The herald., 1894-04-03

IS .0O0. 900 per year, but this stimulating
effort OF such All enormous bounty was
underrated. II the law was to remain
unrepealed the time is at hand when it
will confer as mere gratuity more
than $40, 100000 per year on small
fraction of our population engaged, not
in public service, but in their own
private enterprises.
MORE TAX ON WHISKY.
'In turning to another subject on
which much ignorance and much ma
levolent criticism has been heard, the
task is easy. In securing sufficient rev.
enue for the support OF the government
with as light tax as possible on the
necessaries Of life, | have at ell times
earnestly favored an increased tax on
whisky. would be glad If the pending
bill provided for tax OF $l.20 per gal
lon instead OF $1.10. as it does. More
revenue should be raised from distilled
spirits, the purchase and consumption
of which is never necessity of life; but
the fact that $40, 900, 600 of q surplus ac-
cruing under the bill is furnished by the
tax on whisky is genuine Joy to my
mind. My sincere regret is that more
money for the government is not OBJ
tanned from that source, and conse.
uuently less from other sources OF
different character. | have no hesita-
ton in declaring, upheld as l am by the
secretary OF the treasury and the COM
missioner OF internal revenue, who have
both recommended every step taken on
this subject, that one OF the wisest,
safest, most useful and necessary pro-
visions in the pending bill is that in
creaeing the tax on distilled spirits and
granting an extension of the time they
may remain in bond without being
driven out of the country"
THE INCOME TAX.
Speaking of the proposed income tax,
which he warmly upheld, Mr.. Voorhees,
said:
'The proposition contained in the
pending bill to levy tax OF 2 per cent
on all incomes of corporations and of in
dividuals in excess of $4,000 per annum
is so Just and equitable towards the
Woodworking taxpayers OF meager re-
sources throughout the country. that
not word in its defense or explanation
would seem necessary here or any
where else. But the narrow and cor
roding selfishness OF riches has been
aroused by this simple measure OF JUS
tice in fierce resentment and conten-
ton. We hear on all hands the voice
of individuals and corporate wealth de-
manding that they shall not be dis
turbed by the demands or slightest
touch OF the tax gatherer. whatever may
BE the demands OF the government or
the oppression OF the toiling masses.
For no earthly consideration would l
paint an unjust or overwrought picture
of the dangerous preten tions and intol-
cradle arrogance of accumulated wealth
now manifest in this country, but
speaking in the fear OF my Maker, be-
lieve the limit of endurance has been
reached that the time has come for a
test TO be made by the power OF boarded |
money and the power OF productive |
labor; that the people from this time
forward more than ever before will or
ganize and take rapid measures against
the rule and supremacy of the rich in
shaping the financial policy of this gov.
ernment in their own interests"
THE WOOL SCHEDULE.
Referring to the wool schedule, he
said: "If l believed wool on the free
list would hurt the farmer would not
vote for the bill. 1t is a matter of aotu-
al demonstration, however, which has
often been made, that free wool, accom-.
panied by such reduced rates as can
then be placed upon manufactures OF
wool, and which are placed on them in
this bill, is the greatest blessing that
can bsfall the farmer. II the farmer
should get an increased price for his
wool by reason of a tariff for its protec
tion. he will pay it all out, and much
more, to the manufacturer as duty on
wooden goods when he next buys a
flannel shirt, an overcoat or pair OF
troueers."
THE MILLENNIUM OF LABOR.
Mr.. Voorhees, concluded as follows:
"When the day shall dawn in which
the farmer, the mechanic and the wage.
worker shall alike lave the right and
the privilege to 60 into the open, liber-
ated markets OF the land and buy where
their nard-earned money will buy the
most for their wants. with none to
molest, to assess, to levy, to take toll, or
to task or tax. then indeed will the mill
lennium of labor have come and all the
sons and daughters of toll shall rise up
and call their government blessed.
"Sir, this is the birthday of Thomas
Jefferson. One hundred and fiity-one
years ago today he came into the world,
the greatest emanclpator of thought,
philosopher of liberty and teacher OF the
natural rights OF man ever known in
human histary. The blows he struck
for freedom and justice and equality in
government are yet resounding through
out the earth, and they will never cease
to be heard until the last shackle of
privilege and tyranny is broken. Ten
days before his soul took flight from his
mountain home he wrote his parting
words to his own countrymen and to all
the race of mankind. With this great
dying message before us and in its spirit
we take new courage and go on with our
work. All eyes are open or opening
he said, 'to the rights Of man. The
general spread Of the light of science
has laid open to every view the palpab
truth that the mass of mankind has not
been born with saddles on their backs,
not favored few booted and spGrred,
ready to ride them legitimatsly by the
grace of Gou'
Hail mighty message, and hail its
speedy and certain fulfllmsnt! All
hail the counsels of Thomas Jefferson
in this hour of caste based on wealth,
or privilege granted by law, and of
monopoly feasting on the slavery Of
labor !"
WAVE OF APPLAUSE.
A few minutes before 4 O'Clock SEN
ator Voorhees, concluded his speech,
which had lasted nearly two hours. AS
he took his seat a wave of applause
swept over the galleries which the vice.
praaidput had uonna Il If ot1ltv in uuallinx