The record-union., 1897-05-26

enter in detail into the reasons which
led the committee to suggest the impo-
sition of the duty. Speaking for my
self, / believe that the fears have
been largely overestimated and that no
very serious burden will be placed upon
either the tanning, the leather or the
boot and shoe industry if the amend
ment should be amended.
RECIPROCITY.
''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 extern
sion of reciprocal trade with foreign
countries would be reported from the
committee at a later day. The COM
mittee has not yet found the opportu-
nifty 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
action, to enter upon arrangements or
to negotiate reciprocity treaties looking
to an extension of our foreign trade. In
suggesting the striking out of the House
| provision, the committee had no pur-
pose of abandoning the American reel
procity policy. They hope to be able to
suggest such provisions as will enable
our Government to greatly extend that
policy and make it's adoption perma-
nent
"The committee also hope, before the
| bill passes from the consideration of
the Senate, to be able to present certain
needed amendments to the customs ad-
ministration law
In conclusion, Mr. Aldrich said: "The
industrial system of the United States
| is growing more and more complex every
year. 1t is becoming more difficult
every year to satisfy in revision con-
| fiicting claims Of sections, or to so ad-
just rates as to do no injustice to any Oh
the varied interests of this great coun-
| try. The revision of paragraphs and
rates recommended by the committee
are undoubtedly far from satisfactory
in many cases to interested parties. The
amendments recorded represent the
| consensus of opinion of majority or
the members of the committee. We have
no pride of opinion or authorship IN re-
| gard to any of the provisions reported
| We have given careful consideration to
the numerous important questions in
volved in the various schedules we pre-
/ sent to the Senate the result of our Ia
bors, and shall cheerfully accept your
| judgment as to the wisdom of our con-
cluSiOnS."
| Mr.. Aldrich closed at $40 p. M, hav-
| ing spoken a little over an hour.
Pettigrew presented the amendment,
of which he had heretofore given no
tice, that when articles are manufac-
| tured by a trust, articles of such char
acter imported from abroad shall be
| free of duty. He said he would ask
| its consideration Immediately after the
committee amendments.
VEST REPLIES.
Vest, Democratic member of the FL
nance 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 sourse, 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
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 Republican party. But
adversely did not come with the ad
vent of the Democratic party. Vest
| said he would summon as a witness no
| less an authority than William McKin-
| 4
made by Mr. Mckinley, April 10, 1890,
setting forth the distress which the
| farmers of the country We're suffering
| How was it expected" the Senator
said, that by increasing the burden of
tariff taxes the farmers would be help
ed to buy more goods. All agreed that
there must be sufficient revenue to meet
the requirements of the Government
| that Government credit be sustained
and her flag honored. But every dollar
collected by the Government beyond it's
| needs is a crime.
| why is it, Vest asked, that the
Republican party was about to aban-
don its record and urge a tariff not for
protection, but for the amount of reve-
nue. 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 treas
ury of S229 800, $50. Deducting the
gold reserve of 800 000, 900, the avail
able balance was $129, ,350,6J0 This
vast amount of idle money was now
! accumulated in the treasury, and yet
the Senate was told that it must i'm
pose upon our suffering people addition
al taxes. When President Harrison
turned over the Government to Presi-
dent Cleveland the treasury balance
stood at S24, 12S,0S1
Vest, proceeding, declared that the
proposition to raise $31 100000 of reve-
nue. by a tax on tea and increase of in
ternal revenue was a naked and bold
abandonment of the protective policy
of the Republican party.
Chandler interrupted with an inquiry
as to where the accumulation in the
treasury to which Vest alluded had
come from Does the Senator mean