The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-24
DOUBTS ABOUT INCOME TAX.
IL Is Believed that It will be Dropped from
the Tariff BIZ.

The Washington correspondent Of the
New York Herald sends this special 10
his paper;
Three weeks debate In the Senate on
the Wilson bill mas proved rothing so
much as the fact that the income tax
part OF that measure must be torn our
root and branch before the bill car pass
the Senate. During that time two Demo
Gratis have utterly repudiated the attempt
IA congtrle the Chicago platform as
demand for this infamous system or
taxation and many Democrats who be-
Ling 70 the old school of Democracy have
endorsed the sentiments uttered by Sena-
tors Hill and Smith
The speeches Of these two senators have
not carried into the camp of the men in
charge Of this bill any more alarm than
other things they have heard which nave
not been spoken in debate. The last week
was prolific i'm Democratic conferences
and efforts to get together.
4 conference held I'm the private room
OF the Committee on Approx riations yes
terday sounded the death knell OF the
income tax. 1t was attended by Senators
German, Smith, Brice and Murphy. AT
times other senators dropped IN ana MI
Hill, who was not in the city. Is SAID 10
have been represented.
offers have been made 10 the men
opposing the income tax to amend II as
mnch az possible. and they have been
pleaded with and urged to support 1t on
The ground that the great mass Of the
marty demanded it. and for the Senate TO
strike il out Of the bill after the House
had PASSED It would cause disruption
In the party from which it could not re-
cover in years
These senators steadfastly refused any
con,nr,mise and denounced the tax as
wrong in principle and perniclous In
nractice: a measure so Infamous that IL
could not be compromised. 1t Is said Mr.
Smith told senators in language that
could not be misunderstood that the bill
could not get his vote with the income
tax in it in any shape, and gentleman
spoke for Mr.. Hill to the same effect.
Mr. German, who is opposed TO the tax,
proyed very conservative in his talk,
being. / am Informed, inclined to do ms
fighting against the measure behind some
one else. While he was not so outspoken
as others present, my informant was led
TO believe he would antagonize from iirst
TO last the incorporation of this tax
In the bill. IL il should remain, however,
IL Is not believed that either Mr.. Brice
or Mr.. German would vote against the
whole tariff bill.
So far as Messrs. HILL Murphy and
Smith are concerned the reverse Is be-
lieved to be true. for these senators are
convinced their constituents would en-
dorse them in going to any length 20
defeat this inquisitoriai Populist rider on
the tariff bill.
They will hardly be called upon, how
eyer. to apply such an heroic remedy.
The southern senators see the danger
that confronts them and are hesftating
about assuming the responsibility for
failure TO revise the tarin.
A conference OF these men was held
fin the Finance Committeeman a day or
two ago. when the whole subject was
carefully canvassed. The effect or that
conference Is noticeable In the subsfitu-
ton of an air Of confidence on the part
of Messrss Voorhees,, Vest. Harris and
Jones for the languor and hopelessness
that enveloped them when the third week
of debate began. These gentlemen now
talk confidently OF being able 10 pass the
bill whenever they see fit TO force the
voting.
This Is due to the fact that they know
the income tax must be abandoned at the
proper time. None Of these gentlemen
now discuss that proposition In the
boastlng manner assumed before the
speeches OF Mr.. Hill and Mr. Smith were
delivered The dawn of a better day
present week IL over the initial movement
In the direction Of removing this tax from
the tariff bill will have been begun