The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-18
On. vEsTs Oh, JONES.

The absurd and insincsre character OF
the opposition to the tariff bill Is shown
by the speeches on the item Of plants. 1t
was proposed to put duty on orchids,
drisinas. Hliss-of-the-valley ana all bulbs
and dubious roots. Senator Yes. trem-
bied with virtuous Indignation. II am
bound to say this is an outrage" he said
That we should place tax on the Row
ers brought into our homes aud to adorn
our dead is an outrage" Senator Vests
heart throbbed in pity for the humble
home which would have to put up with
American orchids. and for the discomfort
ed dead. which would not lie still unless
1t had imported jonquils on its tomb.
The physical and mental suffering a
patriot like Vest must endure through
this wearing and tearing Of his heart
strings cannot last long. II he throbs and
almost weeps because Vanderbilt will
have to buy only two instead Of three
orchids for the money he has felt able to
spare for these essentials of a happy
home. what pangs and aches must be his
lot when 1t Is suggested that the stary-
ing poor Of the United States cannot have
cocoanut meal without paying . duty. or
enjoy garlic except by paying a duty O,
three -auarters OF q cent a pound more
than II 1t could be imported free.
Jones. OF Arkansas. is another Of those
who. to quote scripture, are always hav-
ing their bowels moved to compassion"
and their tears ready for a weep for the
suffering poor. He wants orchids 70
come in free OF duty. He protests against
making II crime for our people to
beautify and decorate their homes and
bring u little brightness into them" He
cannot conceive of any humble home not
frightened by the CHEEKY voice Of the
bulb-ui. or decorated with rhododendrons
brought from Europe and free from duty
All the wide range of fora and fauna Of
the United States. beautiful and plentiful
as In any land beneath the sun. will not
suffice to make happy the home OF the
American who. in the eyes. or rather IN
the voice of Senator Vest and Senator
Jones. cannot have pineapple at quar-
ter of a cent pound less than 1t IS pro-
posed to charge. President Mckinley and
the Republican administration may bring
prosperity TO the sugar fields OF Louisiana
and the cotton fields Of Texas and Geor-
gia: they may put to profitable employ
ment every idle hand at the mills the
factories and the foundries. but unless
this oppressed but patient peopra can
have jonquils from the hothouses of Eng
land. olives from Italy and adulterated
wines from France. their brows will be
draped In mourning and their smiles be
drowned In tears.
Oh unhappy part NJ the country which
has 10 Jones. wrotched people who have
no Vest. how do you decorate your cot
taGes and whence can you replenish your
wine cellars2 Is life worth living without,
untaxed myroboian or the approach of
death not welcome unless we can tear
down the duty from tho plum OF Mohalb?
Oh. Jones, On, Vest How thy hearts
must ache and thy diaphragns get weary
with the pal2itaiions OF conmiseratiou.
And. oh. how weary you make us. Pc
fore you leave the scene Of your endeavors
on behalf OF the down-trodden American
people. make one last speech, and tell US
How can you look each other In the eyes
without laughing