Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-29
The Tariff Orators.

For weeks and weeks to cOme-nOhOdy
knows how long, but everybody hopes
it will be no longer than is absolutely
necessary-the Payne tariff bill will be
the subject of debate in Congress. First
in the House and then in the Senate it
be talked abou: as a whole and section
by section, in long and carefully pre-
pared speeches and in give-and- take
colloquies, by members who are honest
and painstaking students of the many
economic problems involved and by
members who would generally be class
ed quite otherwise. There have been
Some historic tariff debates in Congress
in the past generation and some of
them have inspired brilliant orators
who have won fame by their masterful
treatment of the subject-a subject
about which most people in the coun
try are prone to talk beyond the limits
of their real understanding of it. Re-
viewing these earlier tariff debates the
Washington Star has this to say:
Twenty-Five years ago Col. Morrison
OF Illinois introduced his famous hori-
zontal tariff bill. He himself was not
an orator, and his lieutenants had to
do the talking. Frank Hurd of Ohio
was the most brilliant of the number,
ard his speech was a fine specimen OF
his best powers. 1t was heard by a
packed chamber, and loudly applauded.
The bill was killed through democra-
tic detection, led by Samuel j. Randall.
Roger Q. Mills was the leader of the
House in the Fiftieth Congress, and re-
ported a tariff bill. He was q speaker
of power, and succeeded in passing his
bill through the House. There was
some excellent debate, but no speech
on either side of the chamber stood out
as of the highest quality.
1t was in the Fifty-first Congress,
which followed the election of Gen.
Harrison, that a memorable tariff de-
bate cock place. William Mckinley
was the leader Of the majority. and
John G.. Carlisle the leader of the min
GRITTY Mr.. Mckinley's first lieutenant
was Nelson Dingley, and Mr. Carlisle's
ly strong quartet But the most tell
ing speech was made by Thomas B.
Reed, who descended from the chair
for the purpose. He cared little for or
nament, and was prejudiced against
oratorical display, hut on this occasion
he spoke at some length and with thor
ough preparation. His satirical descrip-
ton of the free trader going into action
produced almost five minutes of laugh
ter, the Democrats themselves joining
in it heartily During the debate Mr..
Carlisle was transferred to the Senate,
ard when the bill reached that body
he discussed it in a speech which was
greatly admired.
The ablest speech in favor of the
Wilson bill in 1894 was made by the au
thor He was a scholarly man and
close reasoner, and while he left q sick
bed to close the debate and spoke with
his head heavily bandaged he acquitted
himself brilliantly. In the Senate.
where the bill was picked to pieces. the
most noteworthy speech was that of
David B. Hill. which. however, con-
cerned itself more with the constitu
tionality of the income tax provision
than with the general tariff problem.
The Supreme Court afterward sustain
ed Mr.. Hills position.
The debate on the Dingey bill pro-
duced no snowy speeches on either side.
The desire for early action. and figures
Of speech We're subordinated to arith
metical figures.
Are there among the new members
HurdS. and Reeds, and Mckinleys. and
Carlisles awaiting their chance? And is
there anything in the topic now tempt
ing to old members? A man may be an
old member either of the House or Sen
ate and enjoying his first opportunity
to talk tariff to practical point.
Twelve years have passed since the
Dingley bill was debated and became a
law.
Irving IT HOugh of Sanford has re-