The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-03-27
THE REVENUE BILL DEBATED.
ANIMATED DISCUSSION ON THE ACT
PREPARED BY THE COMMISSION.

There were several little episodes to
brighten the routine dullness of the
House on Tuesday. One was the
brief but acrid furry over the Grangers
tax bill. 1t was anticipated that
more vigorous fight than was develop
ed would be waged over the bill on
third reading and final passage in the
House. Mr.. Wherry appeared as the
special champion of the tax-all bill
among the Democrats, and Farmer
Taggart among the Grangers and Re
publicans.
Mr.. Wherry said that the bill was
the result of the very best thought that
could be given to this subject of taxa
ton. Every interest had been repres-
ented on the commission which draft
ed it, and yet those most interested in
the present bill were fain to confess
that it was far from perfect. The ex-
isting system of taxation was the result
of fifty years development, and this
new bill went farther and promised to
do better than the old bill.
Representative Stewart hoped the
bill would not pass. He said: at is
most iniqultous and inqusitorial
measure and deserves to be defeated"
Mr.. Stewart then read from the min
ority report presented by Mr.. Wright.
one of the Tax Commission, in which
he denounced certain portions of the
majority report in very vigorous Ian
guage.
To hear the measure of which he
was the sponsor thus berated, called
Farmer Tagggart to his feet, and the
next insrant he was driving
the hay wagon of rustic eloquence
over his opposers. The report which
Representative Stewart had read from,
he said, had reference to the income
tax, which had been abolished. Mr.
Wright, he further said that notwith.
standing that the income tax had been
abolished he held in his hand letter
from gentleman in Western Pennsy-
lvania whose income was perhaps
$aoo, 900 year and who objects to
the removal of the income tax.
Although coming from an agricult-
ural county, Representative Finley
lifted up his voice against the measure
although he subsequently voted for it.
81 have grave doubts that this bill will
accomplish what it proposes to do,
and that is to reduce the tax on real
estate at the expense Of other prop
erty."
MI. Finley sent to the desk and had
read an article in current magazine
from the pen of Professor Seligman,
in which the bill is roundly condemn
ed.
Mr.. Ritter, of Philadelphia, asked to
be permitted to enter his protest
against the bill He averred that the
bill was Of such character that even
the men who framed it and the men
who indorsed it on the floor of the
House did not kno wwhat it contain
ed.
Mr.. Taggart Does the gentleman
understand the tax law Of 1880.
Mr.. approximately, and in
return will the gentleman from Mont
gomery tell me if he understands this
bill which he has introducede
Mr.. Taggart-No, don't, and I
don't think that anybody else does or
will until the Supreme Court has pass
ed on it.
"No words, MIR. Speaker" exclaim-
ed Mr.. Ritter, dramatically shaking
his quivering right hand above his
head as he turned on the farmer
Statesman, $50 utterly condemns
this bill as this confession of its author
and endorser," and then he sat down.
Mr.. Coray here started in on bit
of missionary work among the Phila-
delphia delegation. 81 have only a
faint hope Of converting them," he
confessed. "The gentleman who has
just spoken standing upon his feet"
Mr. Ritter, excitedly and emphatic
ally, 81 beg the gentleman's pardon,
but so far as this bill goes l am stand
ing on my head.
swell, just as he pleases," respond
ed Mr.. Coray, "but he and all the
others from Philadelphia say they
want to equalize taxation and how ?
They fought to have the tax on build
ing and loan associations eliminated,
which was done; they fought to have
the tax on all kinds Of bank deposits
stricken out, they wanted the income
tax taken out, in the interests of their
commission merchants they sought to
relieve their consignments from the
imposition of a tax; they strove to
aid music dealers in having music in
struments exempted; in behalf of
their manufacturers they asked that
machinery be excepted. About the
only class of people ignored by the
Philadelphia delegation were the real
estate holders. want to say that if
the real estate owners of PhiladelDhia