National Republican., 1888-02-06
Col. Henderson, of North Carolina,
Attempts Denial.

We have received letter from the Hon
John 5. Henderson, of North Carolina,
which we print, that reads as follows
ErIIoR NATIONAL REPuBLIcAN: An editorial
IN the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN this morning
headed Trying to Dodge" Is altogether un-
fair in its references TO me. 1t is an entire
mistake TO say that have "introduced a bill
in the House OF Representatives which leaves
the machinery of the internal revenue laws
and the taxes all in existence, and at the
same time provides that the law shall n)t be
enforced" on the contrary, / have intro
Guced a bill for the total repeal of the internal
revenue laws, another Tor the total repeal of
the tobacco tax aud another Tor the total repeal
Ofthe tax on fruit brdndies. think the whole
system is an Infamous one, aud should not be
tolerated or submitted 10 by free people. If
could have my way 1t would be
wiped out instantly But the sentiment and
temper OF the present Congress seem to be op.
posed 10 the repeal of the whisky tax. l hope
however, Congress will have the good sense to
repeal all the taxes on tobacco and fruit
brNndies. No bill introduced by me provides
that the internal revenue law shall not be
enforced nor is there any such object sought
thereby. ! have cndeavored TO frame several
provisions calculated to remove some of the
mostirritating and oppressive features of the
law. For example, propose to abolish store
keepers at distilleries which mash five bushels
Ofgrain per day or less. This will effect a saw
ing OF at least 100000 per annum to the gov
eTnment and will dispense with about two
thirds Ofthe internal revenue officials in my
own state. such distillerIes will pay tax ac.
cnyding TO theik capacity, and will continue to
be subject 10 visitation as brandy dis
tilleries are now. Some other provisions
are the following The judges of the
United States courts will Oe given dis.
cTetion to Impose any punishment upon those
who may violate the law not exceeding the
maximum limit imposed by the statute. In
North Carolina these judges are both Republi-
cans, and are gentlemen of character and in.
tegrty, and may be trusted to enforce the law
with hrmness and yigor, or with moderation
and humanity, according to the peculiar cir.
CumstanCes of each particular case. As the
law now stands the judges cannot usually inn
pose any punishment less than fixed mini.
mum punishment named in the statute. The
law now permits United States commissioners
TO issue warrants in any case, returnable before
themselves, regardless Of distance, con.
yenienCe, or expense. II is proposed to leave
the power Of the commissioners unrestrCtc
in regard to the issuing of the warrants, but to
require them to be returnable before
some United States commissioner or other
judicial CiliCer residing IN the c)uuty
Of arrest or II none in that county before
some such Judicial OIliccr In another county
nearest to the place Of arrest. II is proposed
to prohibit the whntOn destruction OF stills.
There are other prOyLs ions which have not
the time TO enumeate, but there is absolutely
nothing political in any bill introduced by me
on this or any other subject, nor will the en-.
GctmCLt Of anything have proposed have the
tttc, 70 keep Democratic officials In oilice or
prevent vigorous enforcement of the law.
The people of North Carolina of both parties
have long endured the expressions and tyran.
nical abuses OF the internal revenue laws, and
they are looking 10 his Congress for relIei.
Congress may turn deaf ear to their appeal, as
las been done oitGntlmes heretofore, but
this Will not stop tho agitation,
The whole system is evil and IS op.
posed TO the genius Of American liberty
ard ought TO he abolished now. II, however,
the fhieth Congress shall undoubtedly de.
feat as you intimate every measure In that
direction, the next election may send repre-.
feEIGtiyes here more fayorably inclined TO heed
the wishes Of the people, who oppose the con-
tinuance of an excise system more odOus and
exssperating thanany the people of the United
HtEJes have ever been forced to endure since
they became free and Independent people.
JoHN S, HENDERSON.
WAsu!ECToS, Feb. 9.
Col, Henderson, In his rather elaborate
answer to the editorial OF the NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN,, fails TO call attention to sec.
lion Of House t!ll 1902 and section OF