The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-26
The Responsibility for the Income Tax
D.snster.

whether the income tax supplement to
tho WILSON Tariff bill passes the House or
fails to pass. the effect upon the fortunes OF
the Democracy will be disastrous.
In one case. tho PARTY will have taken up
and put through Populstic measure
strange to toe Democratic platform. re-
puGnant to every Democratic principle, and
incomparably odious to the country. In
the other case. the PARTY will have incurred
all OF the odum OF the attempt. with tho
additional humiliation Of failure.
Upon which horn Of tho dilemma the
Democracy Is presently TO be- inlpulcd. de-
ponds largely upon the course adopted by
the Republicans in tho House. under the
smart leadership Of Mr.. RrTp. Tho disno-
sition of the Republicans jus; now seems to
be to assist the majority in every possible
way to commit suicide by the more violent
method.
Are the bowling Populists responsible for
che present ignominous position and dis
NAL prospects of the Democracy? Not hit
Of it. II all OF the Populistlc and Socalistic
voters In tho United States had marched in
mob upon Washington, waving their red
banners, they could not have forced the
Democratic party 10 tear rp its own Chi
caso platform and 20 adopt the Omaha plat
form OF the so-caliod Peoples party.
Is tue responsibility with the scctionalist
Democrats. like MCSlILI.iS OF Tennessee.
who want to pile their own share OF the
burden OF taxation upon other peoples
shoulders. no matter by what trick No.
They have merely taken advantage Of the
opportunity thrust under their eyes and
noses by the CLEVELAND Administration.
and It's agent in the House Committee on
Ways and Means.
The supporters OF the Administration ar"
now pretending TO regret the immirent
prospect of Income tax legislation. and In
disclaim responsibility on the part of Mr.
CLEVELAND and Professor WILSON.
Let us he" how this Unreasonable
blunder Inns been fastened uron tho De-
mocracy. and who fastened iU.
When AIR. CLEVELAND aud Professor
WILSON cunspircd to defeat the tariff pru-
Eramme announced in the platform which
they We're elected to carry our; when they
abandoned the fundamental. Democratic
principle Of II tarlf for revenue only and
undertook 20 make a tariff for protection and
foI an $50. OO0. 0O0 deficiency, to 10 supplied
somehow. no matter how. tat not by the
Custom Houses. they opeEad the way for
tho income TAX. II they had GoHe their
plain duty as Democrats and honest men.
there would have been no more prospect to-
day Of an income Tux than OF tax on
dwelling houses according To tho number
of windows,
When Mr.. CLEvELtSD in his annual mes
sage to Congress recommended the enact
nent Of n tax upon incomes derived from
corporate Investments, la gave \ trencn-
doas impetus 10 tho projects Of the dis
guse'! PopuIsts within thc Dcmocr IT,
party. There Is no difference in principle
between u direct ana uncoistitutionai lax
upon tho incomes OF individuals from corps
rate associations. and direct tax ulnu tho
incomes Of individuals rs individuals Mr..
CLEVELAND declared fpr cac. ard has there
fore encouraged and prerpitated the other.
He has even PIT IL out ~ his own puwer TO
veto an individual income tax law upon
the plain and simple constitutional grounds
Otherwise at his disposal for effective use in
such public emergency
iucompetcncy, cowardice. treachery. and
inconceivable folly: that is the whole story
OF Democratic leadership in this tariff BUSH
ness Aud the principal responsibility for
the inrome tax disaster is about equally
divided between GROVER CLEVELAND aud
WILLIAM LIGHTWEIGHT WILSON