Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-04
HE VOTED FOR IT
Senator Smith Stated His Position
: Upon the Tariff Bill.
SATISFACTORY Is IT NOW STAND,
Except as to the Ubiquitous Income
Tax.
BELIEVES IN PROTECTION

Senator Smith of New Jersey, VINO has
been numbered by some as democrat
who might vote against the tariff bill be-
cause of his known opposition to the in
come tax feature, last evening defined his
position in a speech in the Senate, in which
he said:
In the course Of previous remarks which
] made upon this question 1 pledged to my
constituents my utmost endeavors to "elirni-
nate the socialistic income tax to read
just the schedules to conform with the doc
trine of a tariff for revenue" to grant to
our Industries sufficient protection to guar
antee their maintenance on the basis of
American wages. and finally. to fulilP' the
distinct obligation of the democratic party
to confer the boon of tariff reform upon the
American people.
His Only Regret.
That pledge, sir, have kept to the full
limit Of my ability and opportunity. My
only regret at this time is that the small
minority Of Senators on this side of the
chamber who oppose the income tax have
been unable to convince our colleagues of
the public and party wisdom Of striking 1t
out altogether from the bill. Even then-if
republican Senators had not voted for this
scnefne. IL would have been blotted out OF
existence. But / cannot deny that demo-
cratic Senators who favor the idea have
met US in a spirit Of fairness and reason.
They have consented to the exemption Of
building and loan associations. mutual life
insurance associations, savings banks and
other organizations Of like character, in
which are invested the savings OF the poor.
Ihey nave eliminated the hateful inquisi-
torial features. And. finally. and most i'm
portant OF all. they have agreed to the pas
sage Of this amendment in such a shape
tnat II Will be submitted to the people upon
n or Iad
poncy or the government. but as an expert
ment to be tried for short time and then
elect.
The Most Detestabie Method.
Mr.. President. Of all the methods of taxa
ton i consider this the most detestable I
expressed befor. and repeat low With
doubled emphasis my earnest conviction
that IT Is unnecessary, unjust. unsuccess-
ful unpopular and undemocratic. unameri-
can and unwise. 1 never could conscien-
uously. and never would for any reason
whatsoever. vote to incorporate it into
system for an indefinite period of time. /
DID and shall at every opportunity in the
future vote against 1t as a separate prcpo-
eition. But. sir, the astonishing strength
ami persistence shown by the advocates of
the Idea make IL certain in my mind that
there is only one way of escape, and that
Is by trial The sole practical question now
before US who oppose this scheme Is
l & a
very early day in a far more offensive form
than now, without limit to its time or
operation.
That. sir. Is the situation We are obliged
TO face, and of the two evils I am con-
strained to choose the lesser j will go yet
further and say that If there were no party
considerations l should welcome the test
cannot insult the intelligence of Ameri-
can people by even suspecting that they
will endure this odious infection one mo-
ment longer than shall be required to
demonstrate its manifold inIquities.
For FL except this portion of the measure
before US l shall vote. not simply with re-
luctance, but with genuine satisfaction 1
have the honor. Mr.. President. to be one
OF those Senators who have been accused
OF demanding fair treatment of American
industries. l have been urged over and
over again TO deny the truth of this charge
But. sir, i do not deny 1t. admit Ii FRANK
~ and squarely. OF whatever crime may
be involved in the defense and reasonable
protection under a revenue tariff OF the in
dustries or this country / am guilty /
said before and repeat now that the demo-
cratlc party was never free trade party
1t Is not today and in my Judgment never
viii be-
The Great business Depression,
I grant that under other circumstances
greater reductions might and probably would
De advisable. But / unable to see the
wisdom or justice of such action at this
time. The great industries of this country
have just passed through one of the most
trying periods since thew spranc inta ex
istence. i shall not enter into a discussion
or the causes of the lamentable depression
OF business which has continued now more
than year.
Only partisan purposes can be served by
attrtouting X to either the banefui effect
or the Mckinley duties or the uncertainty
resarding the future undoubtedly felt by
all manufacturers.
1t Is sufficient to know that distrust and
apprehension still prevails. that thousands
OF factories are closed and that hundreds
or thousands OF worlkmen are deprived of
employment necessary to their subsistence
Under SUCH circumstances / can conceive
or no legislative action more illiberal more
untimely or more cruel than that which
VIII hinder for day resumption of pros
perity. In any event. right or wrong dem
ocratic or undemocratic. as representa-
tive of one of the chief manufacturing
will not vote for any bill or amendment
that will make it impossible for single in
dustry to continue or resume operations.
Will Vote for the Bill.
1t was for that reason that make the
admission without hesitation, and with
full appreciation of the criticism which 1t
will evoke. that in conference with my col
leagues 1 opposed the provisions of both
the House Dill and the measure first sub
mitted by the finance committee. The re-
Sised bill now before US / consider just
and fair to all. 1t Is democratic because II
IS based upon the principles OF a tariff for
revenue with incidental protection, and it is
wise and patriotic because, Instead of add
ing 70 the burdens inflicted upon our in
oustries By the financial difficulties of the
past year. II helps and strengthens them
ana can have 10 other effect than the
quick revival of business, universally de-
sired ana the consequent employment pros
penty and happiness of the great army OF
men now idle, disconnected and discour-
49,, ! sndu vote Tor this measure, Mr..
ffesioent because l am democrat
THE HOISEMIEN IN SIrMMru