Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-02-01
INCOME TAX.
McMinin Opens the Debate in the
House.
FOLLOWED BY TARSyEY AND OTHERS.
Most OF the Speakers Favor the Impost'
which They Think wnl Be
Relief to the
Poor.

WAsHINGToN, Jan. 80. The debate
on tNs internal revenue amendment TO
the Wilson tariff bill, including the
provision for the income tax, began
In the house yesterday, after Mr.
McCreary, chairman OF the foreign
affaira committee, had reported his
resolution expressing the sense Of the
house on the Hawaiian situation. Mr.
MoMiilin dem, OF Tennessee, chair
man Of the subcommittee on ways and
means on internal revenue, was imme-
diately recognized, and, according 10
the caucus programme, offered as an
amendment 10 the provision imposing
q tax OF ti per 1000 upon cigarettes,
the emit re Internal revenue bill
When reading was completed Mr..
McMillln was recognized 10 open the
debate in favor OF the amendment As
he was about 10 begin Mr. Tracey
(dem J, OF New York, asked 10 reserve
all points Of order on the amendment
Messra McMillin and McCreary con-
tended that IL was too late to make n
point OF order, debate upon the amend
ment having been entered upon before
the point was made.
The chair overruled the point and
Mr.. McMlllin began his argument in
favor OF income tax
Mr.. Tarsney, n democratic member
Of the ways and means committee, fol-
lowed The income was first resorted
10, said he In dark days OF the civil
war. When the war ended and the
people began demanding reduction
OF their excessive burdens instead OF
taking the taxes of the necessities Of
life by lowering the tariff rates one by
one the internal revenue taxes were re-
moved.
The taxes, which the rich were able
10 bear, were repealed; the taxes Of the
poor were retained. This was unjust;
men should pay according to their
wealth for the support and protection
Of the government
Mr.. Dinsmore (dem), OF Arkansas,
said this hour was an auspicious one,
as II marked new era In taxation. IL
meant that the wealth Of the country
was to pay just tribute TO the govern
ment for the benefits IL received from
the governmental system. II meant
was TO he taken from the shoulders OF
the poor
Mr. Daniels (repl, OF New York,
called attention to the hostile attitude
occupied by the democratic party to-
ward the income tax for years, and the
words OF great democratic leaders, like
Samuel J. Tilden, In condemnation OF
IL lie proceeded with careful argu-
Inent against the income tax
Mr. Williams dem }, Of Mississippi
supported the income tax He quoted
from eminent political economists in
support of the principle OF an income
tax. lie challenged any one 20 point
out single economist OF note, barring.
possibly, MIR. Howell, Of Johns Hopkins
who had not indorsed an
income tax.
Mr.. Covert (dem.), Of New York, In
the action OF the ways and
means committee contended that the
OF tariff reform was well
during the campaign of
1902. Free trade was not spoken OF cx-
rept In condemnation OF IT,, Tariff re-
form was understood To be judicial
revision Of the dutiabfc list, tho reduc.
lion only of duty upon u particular in
hustry protected.
Mr.. Kilgore (dem.l, of Texas, was
the first speaker ut the night session.
He devoted his remarks largely TO
defense of the Walker tariff act Of
1870 That was purely tax for rev
enue, said Mr.. kilgore, aud while II
reduced the duties on nearly every ar
ticle to an average Of rs or 10 per cent.
II was universally satisfactory.
MIR. Mcdonald (dem. of Illinois, then
addressed the committee. lie said
that the tariff tax was inquisitorial
and conductive to perjury as was shown
by the investigation Of the baggage of
incoming people ut the docks OF the
large ns-Atlantic steamers.
lie was followed by Mr. Stockdale
(dem.), OF Mississippi who, following
the line Of argument OF the preceding
speaker, expressed surprise that any
man on the floor should assert that his
constituents would commit perjury in
order TO escape the tax. Mr., Lynch
tdem.), of Wisconsin, was the next
speaker. He was followed by Mr. Will
liams (dem.), Of Mississippi, who gave
n history Of income taxes in modern
times In England, he said, It was inn.
posed, as II is proposed to apply 1t here,
ms an aid TO tariff reform.
-
Flags Torn Down.