Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-07-05
FAMOUS SPEECH Of
''QUININE JIM AGAIN
Address in Which He Came to Rescue
of Fever-stricken of Country Is
Dug Up by Tavenner.
By Clyde H. Tavenner.

By Clyde H. Tavenner.
Washington, July 5.-While dig
ging back through the Congressional
Record the other day, on one of the
aided pages came across the only
speech ever made on the floor by James
Mackenzie, a Democratic representa-
tive from Kentucky, in 1880 and 1881.
Mackenzie was a famous character in
those days. His speech brought him
fame and the soubriquet of "Quinine
JIM"
The story Of "Quinine jim" Mac
Kenzie is worth telling now, because
it gives a good idea Of how much re-
lance can be placed on the statements
of manufacturers that low tariff rates
are ruinous to them.
Until the late '70s, quinine hal al
ways borne heavy tariff tax, though
not pound of the bark was grown in
this country. AS a result the retail
price was very highs and $4 an
ounce, and some times going up as
high as $3.50 an ounce.
At such prices the poor could not af-
ford to buy quinine. In the South ma
laria ragged. The people were shaking
with ague, but they could not afford to
buy enough quinine to cure themselves.
The high protective tariff had built
up an extensive quinine manufacturing
business. There were five firms of
chemists manufacturing the drug, and
one of them, a Philadelphia firm, was
the largest producer of quinine in the
world.
The appeal of the poor for cheaper
quinine was finally heard by congress
and in 1879 the ways and means com
mittee met on a proposition to put
quinine on the free list.
The representatives of the wealthy
Philadelphia chemists appeared ant
declared that free quinine would de
stroy their business. Congress decided
that it was better for the quinine man
ufacturers to be forced out than fo
the people to die for want of cheaI
medicine. Quinine went on the fre
, list
The Philadelphia firm promptI
closed up its factory-for just tw
weeks. Then, having made good it
, threat to close, it reopened and co;
tinued to do business at the old stant
The price of quinine dropped frol
, $3.63 an ounce in 1879 to $3.03 i
5 1880, and $2.47 in 1881; with the Phi
= adelphia manufacturers still managin
. to exist at these prices,
) Then the Republicans got control @
congress, and a new tariff bill put qu
: nine back on the dutiable list. Whe
G the item was reached in the hous
Y it was the occasion for "Quinil
o jim S" first, last and only speech.
=. "The ague-stricken people of tn
+ country will call this congress a.
o cursed if the tax on this drug is =
j stored" he declared. eff you r,
t enact this tax you lend yourselves
j the establishment Of pesthouses an
}. fever hospitals, who wants to add rae
g and pain to beds Of sickness, wi
e wants to appear as the confederate :
b death, to record himself in favor
e the restoration Of the duty on gu
o nine"
That speech defeated the tax on gu
nine, The Republican house left it q
n the free list, and it has been there ev,
r since. Quinine has steadily fallen
a price. In recent times it has been
low as 33 cents an ounce. The Phil
delphia firm is still in business an
. has made millions out Of the increase
q demand for quinine.