The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-31

these people $500 ton. and it is left
for the Senate to decide now whether
we shall reduce the price to $500 or
will allow the Government way out
Dy giving it an opportunity to make
its own armor ii it can not buy it at
that price.
Mr.. President, 1 have only to say in
conclusion that I would be glad if
somebody would ask some question
about this, for I have probably fosgot.
ten some points about it.
Mr.. Stewart. would ask the Sena
tor the cost of the same kind of armor
in other countries2
Mr.. Tillman. We found out that all
the armor manufacturers in the world
are in the same combination that these
two American concerns are-the Creu-
sot people in France, the German
manufacturers, and the English ara
all together, each robbing their own
Government all in a pile. So that if
you 90 abroad, you will only get on
the other prong of the fork. You do
not want to 60 abroad. l would rath'
er pay the American workmen $40 o
day for six hours work, and let this
money be distributed among the
masses, than allow it to 60 into the
pockets of the combination here. Let
us do the Government business
through Government agencies, and
then these combinations against the
Government will be in vain.
(To Mr.. Quay, who had risen.) Now
I am ready for the Senator, who is the
blouse Senator. Laughter.) lam
afraid he is not with the workingman.
I know how he is going to vote.
Mr.. QuayCThere is no difficulty
about the way I am going to cast my
vote on this question; but merely
desire to ask the Senator from South
Carolina whether I understood him to
say that this amendment, proposing to
limit the cost to $500, comes from the
Naval Committee and is offered by
the authority of that committed
Mr.. Tillman-It comes i'll this way.
The Senator from New Hampshire and
all of the committee, except four, were
in favor of fixing the limit at $500,
but out of consideration for the other
members of the committee, and with
a desire, as we thought, to be reason
able and to get scme action-mind
you, we have got to run the gantlet
of the House, and everybody knows
how the trusts are fortified in that
end of the capital at this time, with
the gag law in full force and effect,
with every man manacled and unable
to obtain the eye Of the speaker or get
chance to say word, unless he
crawl around on his belly like a worm
for free American Representative
in Congress has got to crawl around
like whipped cur to obtain recogni'
ton. You can not do anything over
there; and unless the Senate rises to
its duty and protects the people, then
the steal goes on. The majority OF
| the committee are in favor Of $500 q
ton.
Mr.. Quay-But they Gid not direct
this amendment to be offered on the
floor of the Senate.
Mr.. Tillman-We did not direct it.
Mr.. Quay-That is all want to
know.
Mr.. Tillman-We did not direct, it
because we knew that we had to pass
the gantlet of the great moguls of the
Appropriations Committee, and we
proposed to come in here, where we
would have a better chance, and ask
you gentlemen to give us some con,
sideration. Lst the Naval Committee
take charge of the Navy. instead OF
you gentlemen of the Committee on
App opriations managing it, because
we do know more about it than you
do, although you are all"wise and
have been here long enough to have
wisdom die with you whenever you
90 out of here. daughter