The times., 1897-03-28
Democratic Blows on the Bill De-
Iivered With Telling Effect.
WORKINGMEN NOT BENEFITED
Mr.. Lentz Shows That After the Nc
kinley Act Passed Immigration
Increased European
Labor Attracted by Reports of
High Wages.

tariff benefits American workingmen got
on the Dingley bill yesterday. 1t came
from Mr.. Lentz, the stout young man with
a big round face and pompadour hair, who
represents the Columbus, Ohio, district.
He showed that under the Mckinley law
there was a great increase of immigra ton
from Europe 'workingmen attracted by
promises OF high wages and turned into
the army of tramps.'' Mr.. Dingley took
refuge behind his Republican majority
lie interrupted with a motion TO close de-
bate, but finally allowed Mr.. LehtZ two
minutes TO conclude his remarks.
Other points made against the bill were
by Mr.. Dockery, that ii puts an exceed
ingly burdensome increase OF tax on the
people; by Mr.. Richardson, that it levieS
higher duties than the Mckinley bill; by
Mr McMillin, that it fosters trusts; by
Judge Maguire that il gives national aid
to help pay local taxes; and by several
members, that personal abuse of an OPP
ponent is not argument i'll defense of pro-
posed legislation In defense-for the
when not on the run.
In answer TO Mr.. Richardson's assertion
that the proposed duties are higher than
under the Mckinley law, Mr.. Dingley said
the appearance was produced by juggie
with figures, and to Mr.. Dockery Mr.
Hopkins replied that the tariff was not q
tax at ALL but was paid by the foreigner.
Mr.. Hopkins view was supported by Mr..
Grow, Mr.. Walker, and others. The reply
to Mr. Lentz by Mr.. Mahany was personal
criticism aud to Judge Mcguire, there
was practically no reply at all.
There was the usual full attendance, both
in the galleries and ON the floor. A num-
her of minor amendments We're made, and
the pleas by Republicans for protection for
several interests, Were rejected MIR. New
lands asked aid for a Nevada business, re
minding the Republicans that they had
destroyed the basic industry of his sec
tion, silver mining, but he got nothing.
Mr. Dingley moved an adjournment forty
minutes before the hour set by the rule.
In the two days OF reading the bill for
amendments only fifteen out of 1853 pages
have been coycred, and it will be i'm
possible to complete the work with salts
faction to anybody in the three days re-
manning.
There was a brief delay at the OPEN
ing Of the session yesterday. for lack
OF quorum, the point being made when
only fifty-one members were present.
At the close or the chemicals schedule
Mr.. Richardson read percentages to show
that the duties in the Dinsiey bill are
higher in twelve out of fourteen schedules
IN, AfpE ETrlA n
The remarks Of the gentleman from
Tenness ee," said Mr.. Dingley, in reply,
form another illustration of familiar
method of Juggling with figures" He then
went on to explain that the proposed duties
were lower than in the Mckinley bill, ex-
cept in sugar, silks, and tobacco. He said
the difference in his statement and Mr..
Richardson's depended upon the fact that
the duties in the Dingley bill and the Nc
Kinley bill were mainly specific, while
the duties in the Wilson bill were mainly
al valorem and the comparison was made
III ad vaIorem percentages.
But | make the comparison between the
specific duties in the Mckinley law and
the specific duties OF the present bill, leay-
ing the Wilson bill out of the question"
Mr.. Dngley then explained that prices
were much lower in $50 than in S90-93,
when the Mckinley duties were in effect.
OF course, with the same specific duty,
the percentage of taxation would be higher
when prices were lower. He insisted that
the comparisons Of percentages were neces-
Sarlly misleading. He also said the lower
prices now prevailing, in fact, were further
lowered by mderyaluations under the ad
valoTem system.
Mr. Dockery declared that it made no
difference what the percentages appeared
to show, the great fact stood out plain
TO everybody, and acknowledged in the
committees report, that the bill pro-
posed TO exact the stupendous increase
of $113, 100000 from the people. 1t
seemed to him to make little difference
whether the percentage was higher or
lover.
This BILL" he declared, lis an Illus
tration of the pernidous doctrine of pa
ternalisn, carried out always by the Re
publican party. Under this doctrine the
specially favored interests come to Con-
gress when a tariff bill is to be framed,
each seeking an advantage over the other,
and all at the expense of the whole
country.
In this bill. as in the Mckinley bill,
the item of hides has been put on the
free list. Why? Because the New Eng
land manufacturers have come here and
demanded it, III order that they might
have cheap material to make shoes. But
hides and wool hold exactly the same po-
sition with reference to a tariff bill |
hold to the good old Democratic doctrine
that both ought to be on the free list
in order that shoes may be cheap to our
people. and that our manufacturers may
be able to 30 into the markets of the
world nd SELL
Mr.. Hopkins The bill proposes toincrease
the revenue of the Government 113 mil
lions, not the taxation of the people, be-
cause we believe the bulk of that sum will
come from the foreigner, who pays the tax.
loud Democratic laugbterD And if the
gentlemen had taken as long to study the
question as they have to perfect that guf
faw they would know it to be true.
Replying TO question Mr.. Hopkins said
the reason why 10 duty was put on hides
was because they were a by-product. No
one raised cattle for the hides. but for the
meat products: aud the country could not
possibly produce enough hides or more than
small percentage, to meet the dena nds
OF trade. They had been on the free list
since 1873, and the consensus of opinion
was that there should not be change.
Mi. Walker, of Massachusetts. declared
that protective tariff was not only
protection to the manufacturer, but also
protectedthe American workingman against
the product of foreign labor. lie concluded
10y saying that the day would come when
an organization of the manufacturers
would make prices lower to the consumer
and give the workingman an increased
wage. he gave Mr.. Richardson till next