The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-05-24
ALTOGETHER UNNECESSARY

case, tney are merely agltated TO keep
up a political confederation they in
variably perish in the inception.
Two years ago, when the independ-
emit movement was first heard of
in this county, things were very diff
ferent from now. Then a ticket had
been nominated by the Democratic
primaries which caused great deal
of dissatisfaction and the natural out
come of this dissatisfaction was IA bolt
by number of Democrats and neces-
sary fusion with the opposition party
to secure success. The Democratic
voters who bolted at that time, how
ever, did not intend nor desire to
sever their allegiance to their party
except for the time being, and having
accomplished their object were avow-
eddy willing and anxious to see a re-
united Democracy in this county
The almost universal sentiment
among Democrats now is to have the
cleanest, strongest ticket nominated
that is possible, without regard to per-
sonal friendships. Our primaries are
to be held by popular vote, and no
man can dare predict in advance that
unfit men will be selected Therefore
it is impossible to see why a nomina-
ting meeting should be called two
months in advance of the Democratic
primary. election to select candidates
who are to be forced onto the people,
unless it be done merely at the in
stance of few men who wish to die
tate the politics of Hartford county.
A large number of gentlemen who
frankly admit their participation in
the independent movement of 1893
have expressed themselves as disgust
ed with the manifesto. They accom-
plished what they wished and are de-
sirous of seeing a united and trium-
plant Democracy this fall. This is
partic ularly desirable at this time as
the Republican party is making such
a determined to fight to secure control
of the State. They see no need for
any independent movement now and
will not join in it.
1t is very doubtful if any competent
men can be found to accept a nomina-
ton by the committee. Our primaries
are held with the express understand
ing that all who participate are in hon
or bound to support the ticket nomi-
HunI,l1 no orlyn h Z.
statement for candidate to make
that he would support the Democra-
tic ticket if nominated but if not sue
cessful he would fight it. Few men of
fair minds would care to place them
selves in such a situation.
We have already in this county a
large and intelligent Democracy, a
particularly aggressive Republican
party and small but lively Prohibi-
ton party There is no room fer a
fourth party.
NO INCOME-TAX.
The decision of the United States
Supreme Court which was announced
last Monday, declaring the whole in
come-tax law unconstitutional and
void, created but very little surprise
and was received with general salts
faction except by the Populists. The
feature of the case which caused most
comment was that Justice jackson,
whose vote was expected to decide the
fate of the law, voted to uphold it
while Justice Shiras changed his opiD-
ion and voted with the majority. Prob
ably the reargument by able counsel
gave him additional light.
The iDcome-tax idea has never been
popular in this country, even among
those who can never possibly expect
to pay any portion of it whatever
The necessary close scrutiny by the
government into the private affairs of
individuals is repugnant to the Amer
lean idea of liberty, and it does not
seem to be just to tax men ON the
fruits of extra industry and intelli-
gence. A tax on inheritances would
probably meet with much popularap-
prevail.
1t must be remembered that the in
come-tax idea was not advanced and
supported by Democrats with any be-
lief in its desirability as a means of
raising revenue. At the time of pass
ing the tariff bill it was found that
the expenses of the government had
been swelled by Republican profiigay
and extravaganza to such an amount
that if the customs duties were to be
lowered to such point as to give ap-
preciable relief to the people, some
other means or source of revenue must
be resorted to. The internal revenue
taxes on tobacco and spirits were in
creased to the highest point practical
BILE as revenue producers and the es-
Inmates still showed a deficiency. The
income-tax was then resorted to and
found favor with the Southern and
Western representatives in Congress.
After the former decision of the Su-
preme Court had left it such a mass
of incongruities and absurdities, how
ever, even its warmest supporters lost
faith in it and now that the Supreme
Court has nullified the whole law the
pet idea of the Populists has but few
mourners.
But little concern need be felt as to
the effect of the loss of the income
tax upon the revenues of the govern
ment. The law at best would have
added but little over SIS, 600, 900 and a
large portion of this would have been
swallowed up in the expenses of col
lecting. With the marked improve
ment in business, the usual sources of
revenue will probably soon be found
amply sufficient for all the needs of
the government, economically admin
istered.
The French steamer LaGascogne,
Captain Baudelon, which was four
days overdue, arrived safely at New
York last Wednesday afternoon. La
Gascogne's remarkable voyage of last
February will be remembered. The
ship came in safely at that time after
nearly every one had given her up as
lost.
l.