The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-06-29
MClaurIn Says He is Not a POteCdOnSt.
AN EXPLANATION OF HIS TARIFFS
VIEWS.

vim u.
protection is Wrong in Principle
and Wrong in Practice, but the
South Should Not Refuse it's Share
In the Protection Grabbing.
The following extract from Senator
NcLaurin's recent speech, in which
ne denies that he is a protectionist,
VIII prove interesting to many Of our
readers
Mr.. President, although not strictly
In order under this amendment, as the
deoate has assumed u wide range on
the subject OF cotton, | desire TO call
tne attention of the Senator in charge
OF This bill to paragraph 342 and inquire
ana express the hope that ne will be
aole to explain why a duty is imposed
on Jute bagging for covering cotton,
WINE In another paragraph binding
twine is placed on the free list
III SUCH discrimination can be defend
ed, l am certain that it would be
lstened to with very great attention.
Ii SUCH a policy can be justified by any
rule OF national Legislation, its advO-
Gates should hasten to make the dis
closure
10 my mind it assumes the form OF
studled and pernicious s~ectionalism,
ol u deliberate n premeditated at
tempt to punish the cotton planter of
the south and favor the grain grower
OF the North n West. In my opinion
1T admits OF no other construction.
In fact, u careful eXaminatiun dis
closes the earmarks of sectional advau.
tage running all through the provi-
slons OF the bill, which should Da g.
source of profound regret to ever yone
Interested in the general welfare OF our
common country.
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
continued injuries to the South in the
near future must react on the balance
OF the country. When | consider the
evident unfairness Of this measure, |
must confess to u feeling of alarm that
the spirit Of oppression yet prevails
and hat 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 &C on record
as protesting against it's s~ectionalism
and demanding justice and equality
Tor the industries of the South.
Going further into the details of the
bill, find free binding Irvine for the
Northern farmer n taxed cotton ties
and jute bagging for the Southern
planter protected wheat and corr for
the North and, until recently, free
cotton for the South. The Senate COM
mittee attempted to protect the North
ern 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 Eng
land and taxed ooots n shoes for the
balance OF the country.
| find Northern linseed oil protected
20 cents per gallon and Southern cot
ton-seed Oil but 4 cents per gallon.
Maple sugar, for Vermont and the
North, is protected ! cents per pound,
while the tar OF Georgia and the Caro-.
linas Is put on the free list. The tur-
pentine of the South is put on the free
list. while the maple syrup of the
North is protected by a duty Of 4 cents
per Found. Northern hay is protected
$3 per ton, while Southern oil cake is
placed on the free list. Cotton waste
Is found on the free list, while New
England shoddy is protected 20 cents
Fer pound.
l might continue this list of discrim-
nations to "a greater length. might
AXE up the list of manufactured pro-
ducts and show that certain grades
manufactured in the South are not
protected in proportion to other grades
In similar lines manufactured at the
North.
might analyze the iron, coal, and
other great industries, and show how
the Eastern m%onOpolists have arranged
their intricate schedules to plumber
the South. | might point TO the out
cone OF the recent contest over the
railroad ties, rice, and cotton schedules
as further evidence OF the sectional
animus OF this bill.
III all the tricks and schemes of the
New England manufacturers ant
Eastern importers could be fully eX-
posed, the people would be amazed at
their extent and the cunning mani
pulations which fixed them in this bill.
But | have already pointed out enough
TO sustain my contention that this bill
ls framed upon sectional ines and is
unjust and injurious to the South.
Even in its provisions of reciprocity
with Hawaii the South bears the bur
den, while the North, as usual, reaps
the benefit. | venture the assertion
that 80 per cent Of the free imports
from those islands come in direct com
petition with Southern industries,
While 80 per cent OF the exports to
those islands are Northern products.
While disclaim most positively any
eo0o"po w SGir up SccIlODal Strlfo or
sectional animosities, | feel q sense of
deep concern over the sectional
features OF this measure. Without
intending to criticise anyone or in
any manner assume superior know
ledge, | give 1T as a matter of personal
opinion II those who are opposing ibis
bill had taken time to thoroughly
analyZe it's sectional provisions and
had fought it out Oh that issue as per-
~sistently and intelligently as they nov
are doing On other lines, the bill
might have been defeated or a full
measure of justice and fair play
secured.
| believe there are those on the
other side OF this Chamber Tho would
recognize these unfair conditions and
vote with us to correct the wrong.
MIR. President, in a speech upon this
Dill while under consideration at the
other end Of the Capitol, | took oc.
casion to disclose the result OF sec
tionalism in previous tariff legislation,
and the disclosures made at that time
have so far remained uncontradicted.
| gave the facts and statistics concern
Ing the different sections of the coun-
try With reference to the decreaae In
wealth, the accumulation Of wealth,
and the distribution OF caDital and