St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-31

Trade johnson. OF Ohio, Makes
"a Sensational Arraignmcnt of
the Income Proposition.
WASHINGTON, Jan. so. = This has
been field cay in the hou-e. The OPP
punentS of the income tax had their OPP
portunity. Messrs. Covert and Bartlett,
OF New York, and Johnson, of Ohio. all
Democrats, presented their opposition
along with the Republicans to the prop
ositlon to impose a special tax on
wealth. But it remained for Bourke
Cochran. the great Tammany orator, to
eclipse with his eloquence against the
measure all speeches he has ever made
in congress. Mr.. Bryan. of Nebraska.
closed the debate for the day in defense
OF the income tax, and he, too. made an
eloquent speech.
The call of committees for reports
was dispensed with this morning, and
the house went Immediately into the
committee OF the whole, and the tariff
debate was resumed.
Mr.. Covert dem, n VI who was
speaking when The house took recess
last night, was given unanimous con-
sent to complete his speech. He con-
tinued his attack upon the bill. which
he insisted was sectional measure,
whose burdens would fall ON the East
and North.
when the South was threatened
with force bill" he concluded. "we
of the North stood shoulder to shoulder
with the South against the bill, because
we believe its operations would be sec
uonal. / ask YOU of the South now to
join with lis i'll denouuclng this measure,
WHICH Is SECTIONAL"
Mr.. Cox Dem, Tenn.) followed in
support Of the income tax. and argued
that il it did bear more heavily on The
East and North than the South, it was
because the protective system dictated
by the North and East had copcen-
trated the wealth Of the country in
those sections.
Mr. w. a. Stone (Rep. Pa.) opposed
the income tax in a brief but yigor.
Gus speech.
Mr.. Bartlett Dem, n. " declared
that he was opposed to the income tax
at any time, ami in any form. whether
as rider on the tariff bill, or as
separate measure.
Mr.. Pendieton Dem., w. Va.). said
the West Virginia delegation would
support the bill. and he thought New
York ought to do likewise, and take its
medicine in the form of an income tax.
Mr.. Breckinrldge Dem, Ark of the
ways and means committee, referred to
the fact that a yery full Democratic
caucus had decided to make the income
tax feature of the bill. He spoke of
the re ports that the bill as a whole
might be recommitted. Such action, he
SAID. would be disastrous to the business
of the country, which above all wanted
tariff legislation completed at the eari-
est time possible. 1t was therefore
urgent that the suspense should cease.
While depression and lower wages had
followed in the wake OF the Mckinley
bill, lie believed prosperity and higher
wages would follow the enactment of
the Wilson bill.
MIR. johnson, of Ohio. followed with
RATHER SENSATIONAL
theoretical arraignment of the income
tax proposition, which gave him an OPP
portunity to advocate the imposition of
the Henry George land tax. Among
other things he said:
~ will vote for your income tax, but
as L must, as L will vote for your tariff
bill; but as a Democrat. | protest
against the one as L protest against the
other, as anti-Democratic measures, in
volVing an insult To labor"
Mr.. McKelghan pop. Neb.) and Mr..
Simpson Pop, Kan) in 6ve-minute
speeches advocated a graduated income
tax.
Mr.. Cochran Dem., n. " followed
as the especial champion of the Demo
cratic OppO sition 10 the income tax. As
soon as he arose in his plac the house
grew quiet. Members swung their
chairs around TO listen, and the galleries
grew attentive. For over an hour the
great Tammany orator poured forth his
eloquence against the income tax. He
had hoped, he began, that the tariff bill
would be allowed to come to vote un-
veXed, undisturbed and free from all
danger of embarrassing side issues. He
had hoped that the Democratic party
would first redeem its pledges before IT
, began to indulge the Vagaries OF its
| members. Those who opposed this
| proposition were to he subjected to a
new test of loyalty. While willing to
| vote for the tariff bill. we are now asked
at the behest of a party caucus to vote
for special tax on $1,000 out of $780,
600 Of people. When proposition goes
further than mere taxation, and is de-
llberately designed
TO TAX a CLASS.
These who believe in equality before
the law must array themselves against
it. ut breaks all the fundamental prin-
clrleS OF Democracy" said he, lat the
very root of the government; it is the
entering wedge in the shape of retaia
| tory legislation in this country. What
reason is assigned Tor bringing for
ward such proposition? Why should
| harmonious militant party be plunged
into discord by this proposition?
1T is brought in upon the assumption
that the Wilson bill will produce de
| felt; upon the assumption that existing
| conditions OF business, an unparalleled
| period OF stagnatiOn in our history, will
| continue. l have said before, and I say
| it now, that il | believed the Wilson
bill would produce a deficit in the rev.
enneS it would not receive my support.
The whole experience of the human
race demonstrates that the idea that
the reductions carried by this bill will
produce deficit is unfounded; false in
theory and libel on the Democratic
party.
las l oppose determinations against
the poor, so L oppose discrimination
against the rich. Ii you will put all
income tax on every man. woman and
child in the United States will support
| IT. You think this a popular move. You
are mistaken. There is less demagogy
among the people than among the poll
tlclanS. have never found laboring
man who wanted anything except
equality before the law. Some of you
tell us this tax upon the rich
WILL REPRESS ANARCHY.
''Great heavens, do gentlemenu nder-
stand what that means? Do they not
see it means that we are about-te out
strip them in the race for anarchys