The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-06-06
AGAINST THE INCOME TAX.
IEETING OF NEW YORK BUSINESS
MEN, WHO MAKE A PROTEST.
Letter from Senator Hill, Who Takes
n Strong stand Against the Adop-
ton of the PIan-Has the Audacity
to Talk About Principles.

NEW YORK, June 1.-The business
mems. meeting in Carnegie music hall
this evening TO protest against the in
come tax feature of the proposed new
tariff bill was notable for the character
of the audience, number and enthusiasm
Of those who attended The call was
signed by nearly five hundred representa-
tives of the largest business interests of
the city. The platform was crowded
with gentlemen influential in the business
walks Of life. The auditorium contained
about one thousand people.
Col. William l.. Armstrong, president
of the Central national bank. called the
meeting to order and nominated for
chairman Of the evening President Evan
Thomas of the produce exchange and
for secretary Edward o. Dwyer Of the
democratic club. These were chosen.
Senator Hill wrote from Washington:
II regret that official enga gements here
will prevent my acceptance Of your cour-
teous invitation to be present at the
meeting Of the business men of. New
York on Friday evening 10 protest
against the Incorporation of an income
tax in the pending tariff bill. I need
y
sympathy with the purpose of your
meeting. An income tax feature has no
proper or legitimate place In a tariff
reform bill. II engenders and embar-
raises an honest, equitable revision OF
our tariff laws, which was expected, If
not desired. by citizens Of all parties.
The unfortunate effect to incorporate
it in the pending measure has delayed
speedy disposition of the tariff subject
and induced a surrender of nearly every
correct and consistent principle upon
which a tariff reform measure should be
based. 1t is clear that it would not be
adopted by congress if senators would
vote according to their conscientious con-
victions. rather than in pursuance of a
dicker. and a contemplate compromise
founded upon no principle and tolerated
only as a miserable makeshift or ex-
cused only as a temporary expedient
L am opposed to compromises where
questions Of essential principles are in
volved. 1t is immaterial whether this
scheme is popular or unpopular. or
whether it taxes the many for the bene-
fit of a few. or a few for the benefit OF
the many, it is equally indefensible, vi
cious and unreasonable.
las a representative. a citizen and
partisan, 1 have opposed this income tax
fully from the start. l am opposing il
now and I shall continue my opposition
to the end.
81 remain your fellow-citizen,
DAVID B. HILL"
Speeches were also made by President
Waldo Smith Of the Wholesale grocers'
association, Prof. T. Lewis, in behalf Of
the insurance companies; Louis Wind
muller of the Reform club; Frederick
Taylor in behalf of the bankers and
brokers of Wall-st.; Lawyer Simon
Stern. John p. Townsend of the Bowery
savings bank, Chairman Evan Thomas
and others. all in a view of earnest oppo-
sition to the income tax.
In addition to the resolution drawn
up several days ago memoralizing con-
gress against the income tax provision
Of tho pending tariff bill. the following
was adopted:
Resolved, That we call upon all the
business associat lions and organizations
of the several cities of the union to or
ganize without delay, by mass meetings
similar to our own, to voice the protest
of the great commercial interests affect
ed, so injuriously, by the proposed in
come tax law"
Secretary o. Dwyer said he had let
ters and kilograms from business men
and corporations all over the country.