Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-01-04
THE LIMIT $1,000.
TARIFF REFORMERS AT LAST SAY
INCOME TAX.
All incomes Above $4,000 to be Taxed Two
Per Ccnt-Whiskey ana Playing Cards
VIII Also shoulder II Part of the Deficit
Necessity the Plea of These Dcmocrat-
ic Committeeman.

WASHINGTON, Jan. "a two per cent
tax on incomes above $1,000; an additional
tax of 10 cents gallon on whiskcy and
tax of two cents pack on playing cards
was the decision reached by the democratic
members of the ways and means committee
to-day. The conclusion was not unexpected,
as the committee has been known for some
time to be evenly divided on the proposition
to tax incomes, with Mir. Turner of Georgia
occupying the only position Of doubt
The committee met at the treasury de-
partment at 4 O'Clock this afternoon. 1t
was represented hv such of the gentlemen as
favored the proposition that general in
come tax would yield the government an
annual revenue of S30. COO 600; that making
the exemption $4,000 would limit it to
class amply able to afford it, and that in
view of the large deficit that will be caused
by the reduction in customs duties, there
was no alternative but to adopt it.
Some of the gentlomcn who opposed
the tax argued at length that the political
effect would be fatal to the Democratic
party and that it would be bottcr to limit
the tax to corporations only and raise the
additional revenue necessary from other
sources.
Cochran of New York insisted that an ill
come ak ought to be laid upon all incomes
whether large or small and that any other
course wa, unwiso and uudcuocratic, in that
it did not fall on all alike
When Chairman Wilson put the PROPOSE
tion to Il vote, six of the eleven representa-
tives present voted aye and it was carried.
Those who voted in the affirmative were
Messrs. McMillm, Bynum Talsncy, Whit
ing. Bryan and Turner
The tax applies TO the net earnings of cor
porations as well as to private incomes. 1t
does not, however, apply to inhertances
The additional tax of 10 cents q gallon on
whiskey includes whiskcy now in bond. With
a view to making the tax fall as lightly as
possible upon the owners of this whio6ey, it
was decided to extend the bonded period to
eight years. 1t is now three years.
The large revenue arising from tha income
tax caused the committee to rc"ede from the
tax of six cents a pack on playing cards and
reduce it to two cents, the more especially
as it was felt that the mGXimm tax would
prove an embarrassment t. th, mamufar
tIrers The tax of Sl.J3 per thousand IN
cigarettes, upon which the committee agreed
several weeks ago, was allowed 10 stand.
tW,S agreed upon to-day formally to the
House. He will announce tomorrow the
conclusions reaches. by the committee and
will offer items as an Amendment to the
tariff bill when the latter comes before the
House. Mr.. Wilson will call w the tariff
bill at the conclusion of the morning hour
on Wednesday and will make short speech
in explanation.
While there is no disposition on the part
of either Mr.. Wilson or the democratic ma
iority to prevent the republicans from de
batting the matter fully. it is the chairman 5
intention to reach n vote ON the bin .Ianua-
rY II. Deducting Sundays. this will
leave the bill before the House Is
legislative days. 1t is Mr. Wilson $
intention to limit general debate to
five days The remainder of the time will
be occupied i'll considering the measure un-
der the five minute rule. Night sessions
will he held in order that members who de
sire it may have an an opportunity to speak.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Wilson's re
marks tomorrow Mr.. Burrows of Michigan.
one of the leading republican members OF
the committee, viii speak in opposition to
the bill.