The morning news., 1889-03-03

never been held to call for return
of taxes actually collected. The deficiency in
the collection of this tax is found almost en-
tirely in the insurrectionary states while the
quotas apportioned to other states were, as
general rule, fully paid, and three fourt or
| four-htths OF the money which It is proposed In
this bill to return would be paid into the treas
uries of loyal states. But no valid reason for
such payment is found in the fact that the gov
ernment at first could not, and afterward for
hreaSonS probably perfectly valid did not en-
7 force the collection in other states.
OTHER UNPAID FEDERAL TAXES.
There were many federal taxes which were
not paid by the people in the rebellious states;
and if non-payment by them of this direct tax
entities other states to donation Of Share of
said taxes paid by their citizens why should
not the income tax and many other internal
taxes paid entirely by the citizens of the loyal
states be also paid into the treasures of these
statesY Considerations which recognize sec
tional divisions, or the loyalty of the different
states at the time this tax was laid should not
enter into the discussion of the merits Of this
measure
sums of money promised them by this bill. be-
cause they were loyal and other states
were not, nor should the states which re
belled against the government be paid the
smaller sum promised them. because they were
in rebellion and thus prevented the collection
of their entire quotas, nor because this conces
sion to them is necessary to justify proposed
larger gifts to other states.
The people OF the loyal states paid this direct
tax as they bore other burdens in support of
the government, and | believe the taxpayers
themselves are content. In the light Of these
considerations, am opposed to the payment
of money from the federal treasury to enrich
treasures of states Their funds should be
furnished by their own citizens, and thus should
be fostered the taxpayers watehfulness of state
expenditures and the taxpayers jealous insist
ence upon the strict accountability of state on
cials These elements Of purity and strength
in the state are nor safely exchanged for
the threatened Generalization and careessness
attending the custody and management of large
gifts from the federal treasury The banetul
effect of the surplus in the treasury Of the gen
era government is daily seen and felt. | no not
think. however that this surplus should be re-
duced, or its contagion spread thoroughOut the
states by methods such as are provided in this
bill
UNFAIR AND DISCRIMINATING
There is still another objection to the bill
arising from what seems to me its upsairness
and unjust discrimination. In the caselof pro
posed legislation OF at least doubtful dpnstitu-
tionality and based upon no legal right the
equities which recommend it should always be
definite and clear. The money appropriated by
| governors OF the respective states
and territories in which it was collected
whether the same was derived through said
| states or territories or directly from any cti
zen or inhabitants thereof, and other persons
| thereof and it is further provided that such
| sums as were collected in the payment of this
federal tax through the instrumentalityo Of state
or local officials and accounted for to the general
| government uy such states and territories, are
| to be paid Internationally to their govyTno s.,
while the sums collected in payment pf said
tax by the United States, or in other wokds by
the federal machinery created for that purpose,
are to be held in trust by said states or terri
tories for the benefit of those paying the same
CAN'T BE DEFENDED.
am unable to understand how this dscrim-
nation in favor of those who have made pay
ment of this tax directly to officers Of the
federal government, and against those who
made such payments through state or territorial
agencies, can be defended upon fair and equt-
ment in every case which exacted
this tax from its citizens and the people in
the different states and territories; and to pro
vide for reimbursement to part OF its citizens
by the creation of a trust for their benefit.
while the money exacted in the payment of this
tax from far greater number is paid uncondi-
tionaly into the state and territorial treasures.
is an unjust and unfair proceeding in which the
government should not be implicated.
TOO GREAT A RISK
1t will hardly do to say that the states and
territories who are the recipients Of these lar o
gifts may be trusted to do justice to their citi-
zens who originally paid the money. This can
not be relied upon nor should the government
lose sight of the equality OF which it boasts, and
having entered upon plan Of reimbursement
abandon to other agencies the duty of Just dis
trtDuJlOn. anu LuuS incur Lne rlsk OF becoming
accessory to actual inequality and in
justice. II in defense of the plan proposed
it is claimed that exact equality cannot
be reached in the premises this may be readily
conceded. The money raised by this direct tax
was collected and expended twenty seven years
ago. Nearly generation has passed away
since that time. Even il the distribution
should be attempted by the states and terri
tories, as well as by the government, the tax
payers in many cases are neither alive nor rep
resented, and in many other cases If alive they
cannot be found. Fraudulent claims would
often outrun honest applications, and innumer-
able and bitter contests would arise between
claimants.
ANOTHER DIFFICULTY.
Another difficulty in the way Of doing perfect
justice in the operation of this plan OF REIN
bursement is found in the fact that the money
to be appropriated therefor was contributed to
the federal treasury for entirely different pur-
poses, by a generation many Of whom were not
born when the direct tax was levied and paid,
who have no relation to sa d tax, and
cannot share In its distribution. While
they stand by and see the money they have been
Obliged to pay Into tue public treasury profess
edly to meet present necessities, exp snded to
reimburse taxation long ago fairly, legally aud
justly collected from others. they cannot fail
TO see the unfairness Of tn. transaction.
NEED OF TARIFF LEGISLATION.
The existence Of a surplus in the treasury is
no answer to these objections. 10 is still the
peoples money, and better use can be found for
II than the distributor Of it upon the plea Of
reimbursement OF ancient taxation. A more.
desirable plan to reduce a ald prevent the recur-
renee Of a large surplus can easily be adopted
one that instead Of creating injustice and in
equality, promotes justice and equality by leav-
Ing in the hands OF the peo-
pie, and for their use the money
not needed by the government ITO pay debts
and provide for the common defense and gen
eral welfare Of the United StGtes.' The dim.
cultes in the way Of making just reimburse
ment Of this direct tax instead Of excusing the
imperfection Of the bill under consideration
furnish reasons why the scheme 1t proposes
should not be entered upon.
/ am constrained upon the considerations
herein presented 10 withhold my assent from
the bill herewi h returned, because ! believe ID
70 be without constitutional warrant. b cause
am Of the opinion that there exists no ADEQUATE
Of the money in said bill mentioned, and be-
cause believe It's execution would cause actual
injustice aud unfairness
PASSED OVER THE VETO.
When the Senate met in evening session
the Presidents veto Of the direct tax bill
was presented aud read, aud Presiding
Officer ingalls, put the question "Shall the
bill be passed the objections Of the Presi-
dent to the contrary Notwithstanding r
After brief speeches, noue Of which went
taken and the bill was passed by tho neces-
sary two-thirds majority over the Presi-
dents veto, the vote being: Yeas a., nays 9.
Tue negative votes were given BY Messrs.
Blair, Call, Coke, Eimunds, Jones OF Ar
kansas, Pasco, Re gan, salisbury and Vest.
Maj. Lydecker TO be Court Martaled.
WAsHIEGToN, March 2-The Secretary
pf w fa-da > ..rtIa~ad a rn4rt runrffal 90.