The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-24
NEEDS A MICROSCOPES.


Representative 8Ic3Iiuin Tries to show
What the Democratic Party Has Done
WASHINGTON, Aug. Representative
McMillin has inserted in the Congress
sional Record a speech intended as a
summary of what the present congress
has accomplished. Mr.. McMillin's asso-
ciates have deferred 70 him in preparing
this statement, and it is a semi-official
showing, from political standpoint, of
what the majority has done. After re-
viewing what laws it has heretofore
framed. Mr.. McMillin says:
Il come to a few things it has done
during this administration. 1t has re-
pealed all force laws and left actions
free. 1t found a system of oppressive
laws on the statute books, authorized the
use Of troOps'at the polls and he repeal
ed them. In the dark days of the repub-
lie the Republican party also enacted
law authorizing the United States super
visors Of elections aud deputy marshals
to be appointed by the federal courts
wholly independent of the states where
the elections were to be held They
we're expected to dominate and did
dominate the elections
Thousands of men were arrested
without cause and imprisoned within the
states of New York, Ohio and Indiana in
a single election aud imprisoned to pre-
vent them from voting. They were
without the formality Of Indictment, pre-
sentiment, arraignment or trial The
Democratic party determined this should
not continue. To repeal it, it forced an
extra session of congress in 1879 and
passed the repeating bill
Mr.. Hayes vetoed il. But il has kept
up tile fight nearly sixth of century
and at last has triumphed during
this administration. 1t has repealed
the law authorizing the president
to levy and remit taxes. It cannot con-
ceive Of a surrender Of great preroga-
tive more dangerous and unpardonable
than this We denounced it at the time
in this hall. We went forth to the peo-
pie and denounced it We pledged them
in our platform that if intrusted with
power we would take this ancient right
from the president and give it back to
the peoples representatives. We have
now kept this promise.
This congress has also authorized the
states to tax greenbacks and other United
States currency. For years the exemp-
ton Of these has been a crying i'll. The
law authorizing the issue of green
backs and the treas urv warrants under
the Sherman act exempted them from
state, county and municipal taxation.
Hundreds of millions thereby escaped all
taxation. Individuals escaped it by
having their funds in banks nominally
invested in green backs or treasury war
rants on the day of assessment.
Blanks accomplished the same object
in the same way. No doubt can exist
that in some banks the United States
warrants were placed to the credit of
more individuals on the day for assess
ment to escape municipal and state
taxes. 1t Is also charged that certain
banks would aid each other in different
states by changing their treasury War
rant deposits from one to the other &c
suit the different days for assessment ex-
listing in different states.
"All this is stopped now under the bill
introduced and passed by the gentleman
/ from Indiana Cur. Cooper, all Uniled
j States currency heretofore escaping taxa
ton will be reached by the tax gAtherer
/ United States treasury warrants known
as green backs and the bills issued under
4 the Sherman bill amount to about a hall
a million dollars and the country owes
him debt Of gratitude for his patriotic
/ exertiOn.V
Mr. McMillin next reviews the reduc-
tions Of applications heretofore set forth
/ by Representative Sayers Of the appro-
] priation committee. He then continues
/ against trusts ever enacted in this coun.
try At the same time the attorney gen
eral has instituted proceedings in the
courts to try to dissolve illegal trusts
"The amendment offered by the sena
tor from Alabama Mr. Morgan) carrie:
vet devised for controlling and curbino
the power of trusts. A law against then
was passed last congress, but 1t dealt with
the question in a way SO mild and gin
gerry that it has not been fOstered under
protection. The Democratic party wa:
/ pledged to the enactment of more strin
/ gent legislation against trusts. 1t hal
kept this pledge and offers this as its
fulfllment. 1t has inaugurated an in
come tax. thereby taking taxes off wan
and putting them wealth.
1t is true the senate amendments have
changed somewhat this feature Of trouble
and have released some that ought L
| have been taxed. Still il remains grea
| benefit to the American people. 1t founC
the treasury bankrupt, and by the tariff
bill is not only replenishing il, but at th'
same time reducing taxes"
Mr.. McMillin then reviews the repea
of the Sherman silver law, aud gives al
elaborate summary Of the tariff
By FORCE OF ARMS.