Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-08-01


The declaration of the North Carolina
Republican Representatives-elect that
they will vote for no man for Speaker
who does not favor an early repeal of
the internal revenue laws, naturally ex-
cites great interest among Democratic as
well as Republican leaders. OF the six
teen Southern Republicans in the House
three are from North Carolina, two from
Virginia, three from Tennessee, two
from Kentucky and one each from West
Virginia and Louisiana, which makes
twelve, or three-fourths of the total
number. The five members from Ten
nessee and Virginia are as much inter-
ested, for local reasons, in the repeal of
the internal taxes as those from North
Carolina, and may be expected to CO.
operate with the latter in an effort to
force the Republican caucus to declare
for abolition. Whether the others will |
unite with them in debating to the eau
Gus is uncertain. OF the earnestness of
these crusaders against internal taxes
there can be no doubt, and as five or
six votes subtracted from the Republican
column would leave that party without
a majority, it may be relied upon that
sufficient number of Southern members
will take advantage of this fact to force
an authoritative declaration from the
Republican caucus on the internal rev.
enue question.
The bold declarations of Representa-
tive Brewer ON this question are answered
by some of the party leaders and news
papers with the allegation that Brewer,
having voted for the Mills bill, is not in
accord with the sentiment of the Repnb-
licans of his district and state. This is
not true. Brewer was returned because
he voted for that measure, as the bill
struck blow at the hated internal rev.
enue system. Representative Nichols
voted against the Mills bill, and was de-
feated, and it was mainly for his vote on
that measure that he was not returned.
The Republican leaders should not de-
ceive themselves with the belief that
Brewer does not represent his people in
his expressed purpose to insist that the
power of that party in the House shall
be driven against the internal revenue
system. 1t is because he is confident
that his people are in full accord with
him that Brewer is so bold and persis-
tent. Representative Ewart, from the
| oil 1nnlnrac that hn will
vote for no man for Speaker who is not
pledged to the repeal of the internal rev.
enue system. In assuming this attitude,
these men are governed more by the un-
mistakeable sentiment of North Carolina
than by any feeling of their own.
That Brewer and Ewart represent
public opinion in North Carolina on this
| question is further established by the
tone of the newspapers of that state
Perhaps the leading Republican paper in
North Carolina is the North State, pub
lished at Greensboro, which is in
Brower's district. In the last issue of
that paper, discussing this question, it
says:
Our state is drained OF money through
the internal revenue laws. Our farmers
are impoverished. They have no money!
and not much credit. Hanging over us
| like a great pail is the obnoxious and
| oppressive internal revenue system.
Now, that the Republicans control both
branches of Congress, we must have it
repealed. Our party is pledged to it.
The Southern members of Congress
should proclaim that they will vote for
no man for Speaker who will not pledge
himself to form a Committee on Ways
and Means that will at once report bill
to repeal the internal revenue laws. Our
Southern members can dictate the orga-
nization of the next House of Represen-
tatives and its policy on the great ques-
tions affecting the Southern people, and
they will be arrant towards and boot
licks if they do not do it.