The National tribune., 1886-07-22
"JUSTICE, NOT AIMS"
The InsIncerity Of the Income Tax Proposition

The Inslneerity or the Income Tax Proposition.
Speech of Hon. J. ]. Laird, of Nebraska,
June %:
Mr.. Speaker. the attitude Of our Democratic
friends the question Of prospective gratitude TO
the soldier Is very touching IL recalls to my mind
what took place upon this floor on the 4th day Of
May last, when there under consideration
bill for the relief OF certain officers of the volunteer
army and for other purposes, which contained q
proposition to do simple justice TO two classes Of
men who were overlooked in the hurry Of the war;
they had been forgotten and not remembered from
that time to this, notwithstanding the patriotic
anxiety OF the great Democratic party. First that
bill proposed to pay to officers of the volunteer
army who had been promoted after re-enlistment
the bounty which was due them according to law
and second to pay to soldiers honorably discharged
for other reasons than wounds before the expira-
ton OF two years of service, the money Bounty
which was due them according to law.
Do you remember that day gentlemen and what
you did? And remembering that, can you tell the
soldiers OF this country that you are their friends1
1 remember that In the course of that debate on
May three things took place. First you con-
sented to give US as matter OF grace. not Justice
what we sought for the veteran officers IL we upon
our part would betray and sell out the private
soldiers. You were willing To swap and trade, to
deal ia and dieker out justice to one class If we
would surrender the other that is you would
grant as matter of grace what due to the
officers, II we matter of barter would surren-
der what was due TO the private soldiers.
Second. remember in that debate the peculiar
attitude OF the gentleman from New York Mr..
Hewitt. who is now the fierce and impetuous ad-
Vi pIoSPccLNc 10 the BOluler, pro-
vided such gratuities paid for by an income tax
The argument Of that gentleman Mr.. Hewitt and
the altitude OF your party prociaims that II the
veteran sufferers of the will go down upon their
knees and crawl upon the ground and lick the
hand OF the millionaire, those veterans can have
justice. Can we? And what have we done TO de-
serve such 'monstrous" gratitude at your hands |?
How stands the now7 You have your
millions, and the veterans their honor unsullied by
beggary; you have earned in peace while we
fought In part at least your battles You have the
golden rewards Of thrifty peace, we the glorious
record won on the battlehelds. You can keep your
millions. and we viii keep our honor. lApplauss
on the Republican sidel
IL pension legislation Is TO be made odious by the
levy Of an obnoxious property tar to meet It, Ii the
veterans cannot be paid out Of the public Treasury
as Is the Congressman, the Senator, the clerk and
all the creditors OF the Nation, then will wait
until that can be done.
The gentleman from New York Mr.. Hewitt In
his speech against the bill offered by myself on the
18th OF May, who Is now overcome with q desire
TO rush to the of the unfortunate soldier and
repeal the arrears act and redeem the promises Of
the Democratic National Convention, who is so
anxious TO do that which Is impossible to be DONE
and to bestow impossible rewards upon the soldier