The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-18
Mr.. Mills Succeeds in Referring 1t to
the Committee of the Whole.
10 Speaks First on the Greatest
Question Before Congress.
Not a Word Is Wasted in Upholding
the Good of Tariff Reform.
! FUN, Yet Sententious, Presentation of
the Merits Of His Bill-Judge
Kelley Replies in opposi-
ton to 1t.

.WAsmISoToN, April Ill House. j
1ls were reported for the erection OF
oblic buildings at Sioux City, Ia; New
orleans, La; Brownsville, Tex; Hot
prings, Ark; Helena, Mont, and Racine,
Mis-
A resolution was reported and adopted
skiing the Postmaster-General for infor-
lation concerning the rates OF postage on
beds, and whether Canadians are given
lvantages over Americans engaged in the
eed business.
Dir. Mills, Of Texas, then moved that
he House 60 into committee OF the whole
br the consideration Of the tariff bill. No
opposition was made to the motion, and
was carried without a division Mr..
pringer, of Illinois, assuming the chair.
During the late war, said Mr.. Mills,
he took the floor 10 open the debate,
he expenditures required by the enor-
nous military establishment demanded
nat the burdens OF taxation should be
id heavily in all directions authorized
y the constitution. The internal revenue
lxcs. the direct tax, had been called
hto requisiiion TO supplement the rev.
hues arising from customs TO enable the
easury TO respond TO the heavy demands
aily made upon il. The duties on i'm.
orls had been raised from an average oi
;. 81 per cent. in 1861 to an average OF
D. 20 per cent. during the five years from
b62 10 1866 inclusive. This had been
ecognized at the time rs an exceptionally
eavy burden. and il had been stated by the
Distinguished gentleman VINO presented
be tariff measure nj the time, that this sis
blended rs war measure-a temper AIRY
easure-and we must give IL our sup.
0rt."
More than twenty years had elapsed
nee the war ended. A generation had
asscd and new generation had appeared
n the stage since peace had returned "a
less our common country; but these wal
lxes still remained, and they were heavier
play than they were on the average dur
ig the five years OF the existence OF hos
lities. The average rate Of duty during
10 last five years amounted 10 4I5l per
ent, and during the last yeaI
ne average. was IIl0. After this
rgc increase had been made
ongreS had imposed Sigh
ircct or internal revenue tax upon domes
c manufactures, and that tax had brough
hio the treasury in 1896 Si27,0OO, 900
hat was but tithc OF the heavy BURDEN
hat were laid upon imports. II amounte,
about per cent. on the whole manu-
pictured products Of the country in 1886
was thought 10 be q reasonable tax &
Impose ON manufacturers who were re
ciying large bountics from the govern
ncnt in enhancement OF the prices OF thei
roducis. But that tax was gone.
ould not live. II was a tax on wealth
1 was a tax that came out OF the pocket
4 the manufacturers. II was a tax tina
amc from those into whose pockets tn
government had brought large bouniiea
congress had imposed a tax on incomes &
help carry on the war, and there wer
90, 40 people in the United States in 1856
hat had S7O7, coo, 900 Of net income upol
which they were assessed, a duty whicl
brought into this treasury In 1896 S22,0 900,
00. But that tax had gone. II was alta,
bn wealth. II was said 20 be an enormou
AZ. II was said 10 be inquisitorial In Il
halurc. IL was said TO be oppressive. ]
was thought 10 be Just by thos
who had charge OF tho admin
Istraiion of the Government 10 take OF
khose burdens and place them ON th
Ihoulders of thoso whom the official NJ
korts sbowel had nothing but living
And n tax of per cent. on net income
kegregating S707. .OOO, 900 was swept away
bnt the war tar on clothing, upon foo
md upon labor still remained. Every ei
.ort that had been made 10 bring the ex
ErtIons Of Inc government down 10 a pcac
<stablishment had been rcsisted step b
sicn. and every effort had been defeated
1bere had becn n tax ON railroads. but
has cone. II aid not live long after III
k~ry IA had been tar on wealth. II wa
taid 10 he oppressive 10 tax tho wealthy
There had been n tax on insurance con
nanica. n was gone. There had been
Itax on express companies. II was gone
Th.ro had been n tax on bank deposit
ant bank capital. Il was gone. Thrc
hundrcd million that had been paid b
tLe wealth Of the country had been sweT
nav, and the burden Of taxation ha
bccn mndc heavier, as u had been loadc
|uuon the shoulders Of those who had I
|sopport themselves and the government
Nj tax Of per cent. TO be paid out
~ pockets Of the manufacturers OF blanl
weight more enormous than the In
Nc per cent. paid by the consumers o
mforted and domestic producisl Was th
a< of 2 per cent on incomes more opprei
Iv1 than the tax ol 100 per cent. ON w
ncn = and childrcn,s dress goodsf Yet q
I.... IN nj