Speech #510065763

Sir. the Democratic party. recognizing the fact that only about oneeighth of the sugar consumed in this country is raised at home. has contended that it is better to lay a revenue duty on this article rather than lay a burdensome tax upon the necessaries of life. which the poor are bound to have as well as the rich. But. sir. it appears the Republican party. acting on a different principle and in the interests of manufacturing trusts and combines. is not willing to let the people have anything cheap. By this bill your party says to the people. in effect. "We will give you free sugar from abroad and we will pay you 2 cents a pound on all the sugar you raise from beets. sorghum. and sugarcane. and by this means we will reduce the revenues of the Government about $55.000.000. the amount now annually collected by the Government on the importation of sugar. but as our party has been so generous as to give you free sugar from abroad and pay you 2 cents a pound on what you produce. in consideration of this munificent gift and for the purpose of encouraging our infant manufacturing industries and protecting our laboring classes from coining in competition with the pauper labor of Europe we will have to lay some additional burdens on your cutlery. table and glass ware. and upon your tinplates. pans. and buckets. and upon the windowglass that lets the light of heaven into your humble cottages as well as into the paiaces of the rich. and upon your carpenter and blacksmith tools and farm implements. and although the duty on many of these articles has been increased over 100 per cent. we think the Government and the manufacturing industries of the country have not been fully comnpesated for the concessions made to you on sugar. and therefore we will tax you on wool hats. blankets. womens and childrens dress goods. and woolen cloth from 75 to 130 per cent. " These. Mr. Chairman. are the logical inferences to be drawn from the provisions of this bill and the arguments made in its favor by its advocates.