Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-01-21
The Voice of Massachusetts,.
UNJUST TAXATION REPUDIATED IN 1890 AS
IN THE DAYS OF THE REVOLUTION.

UNJUST TAXATION REPUDIATED IN 1890 Al
IN THE DAYS OF THE REVOLUTION.
At the celebration of Jackson's Day in
Philadelphia, January 9th, Hon. John E.
Russell, of Massachusetts, said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN : The
greater part of the history of New England
is the record OF people devoted to liberty
and JEALOUS Of their rights, but am not
prepared, 10 the light of the political his
tory of this generation, to affirm the abso-
lutte Truth of the statement made in the
toast to which am called to respond, but
am glad can say the New England States
that were part of the thirteen that stood
out against the King ia the long strife for
for their independence, are to day true TO
the spirit of '76.
think you will agree with me that the
electors cf nearly all the States have this
gear done their duty in behalf of constitu-
tional liberty. They have clearly expressed
their opinion upon the management of the
House of Representatives. in which legisla
tion was expedited in order to fulfill pledges
made to men who had assisted the party in
power By contributing money to corrupt
the franchise.
In this management we had the direct
and simple methods of despotism, the un-
scrupulous action of power that cuts off dis
cussion, declares quorums, and whose laws,
instead of being the result of discussions
before the people, the ripened fruits of wise
delay, were the decree of party managers.
We had an experience of bold action to
which rules are no barriers, time honored
procedure a jest, and the organic law sore-
thing to be evaded by parliamentary trick.
cry. Despotism is for the prompt dis
patch of business, but republic, a gov
ernment not of men, but of laws, must
have it's tedious limitations, its broad quail
iicatiou of authority, under which not a
right of single member can be over
looked. The people have also protested
against new and unjust methods of taxa
tion. I regret that my friend Mckinley
has, like the daring youth that fred the
Ephesian dome, achieved an unenviable
fame and fxed his name to measure that
is discussed ali over the civilized world as
the folly Of the republic, and that has been |
repudiated by majority of more
voters than Mr.. Porter seems willing to |
No act of any Congress since 1869 has
ever worked revolution of such magni-
Jude. This bill, forced through the House
without even being read, and hundreds of
amendments unconsidered. has done more
10 break down the theory of protection than |
lave all che arguments that have been |
spoken or printed.
The effect of the tariff of 1916, with its
attendant prosperity, was to convert that
but it was the slow work of
1ears, and it was utterly undone by the
var which bred race before unknown OF
aud trust makers.
The Mckinley bill is new departure be-
;ause it declares policy to restrict COM
nerce and imposes taxes for the sake of
protection; it, in effect, transfers the highest
,Ower of government-the power to take
he property of citizen-to individual and
This is system of taxing
and Unlimited by enactment not
aid upon property but upon consumption,
IN inquisition which no absurdity can es-
ape and no power eyade.
Such a system is abh0rrent to all ideas of
ustice. New England history forbids ac-
LuiesceDce in this irresponsible form of tax
,athering. If we did not protest we would
'e unworthy of our ancestry.
1t IS, sir, worthy CT notice that this is the
lrst time Massachusetts has ever been car
led by the Democrats on a national issue:
has deep Significance; no local ques-
ions, no party divisions, no personal in
luence of any man caused the change. 1t
) the protest of the old Commonwealth
gsinst the usurpations of the Speaker and
be scandals of the administration, against
be force bill, the Mckinley tariff and the
7anton increase of public expenditure.