New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-05
THE CONGRESSIONAL SITUATION.

Notbing good can he expected from Congress
during the rest of this session. 1T started Wrohs'
and has been controlled by false NOTIONS from
the first, and an overwhelming popular deteat
does not seem to have brought out the pest vi
Democratic statesmen. Probably they VIII ho'
dare 10 correct even the most obvious ana grave
deficiencies in the new tariff, because the! ap'
prchend that they may be plunged INTO inter-
minoblc debate on that subject, and serious
changes may possibly be favored by majority
IN other house The necessities Of the Treasury
vxould receive attention. undoubtedly, but Tor
,he wildcat banking scheme which blocks the
way II is questionable whether Congress VIII
cot ANYTHING done that it ought TO do, because
this measure and the bill 10 provide for the col
,ec,ion of the income tax are in the way, ana
u,il, no &c they ought to be, stubborny resisted.
,rbere ore many who believe that the pro
visions of the income tax may be defeated. so
that the fax itself may be rendered innocuous.
Perbaps II is a little too much to expect. but
t. would he we'll for the country if the collection
of this tax could be prevented. The tax Is indie
cent and offensive at the best IL slouiu h''ci
have becn imposed. Probably this same Con-
cress would not have ventured TO impose 'ne
income tax II it had not hoped for very different
results from Inc tlPcllOu III 'Hc '''''''' ''
Southcrn States. But in view of the decision
Of the people in those and other States, II Is per
hans not too much 10 expect that members Oh
Congress may see their way to abandon poiic!
which has been so distinctly condemned.
There ought to be general agreement among
Congressmen Of both parties To reverse, rs i"r
as possible the mischievouS ana dangerous
action of the last session. The people nave some
right 10 be heard There Is no room 10 douot
the meaning Of their verdict They nave decideu
that Congress ought 10 go no further in the dl-
rection marked ont by its action ana lis com
mttees at the first session. and II is clearly Their
wish that its action should be as far as possible
reversed There ought 10 be no feeling of hesi-
tation on the part of the Democratic majority
IN nreyent ready submission to the Will or the
noonIe IN this matter. 1t is their Government.
The Democratic party has had ample oppor-
tunity TO test It's theories ana has gwen SUCH IN
preston 10 its theories as IT saw H. ana '"e
people without hesitation condemn the couisc
il has chosen thus far. AS to the income 'aA'
one thing at least is clear that While II was tx
pectcd TO save the Democratic party IN western
and Southern States. 1t has entirely 1aileu 10
strengthen 1t in that quarter, but has uhdouo'eu
" contributed largely 10 the defeat OF lhe parl!
I'm the Eastern States. The best thing tiat could
hoppen for the Democratic party, 1t Is probaDle
would be the failure TO provide for collection or
the income tax, SO that the people may never
cawe to feel this particular burden or reaiizc
its offensiveness.
II is too much to expect that Congress VIII
materially alter the revenue bill or give serious
attention to the duties on sugar or To The tax Oh
whiskey Whatever has been granted to the
monopoles by means Of these imposiiions VIII
remain until a Republican Congress has oppor-
mnity 10 revise the revenue law. But IT would
he well if Congress would make provision at
once for raising money 10 meet tie necessihes
az the Government and this it ought To do Ivy
providing for popular loan at a low rate OF IN
terest The dissolution e the bond syndicate
makes IT only TOO clear that the Government VIII
not be able TO raise much money III future by
appealing to the bankers and financers OF this
and other countries and if 1t does not provide
means for raising money by direct appeal to the
people II is exceedingly likely to be embarrassed
within the next year.