The Washington times., 1894-04-13
ABOUT THE INCOME TAX
What Senators Smith, McPhers0n, and
Hill Say or Do Not Say.
PROBABILITY OF ITS DEFEAT
Growing Belief That It Will Not Be Ac-
copied, and That Way May Be Found
to Kill It Without Endangering the
Tariff Bill.

There is a growing belief at the Capitol
that the tariff bill will yet be passed, and
probably without the income tax. Changes
in the bill are nearly certain, and 1t is pos
sible, though not likely. that an entirely new
measure may be proposed.
But leading Democrats are coming to the
| view that Senator Hill does not say In his
speech that he will defeat the tariff bill rather
than accept the income tax, and that he has
carefully left the way open to accept the bill
| gracefully If he cannot defeat it. Such a
| course does not seem likely to be necessary
now and it is believed the two New York
and two New Jersey Senators hold the key to
the situation, and. being obliged to vote, will
defeat the bill. From this view the following
declarations by the Senators concerned are Of
interest. Senator James Smith, jr., of New
Jersey. who returned to Washington yester-
day, in answer to a question as to his posi-
tion on the tariff and the income tax, said:
II want it clearly understood that favor q
reduction in duties and am tariff reformer.
There is no doubt in my mind that tariff
bill will be passed this session, and those who
are figuring on maintenance of present i'm
sports because of a defeat of the present bill
are greatly mistaken. l think the present
measure will pass, although there may be
number of changes in some OF the schedules
before it does, or there may be a new bill.
AS to the income tax, am opposed to it, and
shall vote against it and do all can to defeat
it"
Senator Smith was then asked pointedly,
"Will you vote against the bill if the income
tax cannot be eliminated. and do you under
stand Senator Hills speech to go to that
lengthy" He replied that he did not think
q ant n ia oG bnt
that he himself would not
The Senator's attention was then called to
provision in the Senate rules which declares
that ''if the question in debate contains sew
eral propositions, any Senator may have the
same divided except motion to strike out
and insert. which shall not be divided" and
he was asked If Senator Hill or any Senator
could not insist on n vote on every paragraph
of the bill if he so desired. and by compelling
postponement on the questio n of the income
tax as a separate proposition pass the bill
with out the income tax. Senator Smith de-
clared that such a course was quite likely.
Senator Hill. when quest ioned as to his at
titude to the income tax. exhibited his usual
reticence, and said, with smile. when asked
whether he would vote against the bill II he
could not get the income tax stricken out
that he was treading on delicate ground and
could not state his views. He read with con-
siderable interest written interview with
ociiiloi tlSi hcisou, WHOoc Notc III snc
Committee left the income tax in the bill, stat
ing that he would vote against the tax, but
would not vote against the bill if the tax was
not eliminated. Senator Hill said, "Well,
that speaks for Mr.. Joe Mcpherson"
To question whether the solution of his
difficulty might not lie in the Senate rules,
Senator Hill turned quickly. and with pierre
ing eye on his questioner said, after a mo-
ment's pause, "Well, you can look at the
rules"
He declared that he did not know what
course Senator Smith would take. nor how he
would vote