Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-06-17
THURSDAY, JUNE II, 1897.
1T LEAVES THEM NAKED, WITHOUT
ARGUMENT.

has SO long held on the tariff question, and
especially on articles that are classed as
raw material. In abandoning THEN stand
on raw material they 60 away from the po-
sition held by Bryan as leader, who con-
tended when tie Wilson bill was beng
considered that all raw material should be
put on the free list. We find that during
the consideration of the new tariff bill,
which is now before Congress, leading
Southern representatives in both houses
have put themselves on record as favorable
to a protective duty on raw materials.
Cotton, lumber and wool are materials in
which the South is largely interested, espe-
cially cotton. On the Sth inst, while the
Senate was considering the tariff bill, MIR.
Bacon, Democrat, of Georgia, offered an
amendment to the bill placing cotton on
the dutiable list at % per cent. ad valorem.
The amendment lead to heated debate,
disclosing very diverse views among the
Democratic Senators, andprovoking many
sharp personal criticisms. Mr. Vest, from
Missouri, spoke against the amendment.
He said "the amendment would be
adopted, as it was in the line of increased
rates of duty and would receive Republi-
can support for that reason, and because 1t
was calculated to cause dissension in the
Democratic party. He claimed that the
addition Of the 20 per cent. provided would
simply add that amount to the finished
product. He took issue with Mr.. Bacon
on the contention that the amendment
was in line with the platform adopted at
Chicago. elf" he said, 81 had thought
the platform meant what The Senator from
Georgia says i! does, I would not have
touched it any more than I would have
touched q rattlesnake, knowing there was
no whiskey within hundred miles. God
help us if the new evangel is to prevail"
He expressed surprise at Mr.. Bacons
statement that the cotton manufacturers
needed assistance. He said it has gener-
ally been understood that the cotton man.
ufacturers were exceptionally prosperous.
In conclusion, Mr. Vest said that he had,
as q Southern Democrat, always pointed
with pride to the fact that cotton was adj
mitted free of duty, as showing the Demo
cratic consistency in supporting free raw
materials. Hence his disappointment that
this amendment should be proposed by
Southern Senator, as it would justify and
( open the way for duty on wool, lumber
and all other articles classed as raw mate
rial. "Indeed," he exclaimed, sit leaves
us naked, without argument"
So it does leave them without argument.
We find Texas Democrats for duty on
wool; representatives from Georgia, Mis-.
sissipri. South Carolina, and in fact, nearly
all the Southern States, for protecting raw
cotton; Louisiana for protecting sugar, and
Mississippi for protection to lumber. ga
new evangel" is prevailing. 1t is a total
abandonment of the position which South
ern Democracy has heretofore held on the
tariff SO far as raw material is concerned.
1t leaves them without an argument against
protection as a principle; and it is we'll
that they have at last recognized the fact
that the South needs protection and will
have it.
The amendment of Mr.. Bacon was
adopted by solid Republican vote as
sisted by six Democrats, Bacon, Clay,
Money, McLaurin, Tilman and Rawlins,
of Utah.
Mr.. Bacon replying to the remarks Of
MIR. Vest, said, if positiveness of assertion
and vehemence were to control in this SUBJ
ject, then the Senator from Missouri Vest
would have his views prevail. But the.
Senate was forum of argument, and no
Senator was to be put down by the mere
vehenlence of the Senator from Missouri,
however long and eminent his services
might be. Mr.. Bacon became impatient
at one point over frequent interruptions,
the last one coming from Mr.. Gallery. 81
tn nix the Senator has enough to do to am
swer the questions addressed to him yes
terday by the Senator from Massachusetts
as to sugar." answered Mr.. Bacon, sharply. |
A pretty sharp thrust at MIR. Gallery,
who wishes to protect Louisiana's sugar
but nothing else,
A GREAT POLITICAL BATTLE.