The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-01
ANOTHER THEORY CRUSHED.

In the last national campaign the lead
ing plank In the Democratic platform con-
tanned the declaration that the Republi-
can protective system was unconstitu-
tionai. The Democratic party came into
power. and. having complete control of the
legislative and executive branches OF the
government. proceeded. after great expen-
necessary revenues OF the government, on
the lines of the Democratic platform. and
erabodying the DEMOCRATIC idea of what
were constitutional methods of taxation.
There il in this country a tribunal in
which is reposed the power of definitely
and finally passing on all questions touch
ing the constitutionality OF Federal stat
utes. That tribunal. fortunately for the
country, Is not the Democratic national
convention. but the supreme court of the
United States. The Democratic tariff
measure was brought into the supreme
court 10 have It's constitutionality deter
mined, and II has been held by that tri-
bunal that one of the most important Sec
tons Of that law. which was relied on to
raise considerable portion of the reve-
nues, was void, as conflicting with the
fundamental law of the land.
Incident TO the decision, the supreme
court In substance held that the proper
constitutional method OF raising revenues
for the Federal government was by the
taxation of imports. The language of the
court was SO worded that the decision is
interpreted in some quarters as intimating
that much of the internal revenue tax is
of doubtful constitutionality, but there is
little reason to think the court will ever
so quite that far. The decision of the
court. Joined In by two Democratic judges.
is n death blow TO the free traders, and an
ample recognition OF the fact that the Re-
publican revenue policy is the only consti-
tutionai method of taxation.
We say that the decision is death
blow 20 free trade. Even the most ar
dent free trader must admit that 1T is
necessary for the government to have
revenue. 1t cannot raise this revenue by
an income tax or any other species OF
direct tax levied in any way except on the
several states on the basis of population.
Internal revenue taxes have always been
bitterly obnoxious to the people of the
country. except those at present imposed
on spirits. tobacco and beer. Except that
on beer alone. there is little opportunity
TO raise much more money from these
sources. and in no event could enough be
moiety or the government expenses. Di-
rect taxation on the basis of population
viii never be resorted TO again except as
n war measure. IL is one OF the most
inequitable OF all taxes. compelling the
poorer states TO pay as much per capita
as the richer ones. In operation II is
precisely identical to an attempt to raise
all the revenues of state by a capitation
tax on all inhabitants alike. without re-
gard TO their wealth or capacity TO pay.
There is practically nothing left 10 pro-
vide the bulk OF the necessary revenues
OF the Federal government except the
taxes on imports. On the custom house
rests and always will rest the burden OF
collecting the moneys to pay the ex-
penses OF the Federal administration
BY the decision % the supreme court
the Democrats theories as 10 the consti-
tuuonal method OF raising revenue have
been completely refuted. That which the
Democrats declared was an unoonstitu-
tional method OF taxation. the supreme
court has declared TO be constitutional.
and that which the Democrats declared
was a constitutional method the supreme
court has held to be in violation Of the
organic law.
The Democratic party at one time at
tempted to pose as the party OF the con
stitution. bat all of its theories as 10 the
construction os that instrument. have
either been abandoned as obsolete or
ruthlessly shattered by adverse decisions
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