The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-02
ATTACKS THE TARIFF BILL.
JUDGE HOLMAN OPPOSED TO CON-
TINUINS THE SUGAR BoUNTE.

cipiss-Ths wsy 60 Meet the Threeteue1
Deneieney r. TO Reduce Expenditure.-H.
FHvors a. Ineons Tax In Preferences 10
decreasing the TAG on whi.ksy and Beer.
WARRINGTON. Dec. 1.-The Ways and Means
Committee have not as yet agreed upon the
internal revenue sections OF the Tariff bill.
They have deficiency Of something like $780,
oO0OOO TO meet but Just how to meet II Ia
what troubles them. The income tax PROPOSE
tion still seems to a maiorty Of the committee
to be the most feasible plan. but the party
leaders hesitate to adopt It. They shrink
also from increasing the tax on beer
whisky. and tobacco. and altogether
they find themselves sadly embarrassed
at the outset OF their task as tariff reformers
and advisera That the Wilson bill Is unpopu-
lar with the rank and Gle OF the Democratic
party both in the Senate and House there
seems to be no doubt The last Democrat to
attack II publicly. although scores do SO under
the assurance that their names will not be pub
nshed. Is that veteran legislator. Judge Hol-
man OF Indiana. He 10 out in long interview
to-day. In which he comments. In his char
acteristlcslly vigorous style. on the general
subjects Of tariff revision. the raising Of reve-
nue.. and the curtailment Of public expendi-
lures. Relative to the proposition OF the Will
son bill to continue the life OF the Mckinley
sugar bountios for eight ysnrs. Judge Holman
saysi
Il do not believe the Democrats Of the coun-
try will consent to this. There has never yet.
in The whole history OF the Democratic party,
been time when that party was not at war
with hounties and subsidies. Those modes OF
promoting special interests and industries
and private ENTERPRISES are In sharper antag-
onlsm with the Democratic principles than
any other ideas OF government that can
be expressed. The equal rights OF men
and their equal protection by the Government
In the struggle OF life are Democratic prin-
ciples. and the Democratic masses OF this
country will not submit to subsidies and
bounties to create or enlarge the wealth OF
favored citizens at the expense OF the indus
tries Of the whole people. I sincerely hope
that tho Committee on Ways and Means will
not misapprehend the spirit OF the Democratic
party In regard to subsidies and bounties."
Continuing. Judge Holman said: III the
present Democratic Congress. which is now
wholly responsible for the expenditures OF the
Government would go earnestly to work. IL
would find no difficulty in reducing the ex-
pendtures Of the Government so that the
present rate OF internal revenue and proposed
reduction OF tarin taxation would furnish
ample means to support the Govern ment and
meet the requirements OF the sinking fund.
We cannot with honor abandon the sinking
fund. II was not intended as a guarantee to
the holders OF public securities. but o solemn
engagement OF Congress to the people
that the public debt should not be per-
manent but should be extinguished on
tho reasonable basis provided by tho act OF
1852, under which the debt would be paid Of
within reasonable period OF time. Exemp-
tion from debt Is one OF the guarantees OF
frugal government. and frugal government is
the only guarantee we have OF tho perpetua-
tlon OF our free institutions. My belief Is that
reduction Of tariff taxation to a revenue basis
is not only demanded by the great majority OF
our people. but absolutely required and neces-
sary to enforce upon Congress reduction OF
public expenditures The measure OF our ex-
penditures will depend upon our revenues. l
wish to see the revenues sharply reduced. and
] believe tho Democratic Congress will meet
this emergency. not by bonds or increased
taxation. but By II reduction OF the expendi-
lures OF the Government. A reduction OF these
expenditures, instead OF weakening tho Gov
eminent will give 1t strength by purifying the
Administration and its affairs In tho Forty
fourth Congress the current ex penses OF the
Government were reduced more than S84.-
100000. No public interest suffered: on the
contrary, It strengthened and purified all tho
departments OF Government striking down
mercenary motives"
Relative to tho necessity for raising money
10 meet the Treasury deficit and the methods
By which 1t can be accomplished Judge Hol-
man said:
There are practically three modes by
which the deficit could be made up: BY issu-
ing bonds. and thus increasing the pu bile debt:
by an income tax. which would realize from |
$5o.oo0O0O to s75.O00O00, or by a reduction |
Of expenditures. In regard to the bond issue. |
yivs a material enlargement Of the pub
lie debt IN time Of peace. ] hope that
time. for / am confident that the great |
masses Of our people believe that the embsr-
10 insu nicient revenues. but to an indefenslble
and lavish expenditure OF public money. II |
up to their present rate. l think the increased
revenue required should be provided by an
OF raising revenue The burden falls upon
persons most able to bear II. It falls exclu-
pr%s Of Ire IL Is al 1Ss
that our taxes are mostly raised on the labor
Of the eonn Try and no. on the great estates
late years and that. too mainly through favor
the rights OF property, The owners OF ample
estates cannot com plain. Very ample revenues
serimping the homes OF our people. The act
Only a:oms es S %dC ms sSH we eSSd
S %s s0f high to a. '5 s9So ss sG5 aSa
snuss would be ample. Many persons favor
one rate on all estates. think the larger
tno not lucOluc Ol clllLtn may DO tue larger |
rate OF taxation should be imposed. An In
crease OF the tax on spirits would be most
satisfactory Think. tn our people generally,
II II was not that unless the tax was i'm posed
on the stocks on hand but little revenue
would be derived by tho increase for some
time to come. II 1t was not Imposed on
the stocks -, on hand In the nonded
benefit what Is known as the Mhiskey Trust
without any present benefit to the revenues.
IL a tax was imposed on the stocks in bond
m ost OF the whisky would be taken out OF the
bonded warehouses before tho law would take
effect. The tax OF 80 cents gallon has opsr-
ated very well, and our experience with a |
higher tax was very unfoTtunate resulting Ia |
the most widespread system Of fraud ever
known TO the country. | think Congress
should hesitate to increase that tax In |
time OF peace. The present tax on beer
and domestic tobacco are fairly reasonable |
Both OF these articles are very largely used by
the masses OF our people, Il they are TO 10
as luXuries, and ! think they should
not he so classified. being articles OF almost
universal use. they are about the only luXuTies
the lAboTlng people OF our country nave. 90
not think that the condition OF our Affairs
would Justify an INCREASED taxation on either"
Nuva Mama mmitle0 mot this |