The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-25
PLAIN TALK.
Senator Aldrich Opens the De-
bate in the Senate
On the Tariff Bill Prepared by
His Committee.
WARNS REPUBLICANS
That They Must Pass a Measure
Which Will Produce
Sufficient Revenue or Suffer De-
feat at the Next Election.
TNHNTIVH nTNXTTTTTTN
INTERNAL REVENUE
He Says Must Be Depended
Upon Largely.
Home Markets for Home Pro
ductiOns He Asserts
Are Incompatible With a Reve-
nue. Producing Tariff.

Washington, May 25.-The long de-
ferred debate on the tariff bill opened
in the senate today. There was no pos
tive agreement as to the time for TAX
ing up the bill but it was generally
understood that Mr.. Aldrich of Rhode
Island would be recognized for the op-
ening statement Immediately after the
morning business. Mr.. PascO of FIor1-
da presented the credentials of the new
senator from Florida, Mr.. S r. Nal
lory and the latter was duly sworn in
The tariff bill was taken up at 2:5O
without opposition.
In opening his speech Senator A1dr1ch
said:
Mr.. Presfdent=The business of the
entire country is in a state of suspen-
sion awaiting the action of the senate
upon the bill under considerations pc
HeVe that the anxiety to secure actlOn
up on this important measure at the
earliest possible day is Shared by every
member of the senate. can say Tor
the senators sitting on this side OF the
chamber. that no time will be spent in
academic discussion OF the principles
of protection.
1T is my purpose to keep the bill con-
tinuously before the senate to the eX-
clusiOn of all other legislative business
until it is finally disposed of and in this
shall expect the cooperation of sena-
tors on both sides of the chamber In
the discussion of the bill, the members
of the majority of the committee Will
content themselves with such brief eX-
plantations as may be found necessary
of the various paragraphs as they are
reached.
1T seems desirable that at the be-
ginning of this discussion the majority
of the finance committee should present
to the senate in detail their estimate of
the effect which the bill would have up
on the revenue and that they should eX-
plain in a general way the character of
the amendments they have suggested.
1.-The majority of the committee be-
lieVe that if a thorough revision of our
revenue laws, such as is contemplated
by the house bill is necessary, 1t should
be carried out in a conservative spirit
and that such a moderate and reason
able measure should be adopted as Will
insure a much greater degree of per-
manence to our tariff legislation. Ere
uuent revisiOnS of the tariff are prOduc-
tive of long periods of uncertainty and
arrested development. The radical
change of policy in 1894 proved disas-
trous to the business interests of the
country 1t was 1 believe thoroughly
understood throughout the country in
the last political campaign that if the
Republican party should be again en-
trusted with power. no extreme tariff
IegiSlatiO would follow. 1t was beIeV-
ed that in the changed conditions of the
country return to the duties imposed
by the act of 1890 would not be neces-
sary even from a protective standpoint.
1T was with these facts constantly in
view that the majority of the finance
committee prepared the amendments
which they have submitted for your
consideration. Nothing could be more
conductive to the return and mainten-
ance of real prosperity in this country
than the we'll grounded belief that
there were to be no violent changes in
our revenue policy for some years to
come. The true friends of the prOtec-
tive policy do not insist upon extreme
rates, nor any that are not necessary to
euualize conditions. w hile it is true that
rates above this line are often inOpera-
tive vet it must be admitted that they
furnish needless opportunities for de-
structive attacks. The committee be-
Ieves that in the productions they have
suggested from the rates imposed in the
house bill that they have not gone in
any instance below the protective point
and if the bill should become a law in
the form presented by them every
American industry would be enabled to
meet foreign competition on equal
terms. The rates suggested by the
committees amendments are cOnsidera-
bly, below those by the house bill and in
most instances below those contained in
the act of 1890.
In suggesting these reductions the
members of the majority of the COM
nittee reaffirm and emphasize their pO-
sitiOn as friends of the protective pol
icy. The ultimate purpose of this pol
icy is to secure as far as isspOssible by
wise and conservative legislation, the
steady growth and development of all
interests, agricultural, manufacturing
and commercial. The provisions of a
taTlIT law aH6Cl All these interests IN
mum berIess ways and unless there can
be stability in a tariff policy there can
be no certainty of prosperity, for indus
trial conditions in this country with
very few exceptions, do not demand a
return to the rates imposed by the act
of 1890. The bitter contest which is go
ing on among the leading nations of the
world for Industrial supremacy has
brought about improvements in meth
DDS and economies in production to an
extent which was not thought possible
a few years ago. These new conditions
must be taken into account in consider
ing the rates to be imposed. Without
relinouishing one particle of our devO-
ton to the cause of protection, we feel
that we have a right to ask that the
cause shall not be burdened by the i'm
position of duties which are unneceS-
sary and excessive. In the readjust-
ment of the rates suggested, the COM
rnittee has tried in every instance to
make them sufficiently protective to do
mestic interests without being prohibi-
tive.