The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-09-06
VOL. /.
HHEyEbRsa,s6s y sPEECss.

nc lOlloWlnS ls VIC Apeech vi ItoH'
Thomas A. Hendricks, delivered in
indianapolis, Ind, August 90
Fellow citizens IL appreciate the
privilege and honor of addressing you,
and ] recognize the duty of speaking
frankly and without conccalment or
eSaggeration Of amy material fact or
opinion, May | first ask your atton-
tion to the necessity and importance
of revenue reform? Power to levy and
collect taxes is among the highest and
most responsible Of the attributes of
the Government. 1t ranks with the
right and faculty of taking private
property for public use, and with the
right and power of transferring citi-
zens from the pursuit of private life to
the duties and hazards of war. 1t
takes from man that which is his and
appropriates it to public use, 1t seiz-
es upon the earnings Of labor as well
as upon the accumulations of capital.
To every man the inquiry is of person
al concern and tho answer is of public
consequence; how far may the Gov
eminent go in the exercise of the pow
er to tax the people? Freely and
cheerfully we all answer that there
shall be no limitation or restraint up
on the absolute and entire mainte-
nance OF public authority, with all of its
faculties and functions unimpaired.
Whatever the Government can lawful
ly do, and of right should do, the tax
payers will furnish it means to accom-
plish. Beyond this is the province of
privaterfght, to invade which is usurp-
alton. The Government economical
iySadmilstered snail be supported.
Are you men from farms, shops and
stores willing that any other rule
should be adopted? May they take
your money for uses not authorized
by the constitution or not for the pub
lie welfare, or, that it may be piled up
in vaults to tempt the greed of un-
scrupulous? When the war came tax
alton was necessarily and rightfully
increased. Large revenues were need
ed to supply and maintain great ar
mics, but with the ending Of war and
the expenditures consequent upon it
there passed away the necessity for 9
war standard of taxation. Why ther
has such standard continued? The
party that has held almost unbrokel
power for nineteen years OF peace
must respond to that infamy. In hi
message of December 4th, 1882, Prcsi
dent Arthur admonishod Congress
that at the prior session he had urget
upon its attention the "importance o
relieving the industries and cntcrpris,
OF unnecessary taxation"
In the same message he said tina
the people have been in substantial
accord in the doctrine; "That onl
such taxesynught to be levied as ar
necessary for ihc wise and economies
administration of the government.
The President continued: "Of lat
the public. revenues have far exceede
that limit and unless checked by az
propriate legislation such excess wi
continue to increase from year t
year" For the fiscal year ended Jun
Both, 1881, the surplus revenue amour
ed to $1S0,000,000; for the fiscal yea
ended 30th OF June, last year, the su
plus was more than $145,000,00
What say you, my countrymen? Di
that showing not call for revenue l.
form2 During that Congress tt
House was made positively Republ
can largely by partisan action. NJ
much heed was given by it to Il
startling statement made by the Pre-
ident OF the enormous excess in rev
nues. The modification of the inte
nal revenue system and of the tar
made on March following left an e
cess of $S5,000,000 OF revenue. In h
last annual report Decent er 3rd, las
the Secretary OF the Treasury es
mates the surplus Of the current We
at $85,000,000, and adds; $50 Il
question still presses: What legisl
ton is necessary to relieve the peoE
OF unnecessary taxes?"
Yes; it is question of $S5,000,0
OF unnecessary taxes in one year,
the accumulation is constant
speech recently made at Richmor
Mr.. Calkins, candidate for Governt
boasting of the achievements of |
party, made the statement, which
adopt without examination, that t
"Repubican party found an emr
treasury now it has a surplus of SAC
000,000" That is an enormous ST
OF money! More, believe, than h
the paper currency Of the count
Estimating our population at 5000
600, it is IS for each man, woman a
child. That sum OF money lies idle
the treasury. II it had been left W
the people, it would become the W
ing and active servant of labor
would stimulate aud strengthen