New-York tribune., 1894-01-25
LIVELY SCENE IN THE HOUSE.
NEw-YORK DEMOCRATS TRY TO FILL
BUSTER AGAINST THE INCOME TAX.
THEY ARE DETERMINED TO FIGHT THE MEAS

THEY ARE DETERMINED TO FIGHT THE MEAS
URE By EVERY MEANS IN THEIR POWER.
Washington Jan 24.-The reporting Of the In
ternal Revenue BILL which includes a tax on IN
comes above $4,000 this afternoon, just before
the recess by Representative McMillin, chair
man of the sub Committee Of Ways and Means
in charge of the subject led TO a scene or much
turbulence the opponents Of the measure en-
dcavoring to prevent its reception by the HOUSE
Speaker Crisp hal just taken the gavel, reliev-
Ing Chairman Richardson. of the Committee OF
the Whole and the body was again in regular
session. Mr. McMiln. with a big bunch OF manu-
script In his hand. was standing in the aisle
waiting to obtain recognition. lie shouted MI
Speaker" but was preceded by Representatives
Bourke Cochran and Daniel y. Lockwood, whose
united "Mr. Speaker almost drowned the voice
Of the Tennessee statesman But Mr. McMillin.
nothing daunted, went on, Il am Instructed py
the Committee on Ways and Means to report
the accompanying BILL
The Speaker. however. recognized "the gentle
man from New-York" and both moved that the
House adjourn. their object being to prevent the
introduction of the bill.
These tactics apparently took the income tax
men by surprise but the instruction given
TO vote her down." and it was done in a mighty
shout
But the opponents Of the bill had rot yet
played out their hands "Tellers." demanded
Cochran and Lockwood But they could rally
only thirteen supporters and the demand Tor
tellers was refused. Yeas and nays. was the
next demand. but that met with no better fate.
While these proceedings were taking place, the
pit in front of the Speakers desk was crowded
with excited Representatives, and Mr. McMiliin
shouted. Il tell the gentlemen they VIII gain
nothing by these tactics He was correct.
When the yeas and nays were refused 0he Re-
publicans throughout the whole analr votng
with the income tax men. or refrainlng from
voting with the oppositon). Mr.. McMilin Sc
cured recognition, and the bill ana accompany
ing report were In possession Of the House.
When this had been accomplished round OF
applause was given by the income tax adVo-
Gates.
Mr. Tracy had still another shot in his locker
"a point of order" but the Speaker directed the
clerk TO proceed with the reading OF the 'itle
Of the bill. At its conclusion Speaker crisp
said: The bill and report will De referred 10
the Committee of the hole House on the State
Of the Union" and the business was done.
After adjournment Representative Cochran
was found in a state Of mingled disgust ana
Indignation Did you see the Republicans
voting with the friends of the bill?' he asked.
"It's plain to be seen who dictates the policy
OF this House"
The report OF Mr. McMlin which accompa-
MED the bill deals largely with the two sub
jccts-income tax and whiskey. Regarding the
former the report says that the Government
now collects annually from 900 to $780,
600 OOO less than per cent Of which Is paid by
the wealth OF the country. The taxes are
laid not upon what people possess. but upon
what they consume. This being the case. the
report continues, II mas seemed good To the
committee that the earnings of corporations
after deducting their operating expenses and
annual incomes in excess OF $4,000. should be
subjected 10 a tax, which will produce an esti-
mated revenue OF s30,000.000. Such a tax, the
committee believe. can be most easily and eco-
nomically collected Of all that have been sug-
gested 1t will require fewer additional enl-
ployes and according 10 statistics furnished by
the Treasury Department, Will cost only 10
per cent, while other revenue taxes cost "a
per cent.
The Ncw-York Democrats have pledged them
selves 10 prevent. By every parliamentary means
within their power the income tax men from
having an opportunity TO offer the Internal Key
enue bill as an amendment TO the Tariff bill
General Sickles. at their meeting this afternoon
offered an amendment pledgng the delegation to
vote against the Wilson bill II the income tax
was added TO It as amendment. but at the
request OF the entire delegation he withdrew 1t.