Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-07-31
The Whitthorne Bill
Nashville Banner.


The American ridicules the Ava
lanche's idea that Mr. Whitthome's
cotton-tax reiunding bill is in the nat
ure of federal aid to state education,
and insists that as the tax was illegally
imposed it is simply nothing more than
the duty OF the government to refund
It to the people OF the states from whom
il was taken. In attempting 10 combat,
the idea that Mr.. Whitthorne's bill is
concession to the principle OF federal
aid to education in the states, the Amer
lean overlooks some points that are we'll
worthy of consideration.
That the cotton tax was illegal and
unjust, goes without saying. Exact
justice would require thatit be return
ed to parties who paid it, but this is adj
mitted to be impossible by Mr.. Whit
thorne himself. The farmers who rails
ed the cotton paid the tax. 1t il true
the bulk of the tax was paid by the cot
ton buyers, who hold most OF the exist
ing receipts, but it was the farmer who
sold the cotton who suffered the loss.
II it is possible to return this tax to the
this imposition, it should be done. But
assuming that this is impossible, and,
that the government is not justly enti-
tied to the money paid, it cannot be
said that the ends of justice can be fully
met by returning it to the state govern
ments. 1t may, however, be nearer
approach to justice to have this money
returned to the treasures OF the states
from whose people it was taken. y
But the point we wish to make is this
Assuming that it is impracticable and
impossible to return this money to the
individuals who suffered from the inn
position of the tax and who alone are
rlghtfully entitled to it, and assuming
| that the government OF the states from
which the tax was collected have right
to demand its return, why should there
be any conditions imposed by the led
eral government upon the states con-
corning their use or disposal OF the
money when returned? If the state has
right to demand that this tax be re-
turned to its treasury it has right to
demand 1t without conditions and re-
strictions in regard to its use and dispo-
sition.
Now, Mr.. Whitthorne in his bill,
while characterizing the collection oil
this tax as unconstitutional and un-
| just, is not content to ask its return to
the several states as an act of Justice to
those states, but he goes further and ac.
tually asks the federal congress to i'm
! pose conditions and restrictions requir-
ing that the money so retured shall be
used for educational purposes. He
even goes so far as to ask the federal
congress to require the state to formally
pledge its faith that said money shall be
held as an educational fund.and be ap
propriated for nothing else. Having
declared that the tax had been unjustly
collected and in defiance of the consti
tuition, and therefore implying that il
ought to be returned to the states as {
plain act OF justice to the states, he asks
as condition of this return that tht
federal congress shall require the states
, to surrender their prerogatiye of saying
how this money shall be used.
II it is just and proper that the $68,
00O, 900, collected by tax on cotton
should be returned to the states, then i
is right and proper that it should be re
turned without any conditions imposed
as to its use. Taking this view OF it
Mr.. Whitthorne makes practical ad
mission of the propriety of federal ali
/ to education when he prescribes that
fund, which justice demands shall b
used for educational purposes. HI
: thereby admits that the federal govern
, ment may direct the use OF money i
9 the states for education. Indeed, Nh
Whitthorne takes pains in his pream
BILE to refer to the illiteracy in the state
. and emphasize the emancipation OF th
T black population as ground for th
a governments direction of the use {
g this money.
If, on the other hand, it is assume
that this money can only be properl
e paid to the individuals who were force
l. to pay the unjust tax, then Mr.. Whi
thorne places himself still nearer tt
a endorsement of the principle of feder
lo aid to education. II the state cann
rightfully maintain its demand for Il
return OF the tax to its treasury ar
u have unrestricted control of it, the
Mr.. Whitthorne's efforts TO secure Il
money for educational purposes, is Ia q
~ rect concession to the idea OF feder
n aid. He places the idea of federal a
as motive for the payment of mon,
!, which he could not secure upon a siI
= pie demand for reparation. In at,
takes the cotton tax, which should
n discussed and acted upon as distin
i'll question OF right, and makes it pr
pretex for -vailing other prop,
ed measures looking to federal aid.
1d the Avalanche well says:
u Senator Whitthorne only admits
.at his bill the necessity for federal aid, I
necessity for raising il by taxation, a
his belief that the act must be cover
Oh up under pretended cotton tax, viii
he he would misappropriate from its ov
10. ers to public cause"
nd
no, Have prescribed Tongaline in seye