The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-05
1t Seems the Secretary Worked for the
Proposition Without First Learn
ing His Masters Mind.
MIR. CLEVELAND WAS FURIOUS
And Told Gresham to Undo His
Work, but the Latter Failed.
Now the Whole Administration Is Up in
Arms Against the Measure-The
Duty on Window Glass.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Jan. At transpires
that Grover Cleveland has severely sat
down upon Walter Q. Gresham in the
matter of the income tax agreed to by
the ways and means committee. 1t was
Gresham who was largely responsible for
incubating the subject in the minds OF
Democratic members of the committee.
This fact was brought out to-day in con-
nection with the Secretary of States de-
nunciation of Representative Bynum, of
Indiana, for having voted for income taxes
at the meeting OF the committee on Tues
day evening. When a Democratic men,
ber of the committee was informed that
Mr.. Gresham was berating the Hoosief
member for having supported the PROPOSE
ton, he said:
Walter Q. Gresham had better stop
talking upon that subject, or he will get
himself into deeper trouble with Grover
Cleveland. 1t is not generally known, but
1T Is true, that Gresham was among the
earliest and most earnest advocates OF in
come taxes. He earnestly solicited Demo-
cratic members of the ways and means
committee, months ago. to provide for in
come taxes in the Wilson tariff BILL You
know that Gresham got all of his reputa-
ton by antagonizing corporations. So he
insisted that we should, at least tax cor
poration shares. 1 remember that a. few
weeks ago. at a secret meeting of the ma
jority membership Of the committee and
at time when income taxes were threat.
Democratic member from the West deliv-
cred a brief but spirited argument in favor
of taxing incomes and legacies, If not, in
earnest appeal in behalf of the proposition
he reminded the committee that his arg1i-
ments and logic were those of Walter ..
Gresham, and he made the further state
ment that If we agreed upon income taxes
the Secretary OF State would help the prop
osition through both branches of Congress.
A few days ago, when that member called
upon Gresham, he was astonished to hear
the Secretary of State implore him to vote
against income taxes. When the member
of the committee reminded Gresham that
the Secretary of State was largely respon-
sible for the growth of sentiment among
members of the committee in favor of in
come taxes he replied by saying: oh. I
know that / have been talking for income
taxes these many months, but have been
looking into the question and have changed
my mind We must defeat the project Be-
sides, the administration is against income
taxes. The fact is the President learned
OF Gresham's work in favor or the propo-
sition and, sending for him, told him that
he must not only stop his talk but proceed
to Immediately undo what he had done.
Walter Q. Gresham has no more inde-
pendence power in his Office than one
of the twelve-hundred-dollar clerks under
him"
1t is stated by Democratic members OF
Congress who have talked to the President
that the latter is very indignant over
Gresham's work in behalf of income taxes,
and that he has "sat down upon" him
so hard that he will not soon forget It. 1t
looks as though the casus belli between
Gresham and Bynum would be transferred
to one between Cleveland and Gresham.
So open, bitter and bold became the adj
ministration's opposition to income taxes
to-day that Southern Democratic men,
Der of the ways and means committee OBJ
served to the Journal correspondent: "The
President cannot defeat an income tax, but
he can carry opposition far enough to de-
feat the Wilson tariff bill. If that meas
ure ever becomes law, 1t will contain a
provision providing for income taxes. We
are growing very weary OF this interfer-
ence on the part of the administration
with the work of the ways and means
committee and this dictation as to what
Congress shall and shall not do respecting
tariff reform and other important ques-
tions" The division of Democratic senti-
ment in both branches Of Congress over the
income tax problem grows in volume and
bitterness. Four-fifths OF the Democrats
from the North oppose any sort Of an in
come tax and, as stated in these dispatches
last night, the addition of this new element
OF dissatisfaction and weakness seems to
make clear the practicability of defeating
the Wilson tariff bill upon its final passage
The measure will surely be defeated IL
half of the opposing Democrats retain
their nerve in the face of the influence OF
the administration, or continue to advocate
home interests as against general party
theories and principles