The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-05-27

schedule into account, it is a fact def
nitely demonstrated by the market re
ports that the protection given the Ameri
can wool grower under the senate bill il
greater and more effective than he ha
ever before receivd in American tariff
| Under this schedule wool growing should
become in time one of the most proftabl,
branches of American agriculture.
Duty on Hides.
"NIany changes are made in schedul,
In. The one which will attract most at
tenton is the placing of a duty on hides
of cattle Representatives of western
states in which cattle are raised have
been for many years insisting that duty
on hides should find a place in a tariff
intended to protect all American inter
ests. This contention has been resisted
by the tanners of the country. who be
lieved that it would be placing unneces.
sary burdens on their import industry.
II shall not attempt to enter into de.
tail as to the reasons which led the com.
mittee to suggest the imposition of such
duty. Speaking for myself, believe
that the fears which have been so en-
phatically expressed as to the injurious
effects of the duty have been largely
over-estimated, and that no very serious
burden will be placed upon either the
tanning, the leather or the boot and
shoe industry if the amendments had
been adopted.
The Free List.
"Many changes are suggested in the
free list. Among the more notable of
these is recommendation to return to
the liberal provisions of the existing law
with regard to the free importation of
boots, works of art, etc, under certain
conditions.
''At the time the bill was reported
from the committee ] stated in their be-
half that an amendment looking to the
more rapid development and extension
of reciprocal trade with foreign cOun-
tries would be reported from the COM
mittee at n latter day. The committee
have not yet found the opportunity to
prepare such an amendment"
In conclusion, Mr.. Aldrich said:
1--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
labOrs and shall clleerfully accept your
judgment as to the wisdom of our con-
clusion."
Mr.. Aldrch closed at $40 p. NJ, hav-
ing spoken little over an hour.
ment of which he has heretofore given
notice, that when articles are manufacture
ed by trust articles of such character
imported from abroad shall be free from
luty. He said he would ask its consid-
grafton Immediately after the committee
Senator Vest Speaks.
Mr.. Vest of the finance committee was
hen recognized.
'We know" he said. "the desperate
of the country. the ruined
homes, the blasted hearts. If prosperity
,an come from any source, even from our
ldversaries, we will bless the moment. l
10 not believe the imposition of higher
ariff duties will dispel the clouds hang
ng above us, bringing in the sunshine and
the whole country"
1t has been said, Mr.. Vest proceeded,
hat adversely came with the advent of
he democratic party. But adversely did
lot come with the advent of the demo-
ratio party. Mr.. Vest said he would
summon as a witness no less an authority
han Mr.. William B. Mckinley. The
senator read from report made by Mr..
Mckinley on April 1, 1890, setting forth
he distress which the farmers of the
country were suffering. How was it eX-
,ected the senator asked that by ncreas-
ng the burden of tariff the farmers would
le helped to buy more goods. All agreed
here must be sufficient revenue to meet
he requirements of the government, that
he government credit shall be sustained
md her flag hOnOred, but every dollar col
ected by the government beyond its needs
$ Il crime.
Why was it, Mr.. Vest asked. that the
.npnhlipnn n hIa 70 hnn Ipr ;tc
ecord and urge tariff, not for prOtec-
ion, but for the amount of revenue it will
produce. Why does it abandon its record
md propose tax on tea? The senator
aid there was ut this time an available
balance in the treasury of S229,35O, $50.
Deducting the gold reserve of 100000
)0O, the available balance was S129,350
100. This vast amount of idle money
vas now accumulated in the treasury.
Md yet the senate was told it must i'm
'ose upon our suffering people additional
axes. When President Harrison turned
yer the government to President Cleve
and the treasury balance stood at $24,-
2S,0S7. Today there was S105,000,O0O
more than when Mr.. Harrison turned
yer the government affairs to Mr.. Cleve-
md. How could this obvious fact be
voided?
Mr.. Dingley admitted it, Mr.. Vest said,
nd tried to explain 1t on the ground that
ubsidiary coin and certain deficits were
included in this present treasury balance.
But with these (about S26,0000O0) out,
here remained about $92,O0O.OO0 avail
BILE for the uses of the government. To
vercome this Dingley says we ought to
Increase the gold reserve TO S150,00O,000.
even if there was deficit of $65,000,000
his year. which Mr.. Vest did not admit
ct, yet there was ample money in the
reasury to meet this deficit. Why. then,
hould we hurry to put more taxes on the
'eople, when every dollar unnecessarily
boarded by the government is a crime
gainst the people? Mr.. Vest said it was
Unfortunate that the republican side had
ffered no estimate of revenue until to-
lay. Inquiry had been made of Statisti-
ian Ford as to the promised comparative
statement, and he had stated it was turn
d over to the senator from Rhode Island
Aldrich).
Mr.. Vest asked what the estimate of
'Ir. Ford was on the bills.
Mr.. Aldrich replied the statistician
tated that in his opinion neither the
louse nor the senate bill would furnish
sufficient to meet the expenses of the gov
Mr.. Vest, proceeding, declared the prop
,stion to raise S31 100000 of revenu, by
tax ON tea and increased internal reve-
lue taxes was naked and bold aban-
lonment of the protective policy of the
epublican party. Where was the pro-
ection to manufacturers? he asked.
The senator said the greatest suffering
n the country was felt in the agricul