The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-13
IT'S PASSED.
The Direct Tax Bill Goes Through.
The Measure Is Adopted by a Very
Large Majority.
Mr.. Oates and the Southerners
Make Noble Fight,
But 1t Wins Notwithstanding the
Injustice of 1t.
Mr.. Washington Makes Good Uso Of
Five Minutes. in Which lie States
the Question with Its I'm
constitutlonality.
sncelnl pIsnnlch 10 The Anlcnl.


WASHINGTON, Dec. l2.--The direct tax
bill was passed in the House today 10y a
large majority. The Vote was taken at
4 O'Clock, and the preceding debate was of
an interesting and lively character. Col.
Oates, OF Alabama, the leader OF the small
band Of devoted Southerners who fought
the measure so stubborny last spring,
again led the fight today, and was ably
supported. His arguments had drawn
toward him several prominent Democrats,
including Messrs. Randall, Cummings,
Cox and others, who were formerly OPP
posed TO him, and whose votes today
helped TO lower the majority N
favor OF the bill. Every point
that could be made against the measure
was made and every effort was put forth
10 secure the repayment OF the cotton tax,
or at least to make the way open for its
refunding. But each amendment as il
was put was promptly vol cd down, and as
the bill finally passed II was unchanged.
Tennessee was well represented in the
debate. Mr. Washington made FIVE
minute speech, which was well received.
lie is fast talker and got in a good many
telling points in his limited time lie said.
"Nciiher in this debate nor elsew hero has
the constitutionality nor the legality Of
this direct tax been questioned. II was
legally laid and collected because the loyal
States paid their quotas when the South
ern States were beyond the control OF Con-
grcss did not pay their part, affords no
lawful excuse or right under the Constitu-
ton for reiunding any part Of this tax No
tax ever levied was paid in full or paid by
all. Would any State ever propose to re-
fund tax because some were delinquent?
To refund this tax is 10 give the States a
gratuity, 10 return To them money 10 which
they have no claim In Law or equity. The
gentleman from Ohio (Nir. TAYLOR says IL
Is question whether tie tax shall be re-
funded 10 the States who paid or whether
the States which did not ny shall bo made
10 pay the balance due rom them, with
interest for tweniy-scstn years. This
threN has no terrors for mo. You have
not Me power in this Congress nor will
YOU ever have la amy Congress the power
or tho votes 10 enforce the collection of
that balance. II was debt against the
real estate, with lien Tor two years.
The lien has eKpirtd. Tho law
enforcing II has been indefinitely
suspended. Il cannotbc revived and Ten
ncsso can never be- called upon TO pay the
-, ,03j which stands ON tho books of
the Treasury against her. You prefer 10
pay 10 the rich States OF the North millions
10 which they have no claim, at the same
time that you close the Treasury against
the man who lost his all by the war. You
turn your backs on tho schools and
churches, which were laid in ashes and
scattered 10 the winds, on tho plea that Ia
pay such claims would bankrupt
thc Treasury. tell you IL h
~ possible b. cqualizc tho bur.
dcns and losses Of the war ~ II would
bc ioi YOU by Congressional action 10 bring
back 10 life the thousands Of brave men
who fell in that struggle. Can you ever
rebuild the dwellings, barns aud lcnccs.
the cities which went up in the smoke that
marked the tracks OF cDntcuding armies?
Can you restore the wasted fortunes OF
those whose accunulaiiDns OF n cen
fury were wiped ont by the stroke
OF the pen which issued the emancipation
proclamation Can you roplcnsh the
treasures Of States bankrupicd by carpet.
bag governments? Tho Northern States
and their citizens sustained losses during
war, and yet you grew rirh. Tho Govern
mcnt spent millions In money aud issued
nearly billion In bonds among you 10
supply the armies, and We see today tho
wealth and prosperity which you fcapcd.
This fund should bo applied TO the oxtin.
guishmcnt Of the interest bearing debt
OF tho Government. II YOU wish 10
repay tax refund the 9jS,OO0,O00 col.
looted from raw cotton. The constitution
nlity Of that tax Is In doubt. and the duty
Of tho Government Ia b. repay any tax II.
legally taken from the people. II YOU
have doubts about the cunstitulionality VI
the cotton tax, then opon the courts aud
test aud settle the question forever"
Mr.. McMillin also spoke against the
passage Of the bill, aud the Tennessee
delegation was solid Ia is opposition.