The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-07

has not eradicated this condition" said MT. Clayton.
 would have slavery in this country today if 1t had not been for that great re- publican party"
 Prolonged applause followed this retort. and MT. Hill, declining to pursue this con troversy. continued with his argument
 While he was a protectionist from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet. he said he was a protecuonist against for eign countries, and not as against our own possessions.
 MT. Cassell Of Pennsylvania asked if the quality Of Philippine tobacco would not improve under more favorable tariff rates
 not to get better the purpose of the pro- posed tariff bill would not be aeeomp- lished.
 Chinese Are Kept Out.
 speaking of the argument that the cheap labor of the Orient would be brought in direct competition with American tobae- co workers by reduction Of the duty on Philippine tobacco, MT. Hill called attention to the fact that American exclu- sion laws keep Chinese out of the islands, and contract labor cannot be employed. He said practically all the cigar and cigarette makers are Filipinos. few Chin csc being employed.
 Mir Hill said the manufacture of frst-class handmade cigar Is almost as expensive as Tn the United States
 Mir Hill summarized the purely com- mercia1 effects of the proposed reduction In tariff, saying the stimulus to industry in the islands will result in the reserva- tion of Philippine interests, which must sink into ruin if relief be not afforded. He said the greatest benefit, however, will be the increased alternative markets in the United States, and the islands for high-grade products at good prices.
 In conclusion Mir. Hill said the Ameri- can National conscience will not permit this. He said Philippine interests are essentially domestic interests, and express ed confidence in the favorable action of congress on the proposed bill.
 MondeII Is Next Speaker,
 Mir Mondell of Wyoming was the next speaker. He said he approached the dis cussion with the full realization of the obligations of this government to the Fillpinos and also with a realization that charity should begin at home. Beet su- gar production in the United States was d child Of republican legislation, winch was protected until the United States decided to "do something for Cuba" MT. Mondell admitted he voted for the Cuban measure, but said he had never derived any comfort from the results of his vote. He declared there was an understanding then that there was no further reduction in sugar tariffs. The proposed conces- sion would make a spoiled child of the Filipino by building up great haeiendas, and not benehttIng the masses
 We are not giving the Philippines ev- cry opportunity in our markets, advant- ages that our country enjoy" said Mr. Mondell, ''and in return we are paying tribute to the Morro In internal revenue tax on goods imported to us''
 MT. Mondell ridiculed the statement of friends of the bill that only 9 per cent of the Philippine lands are tillable, and declared there were no islands in the world so fertile and capable of such ex- tenslve agricultural development.
 He urged that the American farmer who raises beets be the first man con- sidered, and the beet raisers he said could not share in Secretary Taft's eager- ness to benefit the F'ilipinos at the expense of the American farmer.
 Destroy Beet Sugar Industry.
 MT. Mondell opposed building up their industries at the expense of an American industry. He predicted that the bill if passed would destroy the beet sugar in-
 
 MT. Lawrence of Massachusetts, spoke briefly to reply to the remarks of Mr. Clark, regarding the tariff move in Massa- chusetts.
 MT. Lawrence said the ways and means committee has heard and answered the tariff prayer of the Filipino, now it was time the people at home should be rec ognized in their wants. There had been long time demand for free hides. free coal, free lumber and free alcohol in the arts, he said.
 The republican party had taken the position that the tariff should be revised to meet existing conditions.
 ''I believe that the time has come now" said MT. Lawrence, who spoke of the action of the Massachusetts legislature and of the Massachusetts representatives who had declared to that effect. While revision was needed, he said the repub- licans of Massachusetts hold their all legianee to the principles of protection, and therefore, they did not wish revision through an alliance with the free policy of the democratic party.
 MT. Lawrence did not believe the re- publican party was a stand pat party" nor 'let we'll enough alone" party.
 He concluded by warning that his- tory might repeat itself and should the dominant party favoring protection fail to adjust the tariff, the task might be turned over by the people Ito the party who did not believe in the protection principle, and whose work in that line had been disastrous in the past
 The house adjourned at o'clock.