The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-04

NORTH VERNON, Ind, Aprll %
Especial The democratic congressional
convention held here today was grand
affair. Every county of the district was
fully represented. The Hon. Jason B.
Brown was nominated by reclamation.
His speech OF acceptance was the feature
of the day. 1t was full and comprehen-
sive analysis of the prominent issues OF
the day. His discussion of the tariff was
exceptionally strong and his discussion of
reciprocity and free sugar was far beyond
the expectation OF anyone and was loudly
applauded by the entire convention. On
the currency question he was unusual
ly strong, placing the demo-
cratic party on solid ground. lie
declared for the free coinage of both gold
and silver on terms of perfect equality,
and for legal tender paper money issued
by the government convertible into coin
IN sufficient quantities to answer the de-
mands OF the people Mr.. Browns speech
was a great plea IN favor OF labor and the
agricultural interests, and will have q
strong tendency to discourage third party
organizations. His strength has always
existed as it now does, with the laboring
and agricultural people, being unusually
strong in the farming districts. There
can be no doubt CT his election.
Mr.. Brown spoke as follows:
Mr. President AM GENTLEMEN OF TIE
CONvENuON-I am without words 10 fully
express my sincere feelings OF gratitude and
hankfuIness for the great honor you have
done me by again nominating me as the
democratic candidate for the Office of
representative in congress from this dis
trIct. For this manifestation of approval OF
my official conduct | will always hold the
democracy Of this district in grateful remem-
brance, and with renewed zeal and vigOr l will
put forth my best efforts TO aid our party-the
great party of the peoDle-in accomplishing
great victory az the coming election, victory
without which the dearest interests of the peo-
pie and the progress OF the whole country will
be impeded
The approaching canvass, and the issues in
vOlVed in il, are not new to the people OF this
country. The contest Is again 10 be waged by
the democratic party to secure equality and
Justice for all the people, and that the duties
and obligations OF government shall be borne
by all alike, and that the government. in the
exercise OF Its great powers and func-
tons, shall not intervene between differ
ent classes OF its citizens and their
different business industries and enterprises,
and favor one or more 10 the hinderauce and
injury Of others. One of the prime objects of
our constitution as expressed in its intro
duetory part is to establish justice" There
can be no justice IN q government whose laws
90 not treat all OF its citizens with perfect
equality and fairness
The TsrIf
The creates: burden that rests upon the peo-
pie of any government is the burden of taxa
ton. IL il a necessary burden, and when the
government imposes it on all alike, in proper
tIon to their ability to bear it, good citizen
will complain. The exercise of the taxing
power is from necessity arbitrary, and the only
method which can be employed in its ex-
ereise which will protect all the people from
injustice and wrong is TO require that
II De restricted strictly TO public purposes
and that the taxes-nO matter what the form of
taxation may be-derived thereirOm, shall be
applied solely to purposes OF good govern
ment. That the object and purpose of levying
and collecting taxes shall be confined strictly
TO governmental use, and not be combined
with purpose and desire to aid and assist pri-
vRte enterprises
Tina: such is the system Of taxation intended
by the founders OF our government, Is plainly
written in our constitution which provides:
The congress shall have power 10 lay and
collect taxes. duties, imposts and excuses to pay
the debts, and provide Tor the common defense
and general welfare of the United States"
The taxes so levied and collected are, by the
very words of the constitution. to pay the
debts, provide for the common defense and
general welfare of the United States not to
pay the debts, or provide for the common de-
Tense. or general welfare OF some of the citi-
Eens Of the United States.
Gen. Jackson said: Congress has no right
under the constitution 10 take money from the
people unless IT be required TO execute some
one OF the specific powers intrusted to the
government and If they raise more money
than is necessary for such purposes 1t is an
abuse OF the power Of taxation and unjust and
oppressive"
Hence it is that the power of taxation the
power 10 take from the citizen his moneys, j.
limited not only to purposes of government
but the amount TO be taken is restricted to
what the government actually needs.
Mr. Justice Miller not very long ago, in de-
livering an opinion of the supreme court of the
United States said:
TO lay with one hand the power of the gov
ernmen; on the property of the citizen and
with the other bestow il upon favored ind
viduals TO aid private enterprise and build M
private fortunes IS none the less robbery be
cause IL Is done under the forms Of law and ID
called taxation. This is not legislation il is e
cree under legislative form; nor is it taxation
beyond a cayii there can be no lawful taxation
which is not laid for public purposes"
Ii IS strange that party can exist in ouI
land who uses the federal taxing power not fol
public uses and public purposes, but for pri
vate gain aud peculation.
No sooner had the republican party come
into possession OF both branches of congress-
and the presidency than il entered upon q pre-
moditsted scheme 20 divert our tax laws from
being the means Of raising revenue for econOm
ical government purposes, and to use them as
means of gratifying the thirst of cormorant
for greed and gain. The taxing power of the
government in the hands OF the republican
party has been bsrtered for money 10 selfish
owners Of protected industries with which I,
corrupt the votes TO keep that party in power
The result is our laborng and producing PEG
pie have had the burden to carry until labO
and agricultural life are almost PROSTATE. Tn,
republican party, emboldened with its success
in the past, no longer seeks TO conceal its dis
honest purpose, but ii now boldly declares tina
IL levies and collects tariff taxes for prOtec
tons sake. Its platform of 1885. on which
President Harrison Was elected, expressly de
slaTed:
"We are uncompromisingly in favor of tn
American system OF protection. The protect
i've system must be maintained"
To maintain the protective system the Fifty
first congress, which convened Decembe
after the inauguration Of President Harrison
passed the Mckinley tariff law-the presen
tariff act-by which tariff taxes fixed At a.
average rate Of 60 per cent. There was n
need Of an increase of tariff taxes TO incrsas
ths revenue, for when the democratic admins
trstion on the preceding 4th OF March surren
dered the Affairs Of government TO It's r.
publican successor there was almost 500, 90
of surplus moneys In the public treasury who
had been accumulated under a reput