Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-21
He Vigorously Attacks the Income
Feature Of the Tariff Bill.
CRITICISING DEMOCRATIC LEADERS,
Who, He Says, Are Driving the
Party to Political Ruin.
RECALLING PARTY PLEDGES

The battle over the income tax feature Of
! the tariff bill began today Senator Hill of
| New York early in the morning got the floor
and addressed the Senate He said:
1T Is confidently submitted to the Senate
that the arguments presented in opposition
| to the necessity. justice and advisability of
any such tax have never been successfully
| answered. The arguments have been evaded,
but not refuted. In the first place. consid-
cred from the mere standpoint of political
expediency, 1t was unwise to incorporate an
income tax in a reform bill. There were
honest differences enough already existing
| among party friends relating to the details
of legitimate tariff legislation. which neces-
| sarily had to be reconciled, without going
out of our way to seek fresh causes of con-
tention in an effort to incorporate this tax.
AN experimental scheme of taxation at best,
upon 4 measure for the revision of the tar
ir. The democratic party was substantially
united in favor of tariff revision. but 1t is
well known that irreccnciable differences
of opinion existed concerning the propriety
of restoring war tax in time of peace, and
yet, In spite OF such recognized differences.
and In the face Of the protests Of demo-
cratic constituencies, and against the advice
of public men who have never faltered in
their devotion to true democratic principles,
this income tax feature has been engrafted
upon this measure and We are persistently
ment as a condition Of obtaining any tariff
legislation.
'It would have been good politics to have
avoided this unnecessary issue. Prudence
die tated that this Congress should not at
tempt to formulate new democratic doc
trInes to which We have never been COM
mitted. Rather should 1t carry out the
pledges that We have already made. Per-
haps l overestimate the Importance OF
party platforms and appreciate too keenly
the binding obligations of party pledges. 1
believe that 1t Is the solemn duty of po-
iiticai party to redeem the promises upon
which 1t obtained power, and that repudia-
! tion thereof win sooner or later bring dis
aster upon 1t at the hands Of a betrayed
and indignant people.
A Spectacle He Regretted.
II regret the spectacle which We have re-
Gently witnessed, of democratic execu-
tive nominating and a democratic Senate
confirming officials for the territories and
for the District Of Columbia who were nom
residents thereof. in violation Of the prin-
ciple Of nome rule and the explicit provi-
sions Of the Chicago platform.
We have recently seen democratic
House Of Representatives refuse to repeal a
federal tax upon state bank circulation
such repeal having been expressly favored
In our national platform-while the same
House went out OF its way to inject a popu-
listic Income tax in democratic tariff bill,
and the Senate is now asked to ratify 4 por-
ton Of such Inconsistent action. For one
protest against the Reputation Of the prom
ises of the democratic party IN order to
',,ss aoop, ana carry oW us speafhe
Senator Hin said that 1t was also impru-
dent and unjust to Angraft the income tax
provision on the tariff BILL because IL was
well-known principle of legislation 70
Keep revenue and appropriation bills free
from experimental and Extraordinary legis-
iation. The provision was fulfillment OF
no democratic doctrine or promise II con-
sidered at all. 1t should have been intro
duced and acted upon as a separate meas
ure.
II am tempted to suggest" continued Mr.
Hlil, that the democrats Of Oregon re-
Gently sought to test the popularity Of an
income tax among the business men and
electors Of that state by inserting In their
platform q clause favoring the tax and
awakening to their senses after the election
when they discovered that their ticket was
third in the race. that their party was demor-
allied and that they had divided themselves
ir stead OF dividing their opponents The
most disastrous defeat ever experienced by
the democratic party in Oregon was the re-
suit Of the effort to substitute newfanRled
populistie principles for the good old prin-
1 venture the prediction that the same re-
suit will follow the same effort everywhere"
Senator Hill presented a petition from a
number OF prominent business men of New
York city. asking that the income tax be
stricken from the tariff bill The petition
was signed by Evan Thomas William
Steinway. Louis Windmuller. J. Edward
Simmonds, s. d. Babcock, w. Bayard cut
ting. John H. Inman and Alexander Orr.
IL" said Mr.. Hill, do not wish to drive
such men out of the democratic party by
our unwise legislation. In the hope of sup
plying their places with Abdullamites. Cox
eyites, socialists. and all the regtag and
bobtair elements Of the com munity, who
VIII be attracted by our proposed raid upon
the wealth OF the country"
The English Precedent.
Tn h.
had long maintained an income tax and con-
sequently 1t would be a wise policy in this
country, Mr.. Hill ridiculed the idea that the
United States should COPY its legislation
flom country whose form of government
natural surroundings and obligations were
essentially different He maintained also
that England tolerated rather than ap-
proved the Income tax and that frauds and
perjuries under that law were frequent
The highest ambition of every American
dude, he said. Seems to be to ape English
customs and manners. Our Civil service
laws were borrowed from Great Britain
and although 1t was loudly proclaimed that
they were TO renovate and purify our whole
political system, and while they have tended
10 establish permanent office-holding class,
1t is questionable whether they have been
productive Of any substantial or genuine re-
form. The political conditions of this coun-
try are SO different from those of England
that the successful enforcement Of English
laws, or laws founded upon English IDEAS
must necessarily encounter great difficulties
here, where political parties rather than
royal families administer the government
and frequent change Of parties inevitably
occurs.
THE public" he said. want some better
reason for the adoption Of an income tax
than the mere fact that England maintains
one. She also main tains a monarchical gov
ernment, a crowned head, an hereditary
house Of lords, restricted suffrage, an
enormous national debt, an immense stand
ing army, an established church, q colossal
governmental bank and a score of other
things and institutions which conflict with
our notions of liberty, justice and equality
and which would not be tolerated in re-
public like ours. Those who cite England as
a precedent for us to follow forget that Glad
stone himself does not attempt to justify the
English income tax and admits that he has
sought to abolish 1t. l read his letter to
that effect In my previous remarks. No En-
gish statesman Of any repute has ever de-
Tended IL except as tax to be levied only
in times of war or to meet subsequent de-
fciencies traceable to the enormous ex-
pcndtures of war.
England has maintained it for SO many
years because she has constantly been upon
a war footing. and has need ed it's revenues
for semi-war purposes. Pc tr!otic English
men will cheerfully submit to almost any
eXtortlon when they are assured by the
prime minister that the taxes are needed
for the preservation of the honor and glory
Of old England. When they sometimes be-
nd ,tat,, ed