Mr. BEAMAN. Mr. Chairman, when the ComWhole rose on last Saturday I was about to refer to the importance of the copper mines of this country, and especially those in the Lake Superior region. Idesire now to call the attentibn of the committee to some facts in reference to the importance of this interest. It seems to me, i gentlemen will give a little attention to the condition of these mines and the facts in reference to them, there will he no doubt in the minds of any that this amendment ought not to prevail. Now, sir, there has been invested in the copper region of Lake Superior over 30 million dollars. There is now a population of over 50,000 people there, sustained by this mining interest. There are 18 steamers constantl employed in carrying freight growing out 0 this interest. This vast amount of ca ital, this great industrial interest I have referred to, is limited simpl to the Lake Sn crior region, having no reference to the vast interests in California and in other parts of the country. 7 The Gentfrom Connecticut, [Mr. HUB BARD] who has moved this amendment, professes he is in favor of protection. He says if this amendment prevails there will still beaduty of 5%. ad) 1 cm upon copper ore; and he seems desirous of impressing on the minds of the committee that this is sufficient protection. If gentlemen will look into the question they wrll find that instead of being sufficient protection it is no protection at all. This mining interest previous to the breaking out of the war asked tbr no protection and received no protection; and it will ask no protection today if you will put it in the condition in which it was before the war. The truth is, that instead of offering protection to this mine in interest'it has been discriminated against. what are the facts? It has been estimated that every 100 pounds ofcopper, under the internalrevenue tax bill, now pays $4 65. Under the internalrevenue bill lately passed, that is reduced to $3 65 upon every 100 pounds of copper ore. The increased cost has been estimated to amount to 50%. over what it was previous to the breaking out of the war because of the increased price of labor in consequence of the internalrevenue tax imposed upon everything necessary to feed [Here the hammer fell.]