The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-21
LAST EDITION
The INCOME TAX
Senator Hill Delivers a Ter
rifle Arrangement OF It.
He Declares II the Present Bill is De-
mocracy He Wants None OF 1t.


WASHINGTON, June N.---There was a
fairly good attendance in the galleries In
anticipation OF the opening OF the in
come tax debate when Vice. President
Stevenson called the Senate to order
today. Some preliminary routine business
was transacted, and at 1880 the tarin Dill
was laid before the Senate.
As soon as the clerk had read the first
section Of the income tax provisions, Mr.;
Hill, Dem., NJ W, who assumed
the leadership of the opposi-
tion of these provisions. took the
floor and delivered carefully prepared
argument against the incorporation OF an
income tax In the tariff bill.
Hili's Speech.
eve have now reached the considera-
tion of one VI the most important features
not only because the tax which 1t
seeks to impose equals in the ag-
gregate about one fifteenth of the
whole federal taxation OF the United
States, but because of the peculiar nature
OF the burden as well as the vast and
varied interests which 1t injuriousiy
affects. With all due respect to what has
been said in favor of this tax
by distinguished Senator's it
Is confidently submitted to the
Senate that the arguments presented in
opposition TO the necessity, justice and
advisability OF any such tax have never
been successfully answered. The argu-
me 1ts have been evnded but not refuted.
In the first place, considered from the
mere standpoint OF political expediency,
Il was unwise to incorporate an income
tax in a reform bill. There were honest
differences enough already existing among
party friends relating TO the details OF
legitimate tariff legislation, which neces-
sarily had to be reconciled, with
out going out OF our way to seek fresh
causes of contention in an effort to incor-
porate this tax, an experimental scheme
OF taxation at best, upon measure Tor the
revision of the tariff. The Democratic party
was substantially united in favor of tariff
revision, it Is we'll known that irrecon-
ciIable differences of opinion existed con-
cerning the propriety of restoring a
war tax in time OF peace, and yet
In spite Of such recognized differ
enoes and in the faces OF the
and against the advice OF public men who
have never faltered In their devotion to
true Democratic principles, this income
tax feature has been engrafted upon this
measure and we are persistently asked to
occept ID against our better Judgment a.
Q condition of obtaining any tariff legis-
lation. IL would have been good politics
to have avoided this unnecessary issue
Prudence dictated that this Congress
should not attempt to formulate new
Democratic doctrines to which we have moi
been committed. Rather should il carry
out the pledges that we have already
made. Perhaps overestimate the i'm
portance OF party platforms and appreci-
ate too keenly the binding obligations o.
party pledges. 1 believe that IL /:
the solemn duty of politica
party to redeem the promises upon which
IL obtained power aud that repudiatior
thereof will sooner or later bring disaste
upon il at the hands of betrayed and in
dignant people. ! regret the spectacle
which we have recently wit
messed of Democratic Execu
tive nominating and Democratic
Senate confirming officials for the terri
tories and for the District of Columbia
who were non-residents thereof, in viola
tion of the principle of home rule and tn
explicit provision of the Chicago platform
Ne have recently seen n Democrat
House OF Representatives refuse to repea
federal tax upon State bank circulation
Such repeals have been expressly favore'
in our national platform, while the sam
house went out of the way to inject
Populistic income tax in a Democratic
tariff bill, and the Senate is now asked t
ratifv a portion of such inconsistent &C
Continued on Page 3D.