Mr. PRICE. I have listened with a great deal of interest to the debate on this tariff bill from the commencement of it. And I have heard a great deal said about. protection for the interests of this country. I believe, ifI properly understand the meaning of the word, that I am a protectionist. But if the very moment we strike the agricultural interests of this country protection is to cease, then I shall begin to review my course and opinions upon the question of protection, and conclude that possibly 1 am not quit; so much of a protectionistnfter all. The committee must allow me to say that if the manufacturer is to be protected, and the merchant is to be protected and all classes and cenditions of society are to be protected except the agriculturist. then I undertake to say that we have begun to protect at the wrong end, and have left entirely‘ out of sight the interest that needs protection the most and that must. have it. My friendfrom Vermont [Mr. Monntt.t.] tells us as an argument why the provision reported by the committee should not be changed, that previous Congresses have adopted a lower scale. I do not. know Mr. Chairman, that. I ought to speak longer, for I am afraid I shall interrupt the private conversation that seems to be so interesting to members here. It would he impolite. perhaps, to interrupt them. If I can be heard, I Wish to say a word in reply to the Gentfrom Vermont, [Mr. MORRll.l.] who says that the action of the last 3 Congresses has been of tidifferent char acterfrom that which I propose, and therefore we oughtto adheretothat line of poiicy. Now, sir, it just occurs to me that there is a class of politicians who "Chime on errors ast And stumble on in blundersto the Ihst f I do not propose to be one of that kind. I prefer, when I see that an error has been committed. to correct that error, and to do better in the future than I have done in the past. New, I have only to say to gentlemen of this committee that if the agricultural interest of this country cannot be protected to the some extent as all other interests, then I am not a protectionist or a tariff man, not in the least degree whatever. If the men who do the work of the nation, who constitute the bone and sinew.of the country, underlying the prosperity of every other interest, are not to be protected equally with other interests yes, sir, and above all other interests then I am not a protectionist. The agricultural class embraces the men who furnish the (labor of the community; and labor in this country, as in all other countries, is the only true standard of rulue. Sir. are we to tell the agriculturist that he must sell a bushel of flaxseed ata certain price to the eastern manufacturer for the making of oil because the seed can be raised in some foreign country at one dollar perbushel? Why, sir. have we not put a duty of 60, 70, 80%. upon iron and steel and other articles in which the manufacturing interests are concerned?, Mr. MORRILL. The gentleman will permit me to say that I am not opposed to protecting the agricultural interest; but we do protect the agricultural interests by putting a iiglher duty on linen, encouraging farmers to P raise flaxsced for the fiber rather than for the seed, and which will be found of far more value.