New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-23
THE DEMOCRATIC ROCT.

The income tax IS the vital point Of the en-.
fire revenue bill for most of the Democrats in
Congress That it Is not Democratic, that II
has never been favored by Democratic conyen-
tions or votes. that ii was savagcy denounced
Inv the Democratic party when II was imposed
rs necessity during the War, and by leaders
~ urudept as Mr. Tildcn resisted 10 the end
rs outrageous and unconstitutional, that 1t is
a glaring violation of the principle, once dear
10 the Democratic party, which demands equal
rights for all, rich or poor, only proves how far
tho Democrats of to-day have descended from
Democratic principles. For years it has been
charged that the Democratic party had become
infected with Populist hcrcsics. The income
fax in the Democratic revenue bill of 1894 is a
confession that the charge was true.
This one Indecent and unjust measure has be-
come the main object Of most Democrats In
Congress. for which they fight more desperately
than for any other part OF the revenue bill
In fact the entire measure has been twisted
out Of all respectable shape, and made con-
temptible I'm the eyes Of intelligent Democrats,
for the express purpose Of forcing this same
income tax upon the country. The motive Is rs
indecent as the measure. These Congressman
discovered from the elections of 1893 that they
were doomed to destruction as party and in
most of the districts and States unless they
could radically change their position. The only
chance which many of them could see for per-
sonal safety was in an appeal TO the property
hating and Sociastc notions which formed the
basis Of the POpulist movement, and they set
themselves to make that appeal, regardless Of
the fate Of their party, as rats desert sinking
ship.
Most Of them are perfectly aware that the tax
Is not necessary for ample revenue has been
collected under the present law, and could be
collected under II tariff for revenue only. They
know that II would be found an almost mpos-
siblc tax TO collect, and therefore almost worth
less as a reliance for a Treasury in trouble.
They know that it does not encourage thrift nor
provide larger help IN accumulated capital for
productive industries They know that it would
not improve, but would inevitably dcbauch the
public morals But they think it would catch
votes for them IN certain districts or States aud
therefore care nothing for its public influence.
This Is in the last degree dishonorablc The men
who barter off public welfare for private advan-
tagc are morally just as guilty and as base as
he who sells his vote in Congress for a vulgar
bride In cash
But the men who set themselves 10 push the
income tax for their private gnn regardless Of
the party. soon found that they were destroy
Ing their political associates in Eastern and
Northern States. 1t was base ngratitudc for
those who had looked 10 New York. Ncw,Jcrscy
and Connecticut more than thirty years for aid
IN every emergency, yet their desperation made
them capable of even this indccency. Demo
Gratis Of the East were told that they must look
out for themselves; that Western and Southern
Democrats would have 10 fight for selfprcscrya-
ton. and could hope 10 succeed only by aban-
donDg Democratic principles and bcraylng
Democratic interests They were ready for any
change In the bill whatever. no matter how cor