Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-09-05
Extracts from the Speech of Con-
gresham Bland.

G4tIdCIh IIOlu tuo opCCCu Va OVh-
gresham Bland.
1t is contended with much force,
and the history of wool tariffs tend
to prove the assertion, that tariff
on wool rather lowers the price OF
wool, for the reason we cannot ex-
port our wool in competition with
foreign woods; hence we depend en-
tirely upon the consumption OF
wool by our own factories. In or
der for our factories to use our wool
it is necessary to import certain
grades of foreign wool to mix with
our homegrown wool.
This mixture is essential to the
manufacture of most of the wool
ems we use. The greater the duty
imposed OH foreign wool the less of
it will be used by our home factor
les, consequently the less they will
buy and consume of the home
grown wool. This cuts off the
home market for wool and depresses
the price. 1t is confidently pre-
dicted that free wool will cause a
much larger demand for wool, and
thus raise the price instead FLOWER
ing it.
1t may be truthfully asserted that
the cheapening of the clothes of
the people by the reduction of the
duties on wooden goods in the tariff
act will save the people millions OF
dollars annually.
The family that may have to pay
an extra cent or 2 cents per pound
on sugar will be more than compen-
stated in the price of a suit of wool
EN- clothes. Besides, the sugar tax
goes direct to the Treasury. A tax
on sugar is almost purely revenue
tax, the Government getting the
benefit.
If a family uses per annum zoo
pounds Of sugar and should pay an
extra 2 cents per pound, making S.
that same family will save more
than this Oh one single outfit Of
wooden clothing for wife or daugh-
ter.
The great reduction in wooden
goods will prove an inestimable
blessing to the poor.
Mr.. Speaker, the income tax fea-
ture of the bill is the most impor-
tant and valuable part of it. I'M
portant and valuable because it is
an assurance to the people of the
country that the Democratic party
has incorporated into law as part
of it's tariff reform policy the rails.
ing of revenue from the rich as well
as the poor.
Tariff taxes are burdens upon the
poor, altogether out of proportion
to their ability to pay; whilst an in.
come tax is burden upon those
who are able to pay out of Their
superabundance. 1t is estimated
that this tax for the first year end.
ing next July will amount to $15,-
100000, but after the law is fully
in force and well matured in APP.
plication and practice 1T will next
year probably double that sum.
1t is an entering wedge, a begin
ming that will no doubt become q
permanent and fixed policy Of oul
party, and be maintained and more
largely imposed in the future legis-
lation, when we still further reduce
tariff taxes and increase the income
tax.
Be it said to the lasting credit OF
the Democratic party, that at its
very first opportunity it sought to
shift the burdens Of the Govern
ment from the shoulders of the poor
to the pockets of the rich by the
income tax.
Mr.. Speaker, you and | know
and it is pretty generally under
stood here, that the stubborn OPP
position to this bill as well as to
the House bill, the greatest desire
manifested to defeat both was on ac-
count Of the principles of the in.
come tax.
The bill reduces taxes more than
the Mills bill. Yet the Mills bill
was universally Endorsed by Demo.
Gratis as a long step in the right d..
rection, and was also Endorsed al
the Democratic Convention held in
st. Louis in 1883.
The bill will transfer from the
pockets Of monopoly to the pockets
of the people many hundreds of
millions Of dollars.
BY the act of 1883 the average
ad valorem rate was 47.10, Mills
bill, 1898; Mckinley bill, 1898
the House, or Wilson bill, 35.51
the Senate bill, 38.68.
Il will be seen the Senate bill av.