Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-02-09

tatlVeS Win Small naJOrlty, OciuOCIduV,
struggling with their own differences as to
method the Senator in his recent speech
proceeds 10 say:
II may also ask, why did not Congress
then apply the remedy? The Forty ninth
Congress lived its two years and died. Mr..
Cleveland was then as now President of the
United States. The House of Representa-
tiyes contained large majority of his
political friends. They alone had the In
itiative, the organization, the constitution
al power to introduce bill to reduce taxes.
Why was it not done?"
Such, sir, is the animadversion of the
honorable Senator when House Of Repre-
sentatiyes, with small Democratic major
ity, can not do as it pleases in the face OF
a determined opposition. But hear the OBJ
servations of the same honorable Senator,
when Republican Senate, of which he
was one, dealing with the same subject,
finds itself hopeless to carry out its will:
1--WE acknowledge the power of the mi
nority here, almost our equal, because
whether there is majority OF the Senate
is question always of doubt and uncer-
tainty. We acknowledge their power; we
l pay VoOASanCS ~ lt3 VIC AS'PSSe SASA
power"
And such, Mr.. President, is the testi-
mony of one who is not without experience
himself why beholdest thou the mote
that is in thy brothers. eye, but cOnsiderest
not the beam that is in thine own eyer"
The honorable Senator kindly agrees
with the President that unnecessary and
extravagant appropriations ought not to be
made. To avoid a surplus OF revenue mo
money" he says, " ught to be collected
from the people except to meet the require
ments of the Government properly and
economically administered. The express
sion is superfuOus on the part of the Sena-
tor, unless it be intended to apply to the
existing condition of affairs. He is there
/ fore
IN HARMONY WITH THE PRESIDENT,
upon whom he made the assault, when
the President uses the following language
in his message.
when we consider that the theory of
our institutions guarantees to every citizen
the full enjoyment of all the fruits of his
industry and enterprise, with only such
deduction as may be his share towards the
careful and economical maintenance OF the
Government which protects him, 1t Is plain
that the exactiOn of more than this is indie
feasible extortion and a culpable betrayal
of American fairness and justice. This
wrong inflicted upon those who bear the
burden of national taxation, like other
wrongs, multplies brood of evil conse-
quences."
But the honorable Senator assails the
President because, speaking of spirits, to-
baccO, and beer, the President says that
there appears to be no Just complaint OF
these taxes by the consumers of these arti-
/ cles, and that there seems to be nothing so
well able to bear the burden without hard
ships to any portion of the people" The
Senator then proceeds to say that
at may be that there is no complaint
by the consumers. But can he say that of
the producers of these articles? They are
all either the product of the farm or imme-
date fruits of the product of the farm.
Their chief cost is in the leaf tobacco, or
the corn, rye, wheat, and harley of the
farm. Do not farmers complain Of this
tax? If the President thinks they do not
he is greatly mistaken. = The
traditions and policy of our people are
against internal taxes. During and since
the war they were necessity. Now, If
continued, they should be reduced; espe-
cially the tax on tobacco, no longer neces-
sary, should be RENTED"
When, may l be permitted TO ask, did
the honorable Senator undergo a change of
heart on this important subject? In 1867
he declared:
"The luxuries are mostly contained in
the items spirits, wines, ana tobacco.
These are undoubtedly the first objects
that should be taxed"
In 1870 he declared;
"And these two taxes on spirits and
tobacco, together with the tax on ferment-
ed liquors, over So, 600, 600, are paid with
out complaint in every part of the United
States"
Interruptiou-Mr. Sherman: II think so
now; it is not the consumers that COM
plain, but the manufacturers, the farmers
Complain
Mr.. Kenna-'I beg pardon, but prefer
not to be interrupted"
Mr.. Sherman:-'I beg pardon l will not
interrupt the Senator, if he does not wish
to yield, but he seemed to appeal to me
personally, and felt bound to say what I
have said D"
Mr.. Kenna:-'I am frank to say that
my appeal is so the Senator personally,
every word of it, as he will see as pro-
coed"
In 1882 he said that,
These taxes ought to be left as part of
our permanent system of taxation as long
as any other taxes, internal or external,
more oppressive, remain on the statute
bCoks.n
And l ask the honorable Senator, when
he comes to answer that question, whether
he says that now?
Mr.. Sherman-Do you want my ans
wer?
Dir. Kenna-I will yield to the Senator
to answer the question, but not to make