The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-29


cratic nor republican principal, and has
never been approved By the people at the
polls, but is one of the doctrines of the
Populist party, the votes of whose seua-
tors in the Senate are expected to be the
means of fastening it upon this DILL and
upon the people.
THE TAX UNNECESSARY.
g. It is an unnecessary tax. The de-
bate has conclusively demonstrated the
fact that the needs of the treasury will
not require the proceeds of this tax, but
that sufficient revenues will be realized
under the other provisions of
the measure. No proper esti
mate has been furnished of the
revenues expected to be realized from this
tax, but it is blindly urged without re
gard to anticipated revenue or conse-
qnences
T. 1t is direct tax within the true in
tent and meaning of the constitution, and
not being laid in proportion to population,
Is unconstitutional, and cannot be en-
forced.
s. IL is unequal, unjust and sectional in
Its design and operation and is princi-
pally urged by the representatives of
those states which will be least affected
by its provisions. 1t is an attack upon
the thrift, the energy and the enterprise
OF the north, rather than an honest effort
TO reach the accumulated wealth of the
country by constitutional and just means.
+. 1t is the revival Of an odious war tax
in time of profound peace.
THE EXEMPTION UNJUST.
L. The exemption of all incomes not ex-
ceeding $4,000, is an exemption unprece-
dented in the history of income tax legis-
lation here or anywhere in the world, and
stamps the measure as the most offensive
species of class legislation. While osten-
sibly aimed at the rich, il permits one
having an investment of $4,000 drawing
interest at per cent, to escape all taxa
ton under it. Whether it Injuries the
very rich or not, 1t clearly does not help
the poor. II is not based upon any con-
sistent theory. Either substantially all
incomes should be taxed, or none at all.
g. IL Is unjust and indefensible in its
determinations. 1t necessarily exempts
the income from S6S5 900 600 of govern
ment bonds, but denies the same exemp-'
tion to state bonds. IL exempts S4 900
from the individual income of citizen
derived from his general business, but
denies him the same exemption If his
income is derived from a corporate invest
ment. 1t unnecessarily and iniuriously
discriminates against corporate invest
ments by individuals.
THE BILL RETROACTIVE.
compels the payment of tax upon in
comes realized since Jan. l, 1894, being at
least six months before the passage of the
act, which should only apply to future in
comes If at ALL
10. 1t usurps those fields of revenue
which properly belong to the states. Tariff
taxation being exclusively under the CON
stitution the province of the federal gov
ernment, IL should mainly confine
fn Af afcfn %.
necessary revenues, without encroaching
upon the rights, preogatives and revenues
Of the states. This measure not only pro-
vides for income taxation proper but in
cludes an inheritance and gift tax, there
by trespassing upon field already occu-
pied by many Of the states Incomes, II
taxed at all, should be taxed by state
rather than federal authority. The
states are suffering more from lack of
sufficient and proper revenues than is the
general government. What are essen
TALLY local revenues should be reserved
for local purposes.
INQUIsTToRIAL AND OFFENSIVE.
H. It's provisions are inquisitorial and
offensive in their character. A citizen is
compelled TO give evidence against him
self and to submit TO the production and
inspection Of his books and papers The
political agents of the government are
vested with vast powers which are liable
to abuse. Taxation may be increased 100
per cent and other severe penalties may
be imposed. IL is system of taxation
adopted for monarchial government, but
unsuited for free government.
IL. IL violates the constitution because
itusurps those revenues derived from GER
tain domestic corporations which the
states have themselves created and the
revenues of which corporations the states
have set apart for the uses of their own
state governments. Those revenues can
not constitutionally be destroyed, di-
minished or interfered with by the gen
eral government. The proposed tax is an
attack upon the sovereignty of the states,
their reserved rights, the doctrine of
home rule, and every just principle of
government for which we have ever here
tofore contended.
WILL INCREASE TAXATION.
13. The absorption of these legitimate
state revenues by the general government
as here proposed, will necessarily lead TO
increased direct taxation by the states
ana add to the existing direct burdens Of
the people.
II. The tax proposed is double that
recommended by Secretary Carlisle
Is. 1t will duplicate taxation, create
friction, and promote conflict or conten-
ton between the government and the
states, is contrary to the esta blished
policy of the government, is a step
towards socialism, and is unwise from
every point of political expediency.
Mr.. Henderson asked Mr.. Hill whether
the paper which he had read was an in
dictment against the income taxsfeatures
of the bill
Mr.. Hill--It partakes Of that nature.
MIR. Manderson--I want 10 add another
count
Mr. Hill--There is ample opportunity
for great many more; but in my desire
20 be brief left out large numbe
Mr.. Henderson The count which ]
would add is: at creates class 10 pay
part of the expenses of the government
and is a step toward the creation of privi-
legged few constituting moneyed aristoc-
racy which, contributing from their
abundant revenues or incomes to the sup
port Of the government, will rule it.n
Mr.. Hill accept the amendment.
HILLS MOTION DEFEATED.
The question was taken on Mr. Hills
motion TO strike out all the income tax
sections OF the bill, and the motion was
rejected--yeas "a, nays 40.
There were only two Democratic sena-
tors, Messrs. Hill Of New York and
Smith of New Jersey voting in favor of
the motion but IL was stated by Mr..
Smith that his colleague (Mr. McPher-
SOM would vote In the same way If he
were present. The votes IN the negative
were given by the three populist senators
-Messrs Allen, KYLE and PETER. by