Mr. SPRAGUE. I do not desire to occupy the attention of the Senate more than a ine ment upon this question. Isimply wish to express tie hope that the Senate will refer the ill, without instructions, to the ComFinance, and that they will report a bill in accordance with the usual manner pursued by that committee. It will be recollected, in reference to the tax bill, that that committee entertained the subject at a very late period of the session, occupied but a ver few days in its consideration, and presents it to the Senate in a comparatively perfect manner. It was promised by all those who took an interest in the subject of taxation that after the disposal of that bill the tariff would be adjusted in accordance with the revision of the tax bill. This bill is but a continuation of the tax bill; it is a part and parcel of it; and without it the other one is of no value and no consequence to the country, to its interests, to its industry, or to anything that at present occupies the attention of the pegpolew., sir, in regard to the point that has been made here that there has been no time devoted to the consideration of this subject, I will say that the committee in the other House devoted 7 long months to its consideration. They have sent a measure here as perfect as, in the nature of things, it could be sent. There are some points in it in regard to which men from NewEngland may differ as to its particular advantage to that section. Everybody may'well concede that; but, sir, that the interest of this whole country is not very much benefited by this tariff, I eny; and I deny, also, that the manufacturing and other industrial interests of this country are not very much in need 6f an adjustment of the tariff. Why, sir, the whole woolen industry of this country is prostrate. It cannot live, it will not live, if the present state of things continues. No new enterprises will be entered into; and if you strike a blow at it now the old ones will hesitate, will pause, and cease to operate. You have throughout the whole session been devoting your attention to see how you would dispose of the public money. There has been hardly a day that I have occupied a seat here but what there have been propositions before us to appropriate the public money for some object or another. Today when a measure is introduced to enable us to raise the money to be devoted to those appropriations, what do you say? You have not time to devote your selves to the great industries of this country. I have heard no reason adduced by any senator who has opposed the present consideration of this measure that seems to are worthy of attention, or sufficient to make any Senator, favorable to a tariff and to the protection of American industry, hesitate as to the vote he shall give. NewEngland may complain at lumber being taxed, at coal being taxed, and because there is a duty on salt; but, sir, those in my judgment are very immaterial elements in connection with this bill. The tax on the coal that is introduced into this country from Nova Scotia really amounts to nothing, for the reason that it has been discovered by all those who have used the 2 articles of coal thatthe southern cool, the Maryland and Vir 'iiia coal, is superior to the coal received from glove. Sco tia, and sufficiently so to counterbalance the difference in duties. There are in this country 2 great interests that have recently ained some strength and some foundation. no is the woolen interest, but a youthful growth. It has been within the last 12 years that it has gained any foundation or any strength. The linen interest is another. The attention of the people of the country and of the legislation ofithe country has been directed to them, and at this session the Senate legislated specially for one of those interests. Mr. President, to my mind every consideration connected with the industry of the country, the finances of the countr, and the pros perit of the people, deman s that this bill should be taken up at the present time, should be legislated upon, and given to the country as the law of the and