The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-01
THE BLAINE PROPOSITION
Opinions of Prominent Public Men
and the Press.
Republicans and Democrats Nearly Unani-
nous in Opposing the Scheme as
Unwise and Inadmissible.
Washington Special.

Washington Special.
Senators and representatives have more or
less canvassed Mr. Blaine's proposition to
divide the tax on spirits between the States
according to population.
Senator Sherman said: ''This is nothing
new. 1t has been proposed time and time
again. General Logan introduced bill last
winter to divide the whisky tax among the
States for common-school purposes. He
may think Mr.. Blaine is after his patent.
Nothing was ever done with it. 1t is now
only brought before the public in another
FORM"
Senator Harrison said: 81 have not had
time to read Mr.. Blaine's letter, but am of
the opinion that the people are not willing
to take the tax off whisky. That comes
about as near being luxury as anything.
Whether Congress has right to create
revenue for the stated purpose of dividing it
among the States is a question open to differ
ences. suppose that where surplus does
accumulate it can be expended as Congress
sees fit, but to go TO work and make sur
plus for the purpose of parceling it around,
is matter which needs to be thought about
seriously"
Hon. John A. Kasson of Iowa, said: II do
not think the people will approve any plan
to impose tax for the simple purpose of
paying IL DICK III Inherent pfOpOItiOIo.
The Republican party will not adopt any
such plan"
II question very much whether any such
proposition will be seriously considered"
said Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois
"With the Democrats there seems to be
but one prevailing opinion, said Randolph
Tucker, of Virginia "Any such plan is UNI
constitutional. 1t strikes at the very essence
of the independence of the States"
Judge Holman was equally positive. '"The
plan is nadmissible and undemocratic' he
declared. Our whole party is against such
schemes. The government has no right to
collect greater tax than its necessities de-
mand. A vast surplus is source of corrup-
ton. The place for the peoples money is in
their pockets. Some of the States are out of
debt, and if they are not, why should my
State be taxed to pay other peoples obliga-
tions? Money loses weight very rapidly in
being collected and paid out The Office
holders are benefited, and no one else. do
not want the whisky tax removed Let it
remain, but there are legal and proper ways
to reduce the surplus. We want to keep the
surplus down to the lowest point, but the
way to do it is to tighten the grievous taxes,
and not to hunt around for a way to dispose
of it."
Governor Butler said: "In the first place,
Mr. Blaine's proposition is that the United
States should collect the internal revenue on
tobacco and whisky, and distribute it among
the States; and the arguments therefor were
that the revenue would be a sum which
would be rendered certain; and secondly,
that it would largely reduce State taxation.
But Mr.. Blaine seems to forget that there is
such thing as the constitution of the
United States, which provides for only two
classes of taxes-direct ard indirect; that is,
customs and revenue and direct taxation.
But it also provides Il do not quote wordsE
that direct taye shall be apportioned among
the people according to representation. Now,
Mr.. Blaine proposes to collect large
amount OF direct taxes from few States, and
distribute the money among the people of
all the States, per capita. | hope, before that
is attempted, somebody will show the con-
stitutional warrant for so doing"
Representative Reed, of Maine thought
the prop osition worthy serious discussion.
He said: ITO sum the whole matter up we
have revenue from two sources. First
from the tariff which ought not to be
touched and will not be; and second, from
internal revenue, which ought not to be
given up. We have a surplus which comes
without distressing the people, winch we
cannot use at present without financial dan
ger. Under these circumstances Mr.. Blaines
proposition ought to have full discussion.
The proposed remedy is new but the COM
plant is also new. In the North a large
share of the taxation is caused by war debts,
incurred for the nation; relief from the ma
ton which would be only repayment. In
the South large expense must be under.
taken to expel the ignorance, consequent
aid has been, and will be demanded. The
assignment of this tax would grant aid in a
way that would arouse no sectional feeling"