Evening star., 1886-11-18
THE IROQUOIS BANQUET.
Letter From The President and
Speeches by Speaker Carlisle and Sen.
0tOr Beck.


A Letter From The President and
Speeches by Speaker Carlisle and Sem
ntOr Beck.
Nearly three hundred prominent democrats
sat down to the Iroquois banquet at Chicago
last night. Letters of regret were read by some
who found it impossible 10 attend.
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
was read. in which he says: 81 regret exceed
ingly that official duties, just at this time un-
usually exacting and important, prevent my
acceptance of your invitation to attend the
fourth annual banquet of the IroQuois club on
the 18th instant. am much impressed with
the present Importance of the thorough and
timely discussion by the people Of the various
ment and the prosperity of the country, and
winch, because they are SO related, concern the
In the work which must be undertaken of pre-
sentlng these questions to the judgment of our
ciuzens IN such a manner as to remove misap-
prehenslons and aid the correct conclusion,
believe that the Iroquois club will prove q
most effective instrumentality."
Letters were read from Mayor-elect Hewitt,
Representatives 8. S. Cox and Belmont, Gov
ernor Hill, Governor FitZhugh Lee, Hon. Allan
9. Thurman and Gen. Fitz John Porter.
SPEAKER CARLISLE ON REVENUE REFORM.
Speaker Carlisle responded to the toast
American Industries: Their Growth and Pros
perity Cannot be Promoted by Unnecessary or
Unequal Taxation" He said: "Although the
toast just read asserts a self-evident truth, we
this age of philosophical speculation and prac.
tical knowledge, there are men in the front
ranks of literature, politics, and business who
seriously contend that the government can
make its citizens rich and prosperous by taxing
them. II these gentlemen should attempt to
convince the public that the farmer could be
made more prosperous by increasing the tax
on his land, or that the manufacturer could be
benefited by compelling him to pay high
rate OF taxation on his machinery, or his
income abSurCltv
be SO apparent as to excite universal ridicule;
and yet such proposition would be no more alb
tion that the prosperity OF the people
generally can be increased by imposing
TAXES taxes their their clothing
transportation, and their TOOLS and imple
ments used in their industries. Taxes do not
create wealth; they destroy it. All taxation,
whether it be direct or indirect, and no matter
how 1t may be disguised or in what manner its
payment may be enforced, is ultimately a
invariable effect is to withdraw the tuli amount
OF the exacton from the productive industries
OF the people. When ii is equitably imposed for
public purposes only and its proceeds are hon.
estly used in defray ying the necessary expenses
and meeting the just obligations of the govern
ment, all are equally benefited and no one has
Alright TO complain; but, when a tax is imposed
upon one part of the people or one class of in
dustries simply for the purpose of increasing
other class of industries or when a tax is SO laid
that its necessary effect is to increase the profits
in some Industries at the expense of others
equally meritorious, the impolicy and injustice
of the proceeding are too obvious to require
comment. Absolute equality in the adjustment
OF the rates OF taxation and in designation of
the articles upon which it shall be imposed is
not to be expected, and in fact not attainable,
but substantial equality and uniformity are
o ons s n the every Just Of ys
exercised only for the purpose of raising
revenue for the support of the gov
and uniformity can be recognized and en-
forced in a large degree at least, but when the
power is perverted and used to increase the
profits of private individuals and prevent the
collection of revenue by the government, it is
impossible to regulate its exercise by any rule
In such a case equality and uniformity will
necessarily defeat the primary object of the
tax, because it is evident that IL all were COM
pelied TO pay equal tribute to each other nobody
would be benefited, and it is just as evident
that Ii all do not pay equal tribute somebody
mast be cheated. American industries-and
by these mean TO include every honest and
useful occupation-cannot be promoted by any
system of taxation or any policy of legislation
which discriminates between them, and COM
pels one to contribute a part of its own earnings
10 increase the profits or prevent losses in an
other. There should be no expatriated or per-
secuted industries in the country. There should
be no ranks or degrees among the legitimate
occupations OF the people, nor any road TO the
favor or bounty OF the government not open to
all alike. That taxation for protective
purposes has resulted so tar in a continuous
waste of capital and labor in this country is
present
the so-called protected industries ana by the
history OF our legislation On the subject
THE FIGHT FOR REFORM WILL GO ON.
"But no matter who may desert or who may
falter the great fight for reform will go on. This
country does not belong to either the monopo-
save it from both. Between the two there
stands great and powerful body yOfenlightened,
conservative and patriotic citizen. who obey
the laws and preserve the public peace and
who, in spite of ali combinations and cOnspira-
cies, will ultimately see that the true princi-
pies OF justice and equality prevail in the legs-
lation OF the country. Even to prevent the
continuance OF long-eXtsting and constantly.
increasing evils they will not rush from one
extreme TO another, but will proceed carefully,
deliberately and resoutely to correct ineauaii-
ties, remove unnecessary burdens, and open
the paths that lead to peace and prosperity
While tree trade is impracticable, industrial
and commercial emancipation can and will be
accomplished by wise and moderate measures
OF reform, without interfering with any private
enterprise or 1njuriug any public interest. To
this some of US at least are irrevocably pledged
not only by the traditions and declarations of
the political party to which we belong, but by
sense OF personal and official duty which
cannot be disregarded without betraying the
Whether in public or in private life, / shall
stand by that pledge, and to the extent of my
abilities.and opportunities contribute in every
way to the early and complete triumph Of reve-
nue. retorm.''
OTHER TOAsTs
were: 1.-THE Treasury Surplus and the Tariff"
Hon. j. Il. Beck; "The Public Lands aud the
Peoples Heritage for Homes" Hon. w. ].
Sparks; 'The Great Republic" Hon. NJ. W.
Fuller; .'The President of the United States"
Hon. Edward S. Bragg; Monopoly Shall Not
Rule" Hon. s. sterling Morton; "rhe Sanctity
OF the American Home the Safeguard of Amer
lean Liberty" Hon. James X. Doolittle; "The
Democratic Party I. J. Kinne; 1.-The Young
Man in Politics. Hon. F. n. Lehman.
SENATOR BECK SAID
he expected to live to see the policy and poll
tics of this republic dictated by the men OF the
Mississippi valley and the lakes. You ask me
what that has to do with the subjects of tariffs,
taxes and surplus revenue. Everything. To
be great and commanding in your proud posi-
ton, he said, you must tighten the burdens of
labor and production; you must open up traffic
with the world and regain our lost carrying
trade on the high seas; you must increase the
purchasing power OF the wages of the laborer,
and send the manufactures of this country to
Mexico, Central and South America, the West
Indies. China, Japan, Congo, and all the less
advanced countries OF the earth, and not give
up these great markets as we now do to Eng
land, France and Germany.
Tender.He earted Sullivan.
HOW THE CHAMPION PUG Hist TREATED RYAN
IN THE FIGHT.
A telegram to the New York Heruld from San
Francisco, CAL, Nov. 16, says: The report that
Paddy Ryan Went east to-day Is without foun-
There tyf. ct fyhf fyp1fh IA I'm 4