The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-02-09
PASSAGE OF THE UILSON THRIFT
BILL.

The struggle over the Wilson tariff
bill in the House of Representatives
ended on Thursday of last week, by its
passage, with the income tax amend.
ment added, by decisive vote of 204
to $40. The result demonstrates very
clearly that the Democratic represen-
tatives in Congress realize the earnest
desire of the people for Il more equita
BILE adjustment of tariff taxes and
were willing to yield their individual
opinions OH the income tax rather
than inperil the bill.
The House was crowded, u number
of ladies being among the spectators.
Ex-Speaker Reed opened the debate
in favor of high protection. He ad-
vanced no new arguments to prove
that there is any reason for Il continu-
should be Unfortunately taxed in order
that a favored few should have the OPP
portunity of amassing great wealth.
His speech was listened to with re-
spectful attention but itfailed to shake
the Democratic ranks
Speaker Crisp replied to Mr.. Reed.
His speech was a calm, dispassionate
appeal for the rights of the people at
large against monopolies. In reply
to Mr.. Reeds assertion that a high
tariff meant high wages he said that
the Democratic theory is that free
competition in production will more
steadily employ workmen than when
it is restricted We say that $3.50 a
day for 300 days in the year is infinite
ly preferable to So a day for 200 days
in an industry controlled by monopo-
ly. For thirty years, said Mr.. Crisp,
the Democratic party has been en-
deavoring to regain power. They
held out to the people the promise
and hope of reduced taxation, and af-
ter full and free argument the people
entrusted them with power to effect
their promises. The bill brought in
here may not be an ideal bill; every
gentleman ON this side may find objec-
ton to some detail of it. But
with unanimity remarkable under
existing conditions we on this side
have decided that this bill is step in
the right direction and that we will
support it"
With regard to the sources from
which to meet the estimated deficiency
of $75,OO0,OOO in the revenues, Mr..
Crisp said:
I'VE will raise $10,0C0,00 by an in,
creased tax on whisky, 100000 from
playing cards and cigarettes and $780,
600, 900 from a tax on incomes and
earnings of corporations. And what
remains we propose to meet by the
good old Democratic method of an
economical expenditure of our reve-
nues."
The debate was closed by Mr.. Will
son, chairman of the Committee on
Ways and Means. 1t was a mastery
and eloquent presentation of the
cause of tariff reform, and at its close
the barriers of restraint broke loose
and enthusiasm became wild and
frantic. Members forgot their digni-
ty and shouted with joy like school
boys. Others Rugged Mr.. Wilson and
finally two of them lifted him bodily
from the floor and carried him upon
their shoulders to the cloak-room.-
No scene like it was ever before wit
messed in the House. 1t was but a
prelude to the joy with which the
passage of the bill by the Senate
will be hailed throughout the
country
As the names were called ore by
one Democrats who had opposed GER
tain features of the bill or the income
tax, submitted to the will of the party
and voted aye. Even Bourke Cock
ran, the distinguished and eloquent
New Yorker, who made a strong
speech against the income tax amend
ment, showed his true Democracy by
voting for the bill as it stands. The
entire Democratic delegations from
New York and Maryland, before the
final vote was taken, voted solidly
against the income tax.
The Senate, it is probable, will strike
out the income tax, add small duty
on sugar and send the bill back to the
House, but no one doubts it's passage
even as thus amended.