The herald., 1897-05-26
DEBATE E.ON
. THE TARIFF
Continued from Page One.

tdFlL Ulll WHICH is iHteHueu u piotect
all American interests. This conten-
ton has been resisted by the tanners of
the country, who believed that 1t would
place an unnecessary burden upon their
important industry. / shall not at
tempt to enter in detail into the reasons
which led the committee to suggest the
imposition of the duty. Speaking for
myself. 1 believe that the fears which
have been so emphatically expressed
as to the injurious effects of the duty
have been largely over-estimated, and
that no very serious burden would be
placed upon either the tanning, the
leather or the boot and shoe industry IL
the amendment should be adopted.
Many changes are suggested in the
free list. Among the more notable of
these is a recommendation to return to
the liberal provisions of existing law
with regard to the free Importation of
books, works Of art etc., under certain
conditions.
At the time the bill was reported from
the committee it stated in their behalf
that an amendment looking to the more
rapid development and extension of re-
ciprocal trade with foreign countries
would be reported in the committee at
later day. The committee has not
yet found the opportunity to prepare
such an amendment. 1t seemed to them
that the provisions of the house bill in
this respect would not prove effective.
1t Is the purpose Of the committee to
prepare a provision which will enable
the government Of the United States,
within certain fixed limits and without
further legislative acton to enter upon
arrangements or to negotiate reciproc-
ity treaties looking to an extension OF
our foreign trade. ''
In suggesting the striking out of the
house provision the committee had no
purpose Of abandoning the American re-
ciprocity policy. They hope to be able
| to suggest such provisions as will ne
able our government to greatly extend
that policy and make its adoption per-
manent
The committee also hopes, before the
bill passes from the consideration of the
senate to be able to present certain need
ed amendments to the customs admin
istration law.
| In conclusion, Mr.. Aldrich said: "The
Industrial system of the United States
is growing more and more complex ev-
cry year. 1t is becoming more and
more difficult every year to satisfy in
revision conflicting claims of sections,
or to adjust rates as to do no injustice
great country. The revision of para
graphs and rates recommended by the
committee are undoubtedly far from
satisfactory in many cases to interested
parties. The amendments recorded
| L. - TIT
majority Of the members of the conf
mittee. We have no pride of opinion CIR
authorship in regard to any Of the pro-
visions reported. We have given care
full consideration to the numerous I'M
portant questions involved in the vari.
Gus schedules. We present to the sen
ate the result Of our labors and shall
cheerfully accept your judgment as to
the wisdom of our conclusions.
| Aldrich closed at $40 p. M, having
spoken little over an hour.
Pettigrew presented the amendment
of which he has heretofore given notice,
that when articles are manufactured by
a trust articles of such character i'm.
ported from abroad shall be free Of duty.
He said he would ask its consideration
Immediately after the committee
amendments.
| Vest, Democratic member of the fin
ance committee, was then recognized.
I'VE know" he said, "the desperate
condition Of the country the ruined
homes, the blasted hearts If prosper
ity can come from any source, even
from our adversaries. we will bless the
movement. 1 do not believe the impo-
sition of higher tariff in the United
States will dispel the clouds hanging
above us, bringing back the sunshine
and Illuminating the whole country"
1t had been said, Vest proceeded, that
adversely came with the advent of the
Democratic party and prosperity with
the epublican party. But adversely did
not come with the advent of the Demo-
cratic party. Vest said he would sum-
mon as witness no less an authority
than Mr.. William Mckinley. The sem
ator read from a report made by Mr.. Nc
Kinley April 10, $780, setting forth the
distress which the farmers of the coun-
try were suffering How was it ex-
pected, the senator asked, that by in
creasing the burden of tariff taxes the
farmers would be helped to buy more
goods? All agreed that there must be
ments of the government. that govern
ment credit shall be sustained and her
flag honored. But every dollar col
lected by the government beyond its
needs is crime.
Why was 1t, Vest asked, that the Re-
publican party was about to abandon
its record and urge tariff not for pro-
lection, but for the amount of revenue it
will produce? Why does it abandon It's
record and propose a tax on tea? The
senator said there was at this time an
available balance in the treasury of
1929, $780, $50. Deducting the gold re-
serve of 100000, 900, the available BAL
ance was $129, ,350,6 This vast amount
of idle money was now accumulated in
the treasury and yet the senate was
told that it must impose on our suffer-
ing people additional taxes When
President Harrison turned over the
government to President Cleveland. the
treasure balance stood at $24,12S,0S7.
Mr.. Vest, proceeding, declared that the
proposition to raise $31. 100000 of reve-
nue. by tax on tea and increase of in
ternal revenue was naked and bold
abandonment of the protective policy of
the Republican party.
Mr.. Chandler interrupted with an in
quiry as to where the accumulation in
the treasury to which Mr. Vest alluded