Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-18


divergent minority of the democratic men,
bsrs. Thus many CT the most important
questions may have been determined by the
smallest fraction of three or four of a COM
mittee of eleven; but while the process of
evolution was a great novelty, It will not
be controverted that all the rates of duty
are of the purest democratic origin. Tariff
for revenue Only proves to be only politi-
cal tariffs, valid only until after the next
election"
HAquoted some of the severe terms used
by Chairman Voorhees, of the finance COM
mit&ee to characterize American manufac-
turers, and expressed his surprise that they
should come from SO good-hearted a man,
whom he likered to Uncle Toby. After
all, the jurors of the country, so far as re-
Gently heard from. do not seem in a mood
to consign all American manufacturers as
criminals. robbers and monsters to the pen
itentiary. nor even to permit any reasonable
protective tariff TO long remain in a demo-
cratic purgatory. The increase of our man
ufacturing products from 5000. .OOO, 600 In
1880 to s9.O00,OO0.0O0 in 1890 eclipses any
progressive growth OF this or any other
country in all the worlds history"
Evils of the Bill.
In contrast to the prosperity under the
republican regime he contrasted the de-
preston that ensued with the threatened
| tariff bill like Milton's
''Tawny Lion. paving to get free
His hinder parts"
sidered the special evils of the bill, the first
being the obsolete ad valorem system. The
purpose of the BILL he thought was es-
pecially destructive toward the production
of the farmer the wool industry being at
tackled. Reciprocity arrangements which
benefit the farmer are TO be abrogated He
refuted the assertion that customs duties
are always paid by the consumers and
cited ,rket prices to prove his conten-
tion. i..e income tax he called an unusual
blunder for even democratic administra-
ton to ma se.
THE charge Of excess of revenue lately
iterated against protection is already aban-
doned by the party whose dominance IL is
expected will cease March 4, 1895, but which
is now on a wild income hunt for revenue
| to fill the vacuum to be created by a demo-
cratic tariff
The Senator stated in some detail his OBJ
1ections to the income tax. He said: AN
income tax like the one here proposed
which nxeS the tax at one rate in its appli-
cation to all persons, Is manifesty unjust
| That derived from rent of houses always
needing annual repairs, should be less than
that on land; that derived from labor less
than that upon real property; that from
silver mines less than that from more stable
coal mines; and that from professional
men, wholly dependent upon their health,
less than upon brewers and distillers. To
make things equal some discr' -.nation
must be made"
| As 10 the Income Tax.
| The income tax. he said, was one Of the
notable grievances of the late war, and yet
1t was sought by the democrats to perpet-
uate 1t. Our country is dotted all over
| with institutions essential to the general
welfare, where the capital is not mainly
made up by the rich. but largely contribut-
| ed by those in moderate OF humble circum-
| stances, to aid local prosperity. and who
| are anxious to have some little savings
| treasured up to meet old age and all yicis-
situdes of human life. But this democra tic
tax hold
helpless parties and snatches its grim and
paltry tribute. II a poor widow, whose
| husband has left her an income of $500 in
lne stock of some bank. should be absurdly
told by an income crank that this is a tax
| upon the corporation and no tax upon her
will she believe it? No, but she might
warn him to beware of the fate of the an
| cient liar, Ananias."
| He attacked the provision for protect,op
of large incomes from injustice inclu,iine
Senators and Representatives while smaller
incomes were thus left open to the tax
gatherer
ure of many important objects of taxation
upon which the several state governments
have hitherto been largely dependent for a
considerable part. in some states for the
whole OF their annual support. will prove a
serious invasion of the sources upon which
they now largely base their taxation Near
| ly every state imposes tax upon the real
| estate and personal property of its citizens
banks, mills and factories, and their coal
iron, copper, gold and silver mines, their
stone, slate and marble companies, their
debts and bonds due and collectible All
these sources and all corporations which
yield dividends or interest are now to be
squeezed and stripped, first by the national
government, and then be subjected to a sec
ond stripping by the states
Wrong 10 Small Stockholders,
Personally, my income tax under this
bill would be so light that 1 should be
ashamed to grumble about the tax At my
time of life it cannot hurt me much nor
very long. and above all others the men,
bers of Congress imposing this tax should
not escape from it.
| Nor does the very small number in the
state have the honor in part to represent
who may be taxed on incomes of $4,000 or
more, excite my solicitude. But the great
| wrong to which / would call attention is
that of the numerous small stockholders of
every business corporation that ever earns
dividend, who are to be subjected to an
| income tax of their whole personal income
| or means Of support. A no less serious OBJ
! fe hof