The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-02
LAST EDITION
AN ODIOUS TAX.
Big Meeting to Oppose the
Income Tax in New York.
Hills Letter Denouncing the Tax Re-
ceived With Enthusiastic Cheers.

New YORK, June 2-The business men
81 this city turned out In great numbers
last night.at Carnegie Music hall, to pro-
test against the income tax. Every avail
able seat In the immense hall was filed;
the platform was thronged with repre-
sentative citizens. and great enthusiasm
was displayed.
Evan Thomas, president of the New
York Produce Exchange, was chairman.
Among the vice presidents were the presi-
dents OF all the life insurance companies,
the savings banks, the trust companies
and the heads of the principal dry goods
corporations, jewelry houses and other
business concerns
Mr.. Thomas was received with great
cheering He made an address in which.
Among other things, he said:
Taxation and tariff should be consid-
cred simply as business matters, and not
es political. An income tax is so un-
American and so partial In It's injury that
II should not be tolerated among free peo-
pie. That IL will finally become a law
cannot and will not believe"
The secretary thee read letters OF regret
sent by Senators Hill and Murphy and
Congressmen Quigg. Mervin and Covert,
and kilograms OF regret from Congress-
men Sickles and Hendrix. Senator Hills
letter was receive q with great applause.
Senator Hill's Le tier.
II need hardly assure you that am In
heartily sympathy with the purpose of
your meeting. An income tax feature has
no proper or legitimate place in tariff
reform bill. Itendangers and embarrasses
IN honest and an equitable revision
Of our tariff laws. which was expected, il
not desired, by the citizens of all parties.
"The unfortunate effort To incorporate
II iI the pending measure has delayed a
speedy disposition OF the tariff subject,
and induced a surrender OF nearly every
correct and consistent principle upon
which tariff reform measure should DO
based.
Un-American In Theory.
AN income tax is q scheme of mon
archicai governments only. which always
sanction class legislation. but which is
never adopted by republics. except from
dire necessity during the emergency of
war. IL IL neither a Democratic nor
Republican principle. but IL Is socialistio
In It's inception, un-American in its the
ery. unequal in Its operation, and neces-
sarily offensive in its execution.
1T II unjust because IL Ia unnecessary
Tor purposes of revenue 1t is an lily dis
guised sectional attack upon the industry,
thrift, enterprise and vast business inter-
ests Of the Empire state, which should be
vigorously resented by the men Of all par
ties. It is an odious tax for which the
people have never expressed their ap-
proval at the polls. In my Judgment, il
will surely bring disaster TO the political
party that enacts il.
1T is clear that it would not be adopted
by congress IL senator's would vote ac-
cording to their conscientious convictions
Father than In pursuance of dicker and
. acontemptihle compromise. founded upon
no principle and tolerated only as mis-
cradle makeshift or excused only as a
temporary expedient. / am opposed to
compromises where questions of essential
principle are involved.
1T Is immaterial whether the scheme
, popular or unpopular, or whether it
eaxes the many for the benefit of the few
Continued on Page3.)