The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-06
THE INCOME TAX OUTRAGE

The opponents of the income tax came to
grief again yesterday in the Senate, and the
matter may be considered as definitely settled
for the present session at least, unless some
thing unforeseen should occur to inspire our
national legislators with an adequate idea of
the impolicy of their conduct. If the Sena-
tors aud Representatives who now insist upon
imposing this inquisitorial tax upon the
people of the United States, without even a
reasonable pretext for the continuance of
what the expressions of opinion on the sub
iect should have convinced them is an unmiti
gated nuisance, can be inspired with the
idea that their future political pros
poets depend upon their compliance with
the wishes of those who will be called
upon to decide as to their deserts, they will
be ready enough to obey the popular voice.
The trouble is that great many of the men
now in Congress fail totally, on this as we'll as
on many other questions of the day, to un-
ders.and the temper of the people, and the
election of some new men who are up with
tho spirit of the times will materially improve
both the Senate and House of Representa-
tives.
Official statements of the financial condi-
tion of the Government are placed before the
country every few weeks, and for a man
like Senator Sherman to get up in the
Senate and say as he did on Friday
last, that it was necessary to retain either the
tax upon gross receipts or the income tax
in order to keep the Government machine
running, proves either that he considers the
people of tho country to be fools, or else that
i Ill 4 10 how tr, 40
the management of the finances of great
nation like this.
A tax like that upon incomes, with all it's
attendant snnoyances, ought never to be inn
posed upon any people, except in case of
urgent necessity. Such a necessity did exist
when the Government was engaged in sup
pressing the Rebellion, and the loyal people
Of the United States cheerfully submitted to
all the personal inconvenience, especially as
there was clear and definite understanding
that the tax should expire by limitation at a
certain dste. That date has now arrived, and
the reimposition of the tax at this time, in
the face of the opposition to it, is an insult
ing piece of tyranny, for which there Is not
tue shadow of an excuse, and which Senators
and Representatives will find it hard to ex-
tenuate or explain away when they are seek
ing to be reelected
Yesterday Senator Conkling, who has
steadily opposed the continuance of the in
come tax, endeavored to have the vote of
Friday last reconsdered, but was unable to
do SO under the rules, and he accord
ingly moved new section forbidding
the collection of the tax. 1t was decided to
admit this amendment as question of order
by vote Of q to 81, and it could have been
carried if the opponents of the tax had been
half as much in earnest as it's advocates. AS
it was, Mr.. Conklings amendment was lost
by a single vote, the friends of the tax
securing five additional votes, and its oppo-
nents losing ono-that of Senator Cameron,
who left the Senate Chamber before the final
vote was taken. If Mr.. Cameron had re-
NAMED at his post, the question would have
been practically settled in accordance with
the wishes of the people, and we are unable
to see that he is less to blame than if he had
cast his vote for the other side.