The National tribune., 1884-04-03


thus forcibly stated the true issue before
Congress. Said he:
Are we to legisate any further in favor of specu-
lators and monopotists? Every mail Mr.. Chair
man, brings me letters from old decrepit soldiers
and destitute soldiers widows, asking for relief,
begging for more liberal pension laws asking that
some of the absurd and unjust provisions of the
existing laws should be amended so as to give
worthy claimants chance to have their claims
adjusted; but, Mr.. Chairman, with sorrow must
say that so far they have succeeded in getting
hearing. They have not the potent influence
these whisky-owners have.
The poor do not seem to stand any show before
Congress. Their appeals for relief due them re-
main unheeded; the prayers of the poor soldiers.
OF starving soldiers widows find no response; but
as rich bankers wealthy distliers whole
sale dealers and spectators in whisky appear be-
fore Congress asking for legislation TO put money
into their pockets. this House is quite willing and
ready 10 listen to them. When Fitz-John Porter
wants what he calls relief the request is granted in
hurry.
Some Of the gentlemen. notably my eloquent
friend the goden-haired and silver-tongued orator
from the Rocky mountains, have claimed that
there is too money in the vaults of the Treas
ury and that the 10000 due from the dstiliers
would still more swell that sum. This is quite
true, Dir. Chairman but if the gentlemen are hard
up for a remedy / VIII prescribe one.
Esiai fish postal telegraph. which would break
down another gigantic monopoly and would bene-
fit the whole people; donate q part of the surplus
TO the several States for educational purposes To
wipe out illiteracy; make liberal appropriations
for what cali :" our navy provide generously
for our coast defenses; complete the work of river
and harbor Improvement; erect public buildings
wherever they are needed, and promptly pay
every Union soldier. every Union soldiers widow,
everybody. in fact, who has just claim against
this Government.
Here spoke the statesman. What the
people demand of Congress is not reduc-
ton of taxation, but the immediate applica-
ton of the surplus in the Treasury to the
discharge Of the Governments obligations.
Hitherto, whenever it has been proposed to
discharge the debt to the soldier, it has been
objected that the revenues were not suffi-
Gent for the purpose; now that they are
ample for the occasion, the people demand
that the pledges Of the Government shall be
fulfilled.
Mr.. Guenther but reflects the popular
sentiment when he charges that the poor
do not stand any show before Congress
It is but too true that " the prayers of the
poor soldiers, of starving soldiers widows
find no response" and it is calculated to stir
the indignation of every honest citizen to
see how much time is wasted and frittered
away on measures of little Importance. while
measures of vital concern to our veterans
are allowed to slumber in committee.
But intolerable as this neglect is, it is not
so fraught with danger to the soldiers hopes
as some other phases of the situation. The
thing most to be dreaded at the present time
in our judgment, is the possibility that an
attempt viii be made during the present
/ Congress to 50 curtaI the revenues Of the
Government as to leave no surplus in the
/ Treasury out of which to meet the demands
which additional pension or bounty Iegisla-
ton would make upon it. Although the
action Of the recent Democratic caucus can
scarcely be regarded as determinative of the
course of tariff and revenue legislation in
the House, it must be admitted that there
are elements in both political parties that
would gladly vote for the repeal of all in.
ternal revenue taxes, and such repeal, it is
scarcely necessary for us to say, would
operate as bar to any further legislation IL
the interest of our ex-soldiers.
At the same time therefore, that our vet
Grams urge upon Congress the necessity o.
prompt action on the various measure.
looking to the liberalizing and extension o.
the pension and bounty laws, they should
unite in protesting against any reduction o.
internal revenue taxation For such a re-
duetion there can be no justification in fac
or theory. The only result of the modifica
lions made by the last Congress was t,
enrich a few individuals without in tn,
slightest degree benefitiDg the general pub
lie, and the repeal Of The taxes on whisky
and tobacco would simply serve tostrength. 1
these great monopolics. We have in MIND
two manufacturers of patent medicines, one
Of whom was benefited to the extent o
$4,000, and the other to the amount 0
$4,000 by the repeal of the stamp tax las
year, while the consumer did not profit a
al BY the reduction Bnt, after all, the rea
question involved in the proposition tx
reduce internal revenue taxation is one 0
abstract justice, not expediency. Wha
right has the Government, so long as it
debt to the soldier remains unpaid, to vol
unfairly relinquish any portion Of its reve
nncs? So long as its Obligations to tht
bondholdcr required the imposition Of so
called war taxes not . voice was heard IL