The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-04-19

TO Rob The Treasury OF tt Surplus

The most gigantic scheme Of plum
dering the public treasury ever con-
ceived in this government was the di-
rect tax refunding scheme that caus-
ed a deadlock to the proceedings of
Congress for several days. This
scheme had the active support Of the
Republican members Of the House,
the bill having previously passed the
Senate, aided by such bastard DEM
ocrats as Sam Randall.
In 1861 Congress levied upon the
States direct tax for the prosecu-
ton of the war and the support of
the federal troops. This tax, under
the constitution was apportioned
among the states in proportion to the
population Of each. In Iowa this tax
was collected by the county treasures
by authority Of the state law rs were
other taxes. The persons who paid
them were not only able but willing
to pay, and most Of them are now
either dead or moved to other parts,
SO that any attempt to refund to them
individually would be futile. The
state paid only what it thus collected,
hence it has no claim on the federal
government that the money be re-
funded.
1t is part Of the contest to pre-
vent reducing the outrageous tariff
taxation which is taking from the
people and piling up in the public
treasury millions Of money beyond
the legitimate requirements Of the
government. This explains why 1t
had the support of such men As RAN
dali.
In Iowa our tax levy for all state
purposes for the next two years has
been made by act Of the Legislature
just adjourned. and this tax returned
to the state will not make the sum to
be paid by the taxpayers Of the
state one farthing less. while it will
let the burden Of the interest bearing
debt of the United States remain. An
honest effort to relieve the people Of
their burdens, would be q law conn
polling the Secretary Of the treasury
to apply the surplus in the treasury
in payment of the bonds outstanding,
every one of which, under the public
credit strengthening act Of 1860, are
now payable at the option Of the
government.
Should the scheme to plumber the
treasury and let the debt Of the ma
ton remain to enslase the people pass.
it will be the duty of the President to
protect the public treasury and pre-
serve the liberties Of the people by
interposing the presidential veto up.
on this villanious measure of plumber
and piracy.
The Dubuque Telegraph In the
following paragraph shows what in
nuences are aiding the plunderers In
this reprehensible measure:
1t is the lobby rather than the
states that is anxious to have the d.
rect tax refunded, and the lobby is
anxious because it is interested. In
response to inquiries sent by tele-
graph TO the governors Of many of
the states asking what amount the
state agents would receive in the
event OF the enactment Of the law.
replies were received by members Of
the house Of representatives as fol-
lows: The state agent Of Iowa is to re-
ceiye % per cent. on $38427l, or. in
round numbers, $96,OOO; kansas 10
per cent. on $62, 500, or, 6,2S6; Ken
lucky per cent. on S6O6, SAL, or $780,
$50: Maine, % per cent. on 1857. 7O2,
or xs9, 425; Maryland, $3.50, 600 OF $751;
2y0; Massachusetts. % per cent. of
$7OO,S94, or $4,000: Minnesota, Is
per cent. on $92, $50, or *23,O64; Mis-
souri, Is per cent Oh St41, 100, or, $97,-
O43: New York ID per cent. x2.l32, 100.
or x3l9.s13: Ohio III per cent, on $532,-
O25, or $l332O2: South Carolina IS
per cent. on 1868. $40, or $127. 249; Ne
braska SO per cent. on "a 22O. or 81
40; Michigan 40 per cent. on e426,-
z96, or $1,000.
The Cosmopolitan commenced it,
fifth year with the March number.