The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-30
AT LIEDERKRANz HALL.
Fifteen Hundred People Listen to Mr.. Ran
dalrs Discourse on Taxation.

t1lteen hundred HeOple Listen TO NkEs RSsu-
dalfs Discourse on Taxation.
LOUISVILLE, Dec. 29-Fifteen hundred PEG
pie assembled in Liederkranz Hall, tonight. to
listen to addresses by Samuel j. Randall and
Mr. McAdoo. Most of the audience came before
o'clock, and the hall was comfortably filed by
that hour The audience quietly awaited tbear-
rival of the distinguished party for a while, but
they became little impatient before they ar
rived There were no decorations either in
the hall or on ths stage Two rows
of chairs were ranged on the stage, and these
were filled, after the distinguished guests
rived, principally by merchants and other bust
ness men. Among them were Judge W. B.
Hoke DR.. W. Fl. Watson, Gen. Basil Duke,
Col Sterling B. fancy and Messrs. John E.
Green, john NJ. Robinson, John G.. Roach As
sistant Secretary of State II. NJ. Mccarthy and
about forty others. There was noticeable alb
sence of the political element, however.
The meeting was called to order by ex-Gov.
Blackburn at o'clock. Upon motion of Gen.
Duke Mr. A D. Mccullough was chosen secre-
tary, and the members of the daily press assist
ants. Shortly after o'clock, Mr. Randall and
Mr.. McAdoo arrived. They came from the
Pendennis Club, and were escorted by a com
mittee, composed of Mayor Jacob Bishop Dud-
ley, John E. Green, John N. Atherton, Harry
Messenger, John G. Roach, and Chas. r. Long
Gov. Blackburn was seated at a table in
front, and advanced to meet them. Mr.
Randall and Mr. McAdoo took chairs with him
by the table. and the other gentlemen seated
themselves in the rear. The crowd cheered vo-
eiferously upon their arrival, the gentlemen
the stage joining enthusiastically. When the
-. I'd NJ 1an ID
vanced with the chairman to the foot-lights AS
they did so, the cheering broke
out afresh and continued for two
or three minutes. A voice shouted
"Hurrah for WatteTson," and the cry was taken
mp, mingled with cheers for Randall and Kisses
Finally the noise subsidized and Governor Black
burn half facing the visitors, delivered short
address of welcome, at the conclusion which Mr..
Randall stepped forward, to be again enthu-
siastieally cheered. He was in full evening
dress, and spoke without manuscript, as follows:
''Fellow-countrymen Your welcome oyerccmes
me- ] am here, nearly thousand miles from
home, and yet l fell that am among home
friends Cheers l recognize the common fell
lowship Of my countrymen. do not come to
indulge in oratory, neither shall l employ rhet-
oric; it has been the habit of my life in treating
of public subjects that have come under
my notice for investigation, to use the test of
the touch of common sense There has been no
subject that has ever been so difficult among the
nations of solution as taxation. In the United
States from the organization of the government
to the present time, it has occasoned irritation
and discomfort And it is not to be wondered
at when we come to consider it, that our system
of taxation is complex. We have federal
taxation, we have State taxation, we have
local taxation, and when the amount of taxation
gathered through these three agencies is aggre
gated, it is large in amount, and we require
that the expenditure of the money realized
for various purposes should be economically eX
pended. We think we have right to say to all
men in official station that there shall be no
taxes collected in excess of the necessary
requirements of public affairs. TCheersI. l
wish to be more emphatic. deny the con
stitutional powers of any administration
in this country to collect one dollar in excess of
that amount, under any pretense whatever
Applause Having laid down this proposition
il is incumbent upon me 10 make the inquiry
whether recent administrations of this govern
,nent came up to the measure of its
requirements. To-day we have $450,00OO0
and nearly 5000 900 900 OF that amount is there
without a dollar of claim against it. What we
want and | think but voice the people of the
United States, is to have that 500 600, 900, or
nearly that amount thrown out of the treasury
by the purchase of the public debt so that it
may find its way through the channels of trade
and commerce. In addition to this taxation,
the United States is taking annually
from the people 500, 600, 600 in addition
to what is there stored in the Treasury,
without necessity or constitutional right as ]
think What in this contingency, are we to dol
We should repeal all those laws which produce
this excessive amount of revenue; and it is that
in which we differ with our political opponents
MIR Blaine has recently declared in a letter, in
favor Of a distribution of this surplus annual
collection among the States and the citizens
thereof / deny the right to raise dollar from
The products Of the American people for any
such purpose. Distribute it among the Statesl
What is the first effect of any procedure of that
sort? You make at once the States of this Union
dependent on the federal power and whenever
YOU do that you sap the very foundations Of the
freedom Of the people OF the States and