The sun., 1895-01-13
THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
Senator Teller Pleads for the Remoaetiza-
ton OF Silver.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 12.-The Urgent Def
cheney bill was again taken up in the Senate to-
day. the question being on Mr.. Morgan's motion
70 lay on the table Mr.. Hills appeal from the
decision OF the Chair. declaring oat Of order his
amendment to give tine United States courts
Jurisdiction TO decide the question of the con-
stitutionality and validity OF the income tax
But, as Mr.. Hill was absent on committee busi-
ness. Mr. Morgan withdrew his motion SO that
the debate might proceed.
Mr.. Teller (Rep.. COLI said that 100 years ago
the Supreme Court OF the United States laid
down a rule which governed the case of an in
pome tax. and that that rule had been followed
up to 1880 without any break. The Supreme
Court had declared in 1880 that the income tax
was constitutional, and had defined what is a
direct tax and what is not a direct tax In Ian
guage so plain that there could be no mistake
about it. He knew that the newspapers of late
had been filled with learned articles from
learned lawyers arguing that the income tax
was direct tax. lie know that an income tax
was an Objectionable tax: but he did not know
any tax that was not Objectionable. With
out the income tax there would be a
large deficit in the revenues OF the Gov
ernment-a deficit which the Secretary Of
the Treasury estimated at $50, 100000 for the
year: but II the present monthly deficit con-
tlnued, the deficit for the year would amount
To Sl0O, O,O0O, 900 instead of $20.000,000. With
that fact staring Senators in the face, any man
who proposed to abandon the income tax should
At the same time propose some other tax by
which the revenue of the country would be
kept up TO its expenditures. What the coun-
try was suffering from particularly was
lack of revenue, not a lack OF gold In the
Treasury II the revenue were ample there
would be no difficulty in acquiring gold,
and no question OF maintaining the parity
between the different kinds OF money.
So, no repeated, whoever attacked the
income tax should come prepared with some
method by which $50. 100000 year, the estl-
mated product OF all income tax, would be put
into the Treasury. II the income tax were re-
pealed. the deficiency would be increased by
Just sO much. In his judgment the time would
never come when the American people
would be without an income tax. II was
system OF revenue in every civilized
country, and II was the most equitable
method OF raising revenue when 1t was prop
srly adjusted. He did not himself approve
OF some provisions of the existing income tax.
He thought, for instance, that the $4,000 ex-
emption was too large. He thought that the
exemption should be confined 20 that class OF
men who earn their living by their daily labor.
would have TO have recourse ultimately TO sue
session tax. the British Goysrnment had done.
waste time in discussing the merits OF an in.
come tax
Mr.. Teller referred sarcastically to the fran
tic appeals" from the Executive Department 10
Congress to do something" and said: when
ever q member of the Executive Department
something, and has not a plan to present. II Is
good evidence that the Executive branch OF the
thing will not relieve u.s. We have been doing
'something.' We have got now TO do the right
thing. How are we 10 do ttI What is 10 be
doneY | 40 not know that we can agree as TO
what Is the right thing. Something might be
Done which would make matters worse. There
has heen no remedy proposed by tho Executive
department Of the Government in ten years
that will relieve tho present distress and change
the present unfortunate condition"
Mr.. Teller then proceeded To critcise Secre-
tary CArltsles currency bill, as offered In the
House OF Representatives, and spoke OF II As
oil which for cTudities and absurdities has
had few equals IN this or any other Congress,
1T Is bill he continued. (which, II IL had
teen introduced by any member OF the Populist
party, would have been regarded as the height
~ lunAcy. and yet II has come branded with
the eIpToYsl Of the Secretary Of the Treasury