Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-06-23

made at that time have so far remained
uncontradicted. gave the facts and sta
tistics concerning the different sections OF
the country with reference to the decrease
in wealth. the accumulation of wealth,
and the distribution Of capital and wealth.
In each and every instance the result Ia
vored the manufacturing and money
loaning states. will quote the conclu-
sions given at that } time.
Mr.. President, the more 1 examined
the subject the more thoroughly I became
impressed with the belief that the people
of the south were being plundered, and
that, as a rule, we were giving more at.
tention to the propaganda OF a politlcal
theory than the material interests OF our
constituents. Acting upon this bellef, l
demanded of the committee OF ways ana
means an equalization of the dement's OF
this measure between the north ana tne
south.
I asserted that if the policy OF the
measure proved beneficial, the south was
selfish enough to want her proportion if,
on the contrary, the bill should be detri-
mental, the south was patriotic enough TO
stand it's share of disaster; that IN any
event and at all times we of the south
demanded that all national legislation
should distribute its burdens and dement's
equally among all the sections and all the
people. The novelty of such position
was so great and the spectacle so rare for
southern representative to make such
demands, that have been called a pro-
tectionist.
MIR. President, am not protectionist !;
have never given vote IN support OF
that principle or uttered a word IN de-
| fense OF that doctrine. l look upon the
doctrine of protection as indefensiDe and
potent factor in building up and main
tanning trusts and monopolies. Certain
newspapers in the north, instead OF an
swering my arguments against proIec-
ton, have been pleased to call me pro-
tectionist because I demanded equality
before the law. I stand squarely upon
the tariff plank of the Chicago platform
and base my actions entirely upon its
teachings. My votes upon the lumber,
cotton and rice schedules are in strict &C
cord with the doctrines of Democracy.
They were given in defense OF the PeoPle
whom I represent, and to compel the Re-
publican party to place the south on an
equal footing with the balance OF the
country.
So far have been guided by sincere
desire to serve the best interests OF my
own state and the south. And l want TO
say most emphatically that no matter
who may criticise, or what criticism may
be made, shall continue to labor for the
welfare of South Carolina to the very
limits of my ability.
| I believe that if the representatives OF
each state would labor more earnestly for
the material interests OF their people, the
laws on our statute books would be less
sectional and far more just and equitable.
Continuing, Mr.. McLaurin submit
ted long array of facts and figures,
and in conclusion proposed as the first
step TO prosperity, the opening OF the
mints to the free coinage of silver,
and the reduction of expenses to the
lowest point consistent with good gov
ernment. After that he would abol-
| ish the internal revenue system and
substitute instead graduated income
and inheritance taxes, and finally he
would inaugurate good old-fashioned
Democratic tariff for revenue, so ad-
justed as to place the burdens of gov.
ernment equally on all citizens in all
sections.