to the first question stated
by me, how best to get at a revision of the tariff, I say the
quickest way is the best way.

* * * * *

"Now, it does seem to me, with due deference to the opinion of the
Senator from Kentucky, that the quickest mode of revision is by a
commission. At the beginning of this session I believed it was
better to do it through the committees of the two Houses; but the
committee on ways and means of the House of Representatives alone
has the power to report a bill, and until then we in the Senate
are as helpless as children in this matter. The committee on ways
and means have declared in favor of a commission, and have reported
a bill to that effect; and they are the only power in this government
that can report a tariff bill under the rules of the House. The
House is the only body that can originate it under the constitution.
As they have decided in favor of a commission, why should we insist
upon it that they shall do the work themselves?

"Besides, half the session has passed away, and the committee on
ways and means is burdened with other duties. We know that as the
session approaches an end, they probably cannot devote time to the
general tariff question.

* * * * *

"If they will give us a bill about sugar and these other items, it
is all we can reasonably ask them to do. When Congress adjourns,
you cannot expect the committee on ways and means, or any other
committee of Congress, to devote all their recess to public business.
Elections are coming off for Members of Congress, and they will
look after the elections. They must have a little rest. Therefore,
the idea of waiting for the committees of Congress to act, is
preposterous in my judgment. It is too late. If the committee
had commenced on the first Monday of December, they might by this
time probably had prepared a bill. They have made no such preparation,
and, therefore, it is utterly idle to wait.

"I think, then, and I submit it to the good, cool sense and judgment
of my friend from Kentucky, that the better way is as early as
possible to organize a commission; let it be constituted, as I have
no doubt the President will take care to constitute it, of fair
and impartial men. They will be fresh at least. Let them frame
a bill with the aid of officers of the treasury department, so that
by the next session we may have a general revision of the tariff.

"Upon the main question there appears to be no substantial dif