West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-10-03
Opening Speech OF Mr.. Hendricks.

MIR Hendricks. in replying. said he
recognized the duty of speaking frankly
and without Couccalmcnt. He asked
their attention to the necessity and inn
purtancc ~ revenue reform The power
to levy and collect taxes he regarded rs
among the highest and most rcsponSi-
blc attributes of government. In au-
swcr To the question. How far may Gov
ernment go i'm the exercise of the DOW
cr To tax the pooplep he said that all
should freely and checriully answer
THAI there shall bo no limitation aud ro-
strnint this side the absolute aud entire
maintenance of public authority. with
all its faculties and functions unim-
paired. Whatever the Government can
lawfully do. and of right should do, the
taxpayers will furnish il the means To
accomplish. Beyond this is the prov
inco of private right, To invade which
is usurpation. The Government econ
omically administered shall be sup
ported
MIR. Hendricks referred then to the
war, at which time taxation was ncccs-
sarily and rightfully increased but
when the war ceased and its conSc-
qucnt expenditures had passed the ne
Cessity for war standard of taxation
passed. But il had been continued.
He cited the message of President Ar
thur in 1884 to show that the CHIEF EN-
ccutivc himself, notwithstanding he
was tho head of the party, called for
revenue reform. But Congress gave
no need To the recommendation. In
his annual report (3d December lasD
the Secretary of the Treasury estimates
the surplus for the current year Mt
$50, 900, 600, and adds: $50 the question
still presses What legislation is ncccs-
sary To relieve the people of unnecessary
taNcsp'
MIR. hendricks, answering the Secrc-
tary's question, replied: "Ycs, it is the
question of $50, 200. 900 unnecessary
taxes in one year. The accumulation
is constant. Continuing, he said:
"Revenuo reform must come from 9th
or quarters IL can not come from
the representations of favored classes,
who ask inequality in legislation that
there may bo unjust inequality i'm the
profits of the varied pursuits Of the
people"
He gave an exhaustive review Of the
principles enunciated by the platform
of the Chicago National Democratic
convention, concluding that, "whcn
expressed in the laws, their bcnchcient
influence will become active and uni
vcrsal. Lower taxes will signify light
er burdens upon the peoples money re-
turning To the channels of trade; enter
prise restored and stimulated; renewed
demand for the products of industry,
and the consequent increased demand
for labor and universal prosperity. II
tho $500, 600, 600 now locked up in the
A Al
of trade and commerce, who can doubt
that labor would find employment and
the Manufacturer n market for his fab
RESP
Touching upon the condition of
American ocean commerce. he said il
was disgraccful. Practically there was
no merchant marine. The obituary Of
tho American navy is written i'm the
tariff and shipping laws He cited SEN
ator Harrison, IA Republican, in proof
oi his assertion that our navy is rOtting
down. lie asked what party held tho
rCins while these things were going on,
and asserted that nothing i'm the histo-
ry Of the Democratic party could be-
brought out to show that IL was on
posed to the maintaining of the navy.
What rcmcdy.' hc asked, "for the
there he except i'm a change i'm the con
troll and management Of public allairs?'
lie appealed to their Judgment that n
change was necessary. Suspicion justi
fed the conclusion that the ways arc
dark. The books should be opened.
Mar Hendricks then asked their at
tcntion TO the probable foreign policy of
the Presidential candidates. The South
American policy Of Mr. Blaine was not
of nature TO Justify the supposition
rs claimed that he would be either
American or dashing. People knew
well enough what vote that was in
ten ted 10 catch. but it would fail. He
quoted the Democratic platform ON the
foreign policy which would be carried
out in case of the elect on of their candi
date, and stated the policy that the
Democratic party had carried out when
10 was in power Z" Let.' ne said. 'fhe
merit Of this claim bo decided upon the
comparison and contrast of two cases.
one under Demo rat administration,
and the other under Mr. Blaine as Sec
rotary Of State
ON the ono side was the Martin
Koszta case. in 1919 He was not even
"a citizen Of the United States Engaged
in the Hungarian revolt against Aus
tria, hc fled ~ tho United States. Hc
declared his intention 10 become 70 citi-
zen, but never completed his naturalila-
tiun papcr- Returning 10 Europe, ho
was seized by Austrian cmissarics. ri.
release was demanded and refused. An
American slOOp OF war was prepared
FOR action. and by the prompt and cm-
phaUc steps of the Government he was
released and rcmandcd ~ the United
States
In striking contrast he referred tO
tSe case Of McSweeney, which occurred
when Mr. Blaine was Secretary Of State
in the Cabinet Of Mr.. Garfield lie said
"lt is not alleged that McSwccney had
committed any crime or violated any
law lie being an American citizen, he
Immediately forwarded his naturaliza-
ton papers, together with n solemn
protest against this British outrage. TO
the American Minister at London Mrs.
McSwcency's communication and ap-
peal were made to the Secretary Of
State direct while Mr. Blaine held that
oilico, and when, as suppose he was
iu the discharge of many Of the duties
of The President That appeal was not
answered nor was the Minister ri Lon
don instructed 10 give % attention.
The case received no attention at the
state Department until Mr. Blaine had
retired from office. which was. rs / un-