Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-10
THE DIRECT TAX.
REPRESENTATIVE OATES STATES WHY
THE BILL Is OPPOSED.
A Measure Of Republican Origin to Dsplete
the Treasury-Denies the Power Of
Congress to Distribute the
Surplus, &C., 30.

WASHINGTON, April 9.-Mr. Oates,
who has taken leading part in the fight
against the direct tax bill, makes the
following statement Of the reasons which
influence the opponents Of the bill in
their conduct in opposing its considera-
ton:
First. The action OF the Committee on Rules
on Monday last In presenting 10 the House reso-
lutions assigning days for tho consideration OF
bills reported from committees In which Is re-
considered and disposed Of before any other
measure reported by the judiciary Committee
should receive consideration was unprecedented.
In no other instance was such action ever taken
by the Committee on Rules. and while do not
like 20 question Tho motive Of any one. yet this
action was 80 extraordinary "a 10 induce
the belief 10 the minds Of many persons
opposed 10 the bill that there was nxed pur-
ness with n View 20 forcing its passage. The bill
IA Of Republican origin and ia believed 10 be the
pioneer OF mnny others constituting a scheme TO
revive old war claims and thereby deplete tho
Treasury OF It's surplus and 70 diminish pro
tGnto the force Of the otherwise unaRswerable
argument that the surplus presents in favor OF
n reduction Of tariff duties and other war taxes
which are at this time 80 unnecessarily burden
some 10 the people and detrimental 10 the gene
raj welfare.
second. We deny that Congress has any
power or right 70 appropriate money from the
Treasury for distribution among the States and
Territories. Such thing has never been GoHe,
aud there Is no precedent for II IN the whole
history Of congressional legislation. The only
time II was ever attempted w8s in 1896. and Il
was then abandoned as unconstitutional and rs
course had 20 the loan act Of that date.
Third Tbs passage Of this bill 10 tantamount
20 q legislative declaration that there IA no limit
or Constitution Inhibition on Congress in the
matter OF tho appropriation Of public money;
that tho power Of Congress Is unlimited and dis
cretionary. It would be usurpaiion tending
70 sap the foundation Of the republic and viola
tive Of the fundamental principles OF tile Demo-
cratic party.
Fourth II Congress had tho right which tho
advocates OF the bill assert, 10 reimburse and
pay the States and people money lawfully col
lecied IN the way Of Legislation, II necessarily
implies TIE right 10 lay and collect taxes in
either Of tho forms sferrsd by the Constitution
for the purpose Of ratsing money with which %
MAKE such Reimbursement or repEyment-a doc
trlne both absurd and dangerous
Fifth. Tie bill is neieher equitable nor just TO
those vine actually paid out taxes, because 1t
provides for the distr outioB Of money 10 States
and Territories eeu9l 70 the whole amount Of
collection in each. regardless OF The shifting OF
population during the last tventy-seven years.
Sixth. This bill has provoked an sgitatisDin IA
vor OF refunding the cotton TAX, but no bill has
been brought forward and pressed for that pur-
pose gave notice (Which do not r0calD that II
this bill Il % be passed will at the proper time
offer that nmsndBOnt. We could 0t any time
since the consideration Of this bill began
have allowed 1t 10 proceed TO a point in Commit
tee OF the Whole when We might have offered
any amendment we saw proper: but our oppo-
eition 20 the bill IL such that no amendment
which can he adopted, oxceptit be TO strike out
the ensctipE clause, can mako II acceptable 10
us. This bill is not before the house &C
cordiDg 10 It's rules aud in the usual
course ct procedure. Il has net been reached
In It's order ON the calendar, but has 10y an I'M
usual report from tbs Committee on Rules been
placed before all ether business and held there
10 the exclusion Of al other business. In mat
ter involving SUCH vital principles Of constitu-
tional government as this bin involves, and in
which the people are tenfold more deeply inter
ested thsn i'm the distribution among the States
OF any amount Ct money from tue Federal Trea-
sury we faol that II is our duty, though In the
minority 70 resort 70 every legislative means
which the House allows.