The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-31
POPILIST ALLEN RAVES.
The Kansas Senator Says "a Protective
Tariff Is Unconstitutional.


WASHINGTON. March Ex-senator AL
len. Populist of Nebraska. made long
speech i'm the Senate to-day on the uncon-
stitutionality OF the tariff taxes beyond
those requisite for revenue. Although it
was the first tariff speech the Senate has
heard this session it did not attract marked
attention. Mr.. Allen severely criticised the
trusts and combinations. which, he de-
clared, reaped the main advantage of tariff
taxes. The senator's remarks were i'm the
nature of a legal argument showing the
constitutional limitations on the taxing
power of Congress. In the course of his
speech he said I'VE have right to con-
slider the character and occupation of the
men making this claim for protective legis-
lation. They are not the laborers them
selyes-those whom ii is said protection is
to benefit-but they are the manufacturers
the bankers, the attorneys and the lobby
lists who appeal TO US in the name of the
wage Garner. There are very few of the
laborers and producers who believe wages
are raised substantially by a high tariff
and still fewer who desire that such tariff
shall be levied on the articles of necessary
consumption of % per cent. of the people
for their special benefit. 1t is true there
rant of the principles underlying this ques-
ton, who. in consequence of being repeat
edly told so, believe prosperity is dependent
in some measure on protective tariff. and
they induced by the crafty and greedy
for whom they labor to importune Congress
to protect the particular branch of indus
try in which they engaged. But these
men are few, indeed. and they are almost
always melted to such appeals by those
for whom they labor and in the interest of
those who reap in their name the benefit OF
bigh-protective legislation"
In conclusion the senator said: Il place
myself on the solid and impregnable ground
that under our Constitution Congress does
not possess power TO tax the people en-
hance the private fortunes of the few and
that the full measure of the taxing power
is reached when a tariff for revenue. with
incidental protection, Is imposed. Any 9TH
er construction would lead TO confscation
and incidentally to enforced Reputation,
the two worst conceivable forms of anarchy
and disorder N civilized state; and such
a deduction. when carried to its legitimate
length would lead TO the subversion of all
order and the rights of persons and proper
ty. We cannot serve the people and the
money power AT the same time. Their in
terests are deadly antagonistic. What is
for the common welfare is against the
trusts and pools" At the conclusion of
Mr. Aliens remarks the resolution was re-
ferred to the finance committee.
The House amendments to the Senate
joint resolution appropriating $3.50 600 for
the saving or life and property along the
Mississippi river were agreed to- and the
reso.ut on now goes to the President.
Mr. Mcbride presented an amended GER
tificate from the Governor of Oregon as TO
the appointment of Henry w. Corbett as
senator from that State The certificate
states that the appointment is until the
Legislature shall meet thus curing the
supposed defect in the first credentials
which did not fix the limit of service
Among the petitions was one from the
Board of Sheep Commissioners of Montana
urging the most ample protection on wool.
in accordance with the platform promises
and asserting that the policy OF protection
would not long prevail without this ade-
qUate protection to the wool-growing in
terestS
The Cuban question was brought forward
again by Mr.. Morgan, of Alabama who pre-
sented a resolution requesting the President
to inform the Senate whether letters had
been received by the present and former
chief executives from General Maxine Co.
mez. commander of the revolutionary forces
in Cuba. The resolution recites at length the
letters said 10 have been forwarded to
President Mckinley and his predecessor
from Gomez and published in the newspa-
pers to-day. The resolution concludes with
a request that The President shall also in
form the Senate whether the Spanish au-
tborities in Cuba have refused TO allow
cipher dispatches 10 be transmitted between
the United States consul at Sagua la
Grande and the United States consul gen
elal at Havana
At 2 p. N. the Senate went into execu-
tive session, and. at 4:25. adjourned.