The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-03-13

f'OlOsLb NEW ThNES.
SiEhr duty""........ ............n..........."S iOoO),0DO
Increase on WHISKY .....,"""............ "lihD,Wn
Increase on cigars H,O.O,WD
llCOLlo rJ,UOJ,UN'
Increase on Cigarettes .,""...-..m".... l,NO,OOO
Total new taxes 81. ..................-SlHl0l0IO0
surplus under proposed legislation &c. G,OU),OOO
This showing assumes tho final
adoption Of the tariff in substantially
tho torn reported to the full senate
committee on finance, and with 1t tho
income tax, estimated TO yield S30,00O,-
600. We do not think anyone ac-
quuinted with the facts will question
the substantial accuracy Of this csti-
mate, nor yet that, with IL return Of
business prosperity, the surplus might
materially exceed this creditor balance
OF S55, 100000
1t is to be conceded that, ms the change
OF tarill is somewhat OF Il iiscal expert
mcnt. it may be prudent TO provide for
Il moderate surplus OF income for the
coming year. But n minimum surplus
OF Sd, 0O0,O COO Tor such purnoseis Il mon.
s~trosity OF abuse OF the taxing power.
as the larger half OF that sum
from tho income Tux, it is plain beyond
question that this impost is designed
Tor purposes outside OF legitimate rev.
enue requirements. 1t is not difficult
to judge what those purposes may he.
For, although the supporters OF the tax
have sought TO hide its real aim, they
will not be prepared to denythodivulged
secret that one OF its objects is
TO facilitate further large rcduc-
tons OF tariff duties one or two
years hence. Nor does it need proof
that another purpose is TO satisfy 4
d~emagocism which seeks 10 shit taxa
ton upon the wealthier classes; and
yet another TO crafty q s%ectionalism
that aims in every possible way to dis
crlminate against eastern centres OF
capital. This is the bottom significance
oil the income tax; and its defense
upon various spcclOus pretenses Of
equity, convenience, &c, are mere in
ventIons to conceal the fundamentally
unjust and unconstitutional character
OF the plot. In the name OF every in.
terest and every principle OF honest
government that American legislators
arc bound to respect, We protest against
this tax us m infamous fraud.
1t is Il criminal abuse OF the taxing
power OF Congress to employ it for the
purposes in this case contemplated.
The authority Of Congress in this case is
restricted TO providing for the lcgiti.
mate expenditures OF the government
ior the ensuing year. This tax. how
ever, contemplates that some 5000, 900,
or possibly 10000, 900, OF the peoples
money shall he withdrawn from use, to
facilitate the enforcement of q future
party policy which the party has Il
daily diminishing prospect oil its being
able to enforce, and upon which the
people have to pronounce ut the polls.
In that aspect the tax is an unmitignt-
ed impudence and 4 piece OF ridiculous
"prcviousness."
Moreover, it is to tho last decree reck-
less to collect Tor such %ouiIOtic pur-
poses ONE thirty or forty millions OF
tho peoples money Immediately follow
ing n year OF unprecedented CONNER
clai depression and when the country is
in tho midst OF the arrangements Incl
dent to u great change OF industrial pol
icy. Is the country likely to regard
this rs q fultilment OF the promises OF
temperate consideration for the inter.
eats affected by this transition? Is itin
this way that the majority party makes
good its platform pledges OF reduction
III taxation? Such tritling with the iis-
cal burthens OF the people, in the pres.
cnt condition OF Industry, trade and Ia
Dor, is wanton recklessness.
As n distinct embodiment OF class aud
sectional legislation, this tax is a hold
invitation OF the WORT form Of political
division that could threaten tho couu-
try. No doubt, these tactics are chosen
because they are calculated to insure
for tho Democratic party the co-opera-
ton OF the dlsatlectcd elements OF the
west and tho south; but along with that
must go acquicscence in tho doctrines
OF popUlism and OF g%rangcrism and sup
port for any and every form OF rotten
money. And with n OF tho great
political organizations thus revolu-
tionized and made the organ OF n sec.
%tional, selfish ~demagogism. what is
likely to be the future OF party conflict?
what the basis OF public confidence?
what tho guarantee Tor the N
ployment OF capital, whether foreign
or domestic? The one great danger
to the Union. hostility between its
parts, will be thrown wide open, and
there is no saying what results may
come. The income taz-taken Tor what
it implies MS TO sectional feeling, as to
tampering with private rights, as to
socialistic tendencies, and as 10 the de-
mo~rallzation OF what has been deemed
IN expressly constitutional party-is
the entering OF tho thin edge Of 4 wedge
that may very easily be driven to ap.
palIing lengths OF division. The tax
therefore is TO be regarded rs conccn-
trating and uniting the most dangerous
political elements oil the times, us cx-
hibiting them for spectacular dema.
gogic effect. and as initiating a new de-
parture in politics ior what destiny OF
mischief it is sickNninG to forecast.
1t is unnecessary to repeat what we
have already repeatedly demonstrated
rs TO tho essential unconstitutlona!ity
OF the ''powers OF search" which tho
bill confers upon agents Of the govern
ment Tor enforcing the collection OF this
tax. II implies, however, n grave de-
privation OF respect ior tho private
rights Of tho citizen when n party can
thus ruthlesslv and without shadow OF
urgent cause Incorporate star chamber
presidents into 4 revenue bill. 70 any
people having n true conception OF the
sacredness and the fundamental civil
import OF those rights there can be but
one verdict-that any political party
deliberately proposinC such yiolenCes in