The record-union., 1897-03-25

f1OuSe WAS diHlOSI eio Oetii etf' e-AN --~
There were two notable speeches, one
by Grosvenor of Ohio, and the other
by Mcmillan of Tennessee, but the rest
of the speeches, with the possibility OF
the exception of Walker, hardly created
a ripple in the monOtonous sea OF
speech-making. Grosvenor and McMil-
lin were distinctively the orators of the
day The other speakers at the day
session We're Fox (D) of Mississippi
Simms Cd of Tennessee, Williams O)
of Mississippi, Terry (D) Of Arkansas,
Sayers O) of Texas, Johnson (R) of
North Dakota, Evas (R.) of Kentucky,
Maddox CD of Georgia and Adams (R)
of Pennsylvania.
Fox d., of Mississippi opened the de-
bate with a five minute speech on the
general theory of protection.
Williams Cd of Mississippi fol-
lowed, exposing the alleged inconsistent
cies of tie Republican argument. He
said it was absurd to charge the pres
ent depression to an invasion of the
home market by foreign goods when
the Treasury figures showed that last
year the importations were less by
Sl60,000, 900 than in the year of re-
stricted importations. He contended
that the existing era of depression and
low prices was due to appreciating the
value of money under the gold stand
ard.
After some brief remarks by Simms
CD of Tennessee and Terry O) of
Arkansas. Sayers O.) of Texas ad-
dressed himself to the proposition that
if the anticipations of the majority
We're realized and this bill increased
q
would breed reckless and prodigate OK
traVagance.
Johnson R.) of North Dakota
member OF the Ways and Means Com
mittee, was recognized for an hour. He
directed his attention chiefly to the
prospective benefits which would fol-
low the enactment of the agricultural
schedule of the bill. He was met by
questions from Democrats and Popu-
lists.
The old controversy Of whether the
foreigner or the consumer paid the tax
was fought over with great pertinacity,
Johnson, of course, taking the view
that the foreigner substantially paid it.
When the Wilson bill was under dis
cussion Johnson said that he predicted
its passage would be fatal to the sheep
industry.
In reply to a question Johnson de-
clared that if the people of the South
would pledge loyalty to the doctrine of
protection the Republican party would
be glad to accord cotton the same pro-
lection given wheat corn potatoes and
other agricultural products of the
North
McMillin CD of Tennessee was given
Of, r.
colleagues as he took the floor. He
declared the bill the most unconscion-
able effort at legislative robbery ever
attempted on the people, and gave a
long list of trusts which he said would
fatten on the bill.
Mcmillan prefaced his remarks with
some figures to prove that there was a
sufficient surplus (S11S. 600, 900 exclusive
of the gold reserve) in the Treasury to
meet all estimated deficiencies for two
years, and that the alleged necessity
for this bill was a mere pretext. He
prophesied a repetition of the disaster
which overlook the Congress that en-
acted the Mckinley law if this bill were
passed. and made the Republican
change Of front on the sugar bounties
the text fer some caustic remarks. De-
spite the appeals of the Louisiana
sugar-growers. he declared the bounty
was established in 1890
The cry of a free breakfast table has
gone forth" said he, and although
everything on the breakfast table ex-
cept coffee was taxed the promise
made thar sugar should be put on the
free list was kept. And only the tax
necessary to enable the sugar trust TO
exact its millions from the people-half
a cent a pound between raw and refined
sugar-was imposed.
But, sir you will search in vain for
free sugar in this bin or anything else
free which benefits the American peo-
pie. All the demagogic cry of free
breakfast table has had to be aban-
doned- The Democratic party can at
least boast that it has accomplished
something by preventing this pernicious
principle from being permanently in
grated on our American system of
taxation by the Government: but what
comes of all those fervent utterances
which rang through these halls only
seven years ago, proclaiming the beam
ties of free sugar? What has become
of the laudation of free sugar bv the
cohorts of protection and the advocates
of bounty? | remember how the melo-
dious voice Of the present Chief Magfs-
trate proclaimed the boon of llntaxed
sugar. / remember how the gentleman
from Maine, who now increases the tax
on sugar, proclaimed that the sugar tax
was burden paid by the consumer. |
remember how the vigorous and yebe
ment gentleman from New York
Payne) stood up and lauded the Re
publican party for taking the tax off
sugar.
IF the transfer to the free list of
sugar and molasses gave the greatest
relief. ther it must follow that the re-
imposition of high tax on sugar will be
the greatest hardship now. These gen
tlemen rust confess themselves as
standing for an increase of the burdens
of the people according TO their confess
sion. Not only have they reimposed
this burden of taxation, but in doing
so they have taken good care of the COR
porations and trusts which now control
the sugar market. The profit to the
trust is raised by this bill from one
eighth of a cent a pound by the present
law to from - TO 30 cents on the hun
dred pounds difference between raw
and refined.