The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1888-08-30
DEMOCRACY VS.. THE INTERNAL
REVENUE.

~ 49,
Internal Revenue question constantly
before the people. We want the peo-
pie to see exactly how matters stand,
and want them to judge for them
selves which party has pursued the
open, honest course. Although The
SENTINEL has had much to say on
this subject heretofore, it will not stop
until the voters of Piedmont n. G.
understand the matter thoroughly.
For several weeks we shall publish
articles on this same subject, showing
the records, and we want our friends
to read and preserve them. They are
good Democratic reading.
From the beginning of the govern
ment to this day, North Carolina and
the North Carolina Democracy have
opposed the internal revenue system.
The first Congress began its second
session on January 8, 1870. Early
in the session Mr.. Hamilton, then
Secretary of the Treasury, reported to
Congress his plans for funding the
war debt and for raising the necessa-
ry additional revenue.
He recommended for this latter
purpose an increase of existing tariff
duties and an excise Cor internal reve-
nue., as we would call it) tax on home
made spirits.
In November, 1890, the Legislature
of North Carolina assembled, and
alarmed at the measure before Con
gress, passed series of resolutions OF
instructions to the North Carolina
Senators in Congress. One of these
resolutions is thus recorded on the
pages Of the original manuscript
journal filed in the Capitol
"REsoLvED, That they strensuoa.sky
oppose every ereise a,ab direct taxation
La,o, should any be attempted IN Con-
gress."
The resolutions passed the House
unanimously ON Friday, December
10, 1890; were sent to the Senate on
Saturday; passed that body with like
unanimity on Monday and on Tues
day message from the Senate an
nounced to the House its concurrence
in the resolutions, which had been
carefully considered before final action
in Committee of the Whole by each
House.
The State and the Democratic par
| ty in the State have ever maintained
that position.
II 1870 the Democrats regained
control of the State Legislature, which
had fallen into Republican hands in
the days of reconstruction. Immedi-
ately, true to the policy aof the State,
and of the party in all the States from
the beginning of the government,
they commenced to wage war against
the excise tax laws by resolutions of
in .truction to Senators and Represen-
tatives. In 1870-'71-'73 the tax was
needed by the government to pay the
| debts Of war, and the instructions
were to seek reductions and modifca-
tians, if such were possible. But in
1874, 1876, 1881, 1883. 1884 and
1885, The tax being no longer neces-
sary, the demand has been for repeal
On November 80, 1874, the Legis-
lature
Resolved, That our Senators and
Representatives in Congress be in
structed to use their influence to have
said revenue laws repealed, or SO mod
flied as to relieve the masses of the
producers of the burthens which are
herein specified"
On January 26, 1888, the Legisla-
ture resolved
81. That the internal revenue taxes
of the United States ought to be re-
pealed at once, with such provisions,
by rebate of taxes or otherwise, as will
be just to those who hold for sale ar
ticIes for which taxes have been paid.
"6. That these resolutions are not
intended to interfere with the appli.
cation of the principle that it is just
and wise to tax articles that are inten-
ded to be consumed as luxuries higher
than the necessaries of life and the
materials, implements and machinery
consumed or used in producing, man.
ufacturing and transportation.
80. If Congress should deem it i'm
practicable to modify the present tar
if, and at the same time abolish the
internal revenue taxes, as the less of
the two evils, we prefer the retention
of the former and the abolition of the
latter"
On the 18th june, 1884, the Dem
ocratic party, in open conyentian as
sembled at Raleigh, formally
sResolued, That we are in favor of
the unconditional and immediate abol
ition OF the whole internal revenue
system as an intolerable burden, a
standing menace to freedom of cleo
tons. and source of great annoyance
and corruption in its practical opera
ton
On the 18th january. 1885. the