means
committee and author OF the house bill,
took scat Immediately beside Mr.. AID
rich and listened attentively.
Other Republican members OF the COM
mittee and Representative Simpson, Of
the Popuilst contingent, occupied the
rear lounges Speaker Reed was not
present.
Mr. Aldrich spoke for almost an hour
and q quarter, adopting an easy, conver-
Eatlonal style. His speech Wus the otil-
cinl utterance OF the finance committee
and IN a sense OF the Republican side Of
the chamber Without making invidl-
Gus distinctions between the two bills,
Mr.. Aldrich clearly stated ~ the belief OF
the finance committee that the house bill
would not yield revenue adequate for the
needs OF the government.
Air. NeSt, Missouri. one OF the Demo-
cfats Of the finance cpmmittee. followed
with a statement In opposition 10 the bill
He gpoIse OF the futillty OF pIlinE up taxes
on an oYerburdened people when there
was a balance OF 3l29. 900, 900 in the treas
ury. he criticised the schedules In de-
tail, declaring that some Of them were de-
signed to be pnohFblttve. He severely at
tackled the increase in the lead duty, de-
clarIng It was for the benefits Of the
"oormorants" OF monopoly and against
the people.
Mr. Cannon, q silver Republican, closed
the debate for the day by urging that the
protection should be 50 distributed as to
aid the farmers.
Early in the day Mr.. Mallory, the new
senator from Florida, was sworu In and
took his seat.
M. Aldrieh'S Speech.
In opening his speech. Senator Aid
rich said:
''Mr. President, the business of the
entire country Is in n state OF suspen-
sion, awaiting the action OF the senate
upon the bill under consideration.
believe that the anxiety to secure action
upon this important measure Mt the
earliest possible day is shared by every
member OF the senate. can say Tor
senators sitting on this side OF the
chamber that no time will be spent in
the academic discussion OF the prlnci-
pies OF protection.
TT IS my purpose to keep the bill
continuously before the senate, 10 the
exclusion Of all other legislative busi-
ness, until It Is finally disposed Of, and
IN this l shall expect the hearty CO.
operation OF senators on both sides OF
the chamber. In the discussion Of the
bill, the members OF the majority OF
the committee will content themselves
with such brief explanations as may be
found necessary of the various para
graphs as they are reached.
TT seems desirable TINT at the be-
ginning OF this discussion the majority
OF the finance committee should present
20 the senate in detail thelr estimate Of
the effect which the bill will have upon
the revenue and that they should eX-
plain, IN . general way. the character
81 the amendments they have suggest
''Ths majority Of the committee be-
lleve that II thorough revision Of our
revenue laws. such as Is contemplated
by the house bill, IS necessary, It should
be carried out in n conservative spirit
and that such a moderate and reason
able measure should be adopted as VIII
insure a much greater degree Of perfna-
nence TO our tarlR legislation. Frequent
reVislOns OF the tarIn are productive OF
long periods of uncertainty and arrest
ed development. The radical change In
policy In 1895 proved disastrous to the
interests Of the country.
"It was, believe, thoroughly under
stood throughout the country In the
last political campaign that II the Re-
publican party should be again entrust-
ed with power no extreme tariff legiS..
latlon would follow. 1t was believed
that in the eAanged conditions OF thc
country return TO the duties imposed
by the net OF 1890 would not be neces-
sIry, even from protective standpoint.
No Violent Changes.
1T was with these facts constantly In
view that the majority OF the finance
committee prepared the amendments
which they have submitted for your
consideration. Nothing could be more
conducive 90 the return md mainte-
nance OF real prosperity In this country
than the Well-grounded belief that there
were 10 be no violent changes In our
revenue policy for some years 10 come,
The true friends OF n protective policy
do not insist upon extreme rates. or any
that ne not necessary to equnlize con-
dltlOns fWhIle II Is true that rates
above this line are often operative, yet
It must be admitted that they Furnish
needless opportunities for destructive
attacks.
The committee believe that In the
reductions they hnvc suggested from
the rates imposed In the house bill. they
have not gone In any in1fhnce below the
protective point, and " the bill should
become a law In the form presented by
them. every American Industry would
be enabled TO meet foreign competition
on equal terms: that H. 10 far ns this
equality can be secured by tnrIh legiE-
latlon The rates suggested by the
committees' amendments are consider
ably below those imposed by the house
bill, and IN most instances below those
contained In the act OF 1890
In suggesting these reductions the
members OF the majority of the commit
tee rcafirm and cmphnHlze their posi-
llon as friends OF the protective policy.
The ultimate purpose ot this policy ls
60 secure ns far az this ~ possible by
wise and conservative legislation, the
ste1dy growth and development Of all
intcreat-agrlculturnl manufacturing