Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-19
One of the Ways for Democrats to
Fill the Depleted Treasury.
TOM JOHNSON is IN FAVOR OF 1T.
That Coming Falling eff in Receipts of
Customs Frightens
THE PARTY so SOON TO BE IN POWER
rrRoN A STAFF CORRESPONDENT,

the stories of the alarmists, though the
dilemma in which the Democrats lind them
selves will remain serious enough to be
subject of lively speculation until that
party shall come into absolute power and
its policy is shaped and known.
The figures that have been given out as
exhibiting the probabilities in regard to the
condition of the Treasury, if the policy
that has been continually advocated In
Congress is carried out, are pronounced
misleading not only by Democratic but by
Republican Congressman, for the reason
that none of them seem to think that that
policy will be made good by any sudden
process. and not at all if, in their new posi-.
tion of responsibility, the Democrats shall
be convinced that changes they have for
merly advocated will seriously disturb the
business interests of the country.
Some of the Bills to Be Passed.
For instance, it is assumed by the arith-
meticians that the Democrats when they
come into power will at once proceed to, at
the very least, pass all OF the little tarin
bills, in connection with the general bill,
that were passed by the House at the first
session of the present Congress. This would
reduce the revenues to the extent OF about
$34, 600 900 annually on binding twine, cotton
ufactures, tin plate and articles OF lesser
importance-a sum which could hardly be
made up from any other source in the line
OF import duties
portant articles will be treated in the gen.
eral bill as they were at the last session.
That was for campaign use only. The little
bills were worked for all they were worth,
and in the light of the result of the elections
they we're worth a good deal. But The DIS
PATCH correspondent is assured by some Of
loud
port of those bills that their advocacy OF
such propositions in the future will depend
entirely on the circumstances that will arise
under the new order OF things and upon the
necessities of the Treasury.
The Mckinley Bill Does Now.
One of these ssgacIous gentlemen assured
The DISPATCH correspondent today that
there would be no trouble in convincing
the country that they were not tho less
honest and sincere in their professions OF
reform IL they should be compelled to let
the Mckinley bill stand practically as it is
for some time to come after their possession
of power began, as they could claim that
changes that were entirely good and advisa-
Bile in theory would have to be postponed
on account of the extravagant policy of the
Republicans, which would make enormous
expenditures absolutely necessary for years
to come.
The fact is, the changes that were wrought
in the whole tariff business by the McKin-
ley Dill Will renQer imperative mOQ1nca-
tion of the methods of tariff revision of the
Democrats. The Mills bill cannot be ac-
cepted as criterion from which to guess at
the probable action of the next Congress,
for, beside other minor matters, it contem-
plated but slight reduction of the duty on
sugars below the tariff bill of 1888. 1t is ad-
mitted that as matters look now it will be
impossible or the Democrats to restore the
duties on sugar, as the removal OF them by
the Mckinley bill has given sugar to the
people at prices from 80 to 100 per cent be-
tariff. and the opposition which would lie
excited by resumption of this tax on an
article SO important to every household in
the land would be fatal to the party.
Expenses That Must Be Met.
Every day the Democratic leaders who
are here seem to recognize more ana more
that the question Of a reformed tariff and
OF cheapening the cost of living to the
masses of the people, which has been SO
constantly harped upon, is being wholly
submerged Dy the question of what can be
done to meet the expenses of the Govern
ment to meet all obligations without Dor
rowing money upon new issue of bonds
The amount that is to be paid can be figured
down to dollar. How to get the money to
pay 1t is the question.
Hon. Tom johnson, that young, interest
ing and progressive member of the House
from the Cleveland district, would meet the
difficulty by cutting the tariff down to the
lowest feasible notch, and by the imposition
of an income tax. When l suggested to him
to-day that none of the war measures were
more bitterly objected to than was the in
come tax, and that the party which would
now impose such d tax would be booked for
sud den doom, he insisted that the condi-
tions were now wholly different from those
prevailing curing the war; that the number
which would not be affected by such a tax
now would be far larger in proportion to the
population than during the war; that the in
comes of the few were vastly larger and
that nothing would prove more popular as
a msre political movement than the taxing
OF all incomes, say above 81 900 per annum,
ana in accordance to the size or the income.
One Way to Catch the Wealthy.
Such plan, says Mr.. johnson, would catch
the rich who now evade, to a great extent
in one way or another, their share of their
obligations to support the Government
largely through the operation of the tariff
He would not want a stronger issue on which
TO go to the country.
Leaving this out of the question, Mr. John
son believes that a prompt revision of the |
tariff, judiciously accomplished, would re- |
suit in an Immediate in crease of the receipts |
from that source, nd he therefore advocates |
the calling of All extra session OF Congress
al once for the 4th of March, that the effects |
of the falling off that is sure to result from
q continued doubt as to the Democratic |
policy may be avoided. That Mr.. Johnson's |
scheme for the imposition of an income tax |
has the support of many congressman can
not be doubted, and this may be lively is |
sue in the next Congress.
Many of the Republicans, in view of the |
discussion that has been excited over the |
possible decrease in the revenues without
possible corresponding decrease in the ex-
penditures, have shown an inclination to |
argue tnat 1t is fortunate rather than other
wise that the settlement OF the trouble is |
lett to the Democrats, as it was sure to de- |
feat at the end of four years, any party
forced to assume the responsibility. Cen
eral Harry Bingham, the brilliant and expe-
rienced member of the House from the first |
district in Philadelphia, is not one of that |
kind.
No Comparison to Be Made.
There is no comparison" said he to the |
correspondent of THE DISPATCH to-day, 'be-
tween the task that would have faced the |
Republicans and that which is now making |
the Democrats tremble in their Shoes Had /
the Republicans been successful the admin
istration would nave been conducted on the |
lines laid down for long years and empha-
sized by the action of the Fiftieth Congress
There would have been no disturbance of |
the revenues. We reshaped the whole
tariff, in the passage of the Mckinley bill. |
without panic and with benefit to all The
revenues increased. With the increase ex-
hibited Up to the time of elections the Treas
ury would have been BILE to meet all of its
kent the expenditures easily within the rs-
ceipts and the industrial interests of the
country would have gone on in their pros |
nervous way without more than usual ripples
of trouble due to inevitable strikes and to
hot domestic competition.
1.-THE success OF the Democrats has left the
tariff policy of the country in doubt, and
there will be q possibly large decrease of
and consequently of revenue
ON that account. But look for no serious
Of business interests. The
Democrats will not call an extra session,
ntn,- s-ill keen 0uief DOsSible on the sinh /