New-York tribune., 1894-01-27
TIE INCOME TN.

The decision of the Democratic caucus 10
adopt the income tax as part or the I'rlh pi'''
If WAS admitted by Professor Wilson Ill tue
caucus and is admitted by Democratic orsahS'
makes the defeat of the Wilson bill possibility
in the House 1t would be glad day lor
American industries and labor if TINS shouid pe
the end Of that measure. Mills ana lnines 'ii
over the country. factories and shops OF ever!
kind would start up at once. Already 'hc grow
ing impression that the Tariff bill VIII III the
end be defeated has encouraged Il great MANY
manufacturers to start their works Within 'iie
last two weeks and particularly since the III
come tax was definitely decided upon py 'he
Democratic committee The coincidence IS one
which ought TO be remembered, whatever nap
mems Distinct and clear Improvement III DuSl-
moss anDeared when men began 20 beleVe lhat
the warfare Of Democrats upon American III
dustres would end in failure. Within SKI!
DAYS if tariff agitation were out or the way
the country might hope 10 recover III great
part. if not fully. the ma;chcSs proSpcrl'!
which thirty years Of Protection had gwen II
in 1892 Possibly the hopes of business hieh
are premature But certainly IL would be most
unwise now TO neglect any appeal or ehort li''i'
can be made 10 insure III" defeat OF the NAScA
tariff. The prospect is certainly brighter thah
II has been ut any other time since the Free
Trade Administration came into power
1t would be just Judgment on the Demo
cratic party if the measure upon "il!ch IL HaS
staked everything should thus be beaten through
It's own faithlessness TO its principles. Inc
Wilson bill has been shaped from the nrst "lih
deliberate intention to make an income tax IN
evitable, and thus to placate the Socialist ana
Popul.st propertyhaters in Western and South-
ern States. Congressman who knew that this
was not the tariff for revenue Only Whlch
their party had promised, because II was III
fact a tariff TO create deficit. nevertheless sup
ported the scheme in the hope that it would
gain for them votes OF Popullsts ana so
c;alists and thus save them from merited dc-
feat Other men who were perfectly aware 'hat
the bill would destroy many American inuus-
tries, with no regard for their pledges to the
| people or their duty 10 the country, gave sup
port TO the measure on the ground mat II was
necessary to the party in some sections.
1t would serve all these men right If indlG-
nant voters should destroy the Democratic
! party at the next election, and condemn them
and it to ostracism for another thirty years.
! The decision in favor Of the income tax was
| carried at the last, it is said. by the votes or
/ men who had come 10 dread the passage OF
the Wilson bill, having learned from protests
| Of workingmen that it would defeat them and
| their party but who had not the courage
| openly 10 resist Il party measure. In order 10
| bring about its defeat, or provide an excuse Tor
defeating il, they helped by action or by silence
! TO fasten upon it All odious amendment. That
| was bad faith 10 their party; immcasurapiy
| more censurable than open resistance to meas
IRE which was directly contrary 10 the pledges
/ Of the party But il Is perfectly IN Keeping
| with the tactics by which these and other Dem
ocratic Representatives have for years laborcd
! 10 steal majoritics In districts which really De-
/ lieve In the Republican policy.
! II all this faithlessness 10 the party in power,
! 10 pledges and to the interests OF the country
/ should end in defeat of the Wilson bill in the
| House. it would be most fortunate thing for
| the public welfare Doubtless efforts would he
/ made even then TO c0ntrivc some new measure
which might serve TO pacify Free Traders. and
| continued agitation would in that event deprive
the people in part Of the prosperity for which
they hope But there would then be n chance
! for Democrats in Congress to consider the
wishes Of constituents. as they have not dared
| 10 thus far, and meanwhile the struggle be-
tween the conservative and socialistic element
will not be lcssencd by the defeat Of measure
approved by Il Democratic caucus.