The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-23

rather tame from both a spectacular and
an oratorical standpoint. The galleries
were wen filed all day. and the members
on the floor listened conscientJousiy. but
there was an absence both OF that sharp
crcss-firi1g which keeps the nerves on
edge and that brilliant eloquence which
inspires and holds the Imagination.
TIE opening OF the debate was delayed
over two hours by the full reading OF the
bill OF ls2 pages. and this. to begin with.
had a somewhat depressing influence. TIE
Republican leaders insisted on this 10
avoid the possible Temperance in the
future. should the consideration % the
bill not be completed under the ive-min-
ute rule. OF a claim that the bin had not
been read in full in the house. q thing
which happened in the cases OF both the
Mckinley and Wilson bills.
II was 12.So when the leader Of the ma
jority. Dingley. was recognized to open
the debate. Dingley's voice is not very
strong, and he usually has some difficulty
in making himself heard. but today he
spoke with great delioeration and his
tones were clear and ringing.
Dingiey began by stating the facts that
led 10 the issuance of the presidents mes
sage: That the governments revenue
during the past four years had been in
sufficient 10 meet expenditures TO the ex-
tent OF more than s2t1 0,9. GO; that this
deficiency viii continue 10 grow under ex-
listing conditions; that the deficiency has
been met by borrowing, that Is. by bond
sales, and that this has promoted dis
trust, intensified and prolonged the run
on the treasury and weakened business
confidence. This deficiency Of revenue.
said MIR. ningley. has nearly all arisen
from a falling OFF OF revenue from duties
on imports and not from a decline OF
revenue from internal taxes. In revising
. ka ~s@
ored 10 frame q practical remedy. at least
IN part, for the ills which have for so
many months overshadowed the country.
Dingley gave some statistics. and briefly
touched upon some OF the schedules.
Speaking Of the average rate OF the pro-
posed tariff he said:
Deduct sugar and the average duty
would be "a per cant; deduct sugar to-
bscco and spirits and the average duty
would be 49. s. per cent. and deduct sugar,
tobacco, spirits and WOOL and the average
duty would be only IL per cent"
Dingley discussed at some length the ad
valorem and specific systems and pre-
scented figures showing how disadvantage
ously the ad valorem system worked He
then presented the estimates as TO the
probable revenue that wculd be raised
by the bill. which were given In his re-
port. with the supplemental statement
that the second year the bin would yield
$i0o. .000. 900 Increased revenue. In closing
Mr.. Dingiey said:
1T must be obvious from any point OF
view that prompt action by the two
houses OF congress is Indispensable 10 Sc
cure the revenue which the pending bill
provides. without regard 10 party affilia-
tions. Business awaits our final decision.
With this great question of adequate rev.
enue 70 carry on the government settled
9ayorably BY such an adjus tment Of eil-
ties as VIII restore to our own people what
has been surrendered TO others during the
past four years. with restored ~conHdeuce
in the future, there IS reason to bedsve
that gradually and surely there will come
back TO US ths great prosperity which we
enjoyed in the decade prior TO IS2. and
whicf the gI eatest living English stats
ticlan so strikingiy euiogized when he
said in ls92 that 1t would be impossible TO
find in history any parallel TO the pro-
gress Of the United States In the last ten
years
The first applause came when Mr.. Ding
ley referred 10 the purpose OF the bill TO
encourage the stricken industries OF the
country" and was continued az intervals.
The members crowded up the aisles and
stood there when he finished, at the end
OF an hour. The Republicans applauded
for fully a minute. the galleries joining IN
the demonstration.
The old cavalry leader OF the Confeder-
ates opened for the opposition. Wheeler
began with a statement that the bin had
been secretly prepared by the eleven Re-
publican members on the committee Of
ways and means and framed almost In the
language OF the petitions presented by
protected interests. Since the star cham
Der measure came 10 light last Monday.
he said the conservative press OF the
country had denounced sc In uHmeasured
terms
The bil increased the duty OF many ar
ticies far above the Mckinley rates. and
in some Instances. exceeded The Mckinley
bill by from 20 20 10 per cent Nearly every
paragraph was changed from the ad va
loren rates under the Wilson bill to either
the specific or compound rates. The effect
Of which was 70 Increase enormously the
duty upon cheaper articles thar are pur-
chased by those who work and lessen the
tariff upon expensive articles that are par-
chased only by the rich.
The proclamation of the president al
nltted that our receipts last year were
only - 80 90 less than our expenditures.
and thas the reports of the treasury nov
showed that our receipts exceeded our
expenditures. and yet. IN the face of these
facts, the Republican majority sought 20
pss@ a biu which they said would increase
taxes SIS, 90 ooe. Wheeler spoke over an
hour.
He vas followed BY Hopkins ~ Illinois.
who announced that the mission of the
Republican party again placed IN power
Vas 70 restore prosperity and give en-
n9ovrnenr to labor The tariff bli pre-
narea Tor fhar purpose. he sai5 would
uses alike the wants of the government
and the nxopte He saiA that untN he lad
listened % Wheeier's remarks he did not
hal9esa thatarv Democrat sfiil clanE % the
cd. dried ard repudIsted doctrine % free
trade. box ne was now convinced gen
ufue BOURBON Democrat seldom f0rgst
any error Re had learned and never learn
81 anything new re paraReiesi the pros
ufr5fv the country ea3oyed under the No
K2r'ev Iaw with the distress pros3ue@S by
tha wilson law Tn&er the Mckinley saw
eleven stars. he said. we're added 70 the
flag
What party provided ire territory ont
re which those e.sVeu states Wsrs
carved - asked Mr. " heeser- tApp.ause-l
kfEs The "a re party whsch tired - taSs
e even stars from the nsE-" lApp-auss-)
Later while Hopkins Was coutendtng
that thsre vas noE al enforced tzse Essn
IN The country uaGeT ths Mckinley la~,
Nheefer asked him whether Coxsy's army
invaded Washington under the Mckinley
or wilson IA.
AFTER fhe advent % fhs Des4ccrats -
power. responded He9k1nz- ~Aft~r the
McNlz1ev &aw had been FsA-Asyze1 ~ the
trreat q free trade
@Eus = Rare ~as such wonderful pros
.e~fty ara a. sapoF was a. W0Tks hos
xssre the Republicans 40 w--1ercsfaEY &C.
feaseA - fs9r Guerle1 Aag94re o. SaAS-
foTHsa-
IN the Fziss> p~~tenses % ths Demo
cfafzs parry" rgetaTfs4 Ehs AlsnetS Essssza-
her. anss4 xhs applause % rs sszA
Bel, Psy-l-st. ot Colorado. Sook kAs