Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-16
EDNESDAY.....JANUARY 16, 1896.
German and Hill-The Income.Tax.

MIR. German described correctly the
Democratic leaders OF New York when
he styled them "uncompromising."
Of Northern New York." he said. (which
seems to make II impossible for a states
man from that section ever to COM
premise" Yes. these Democrats OF New
YORK nave had their own way 80 long.
and they control so much money. that
they have come TO regard themselves
as entitled 10 have any concessions made
their interest to ask for. To her has
TOR years been given the Democratic
nominee for President OF the United
states. In 1858. seymour; in 1872. Greeley
Though there was no regular Democratic
nominee); in 1876. Tilden; in 1850. General
Hancock (nominaliy from Pennsylvania;
in 1891, Cleveland; in 1883, Cleveland; In
lS2. Cleveland; and In 1896 New York will
no doubt claim the nominee again. 1t
IS "all right" think the New Workers.
for them to dictate TO the rest OF the
country.
No man has grown more in public esti-
nation within the last two years than
Sir. Hill. Since he has been a member
Of the Senate 1t has been discovered
that he is not IA mere politician, but
Is entitled TO be classed among states
men. Nevertheless, even his warm
admirers cannot justify his attempt 10
nullify the existing law taxing incomes.
His proposition. said MIR. German, truly
would enable any taxpayer TO suspend
that law, and TO prevent any revenue
from IL from coming into the Treasury
until every question that might be raised
by every unwilling taxpayer should be
decided b. the Supreme Court OF the
United States. And If such a course may
be followed in the case under consider
alton. IL may he pursued whenever n
member OF either house of Congress may
choose thus to treat any law which he
does not Nke-that is, II a bill comes
UP to appropriate money for the execu-
ton OF such a law. Mr.. Hill would
thus by indirect methods repeal an act
OF Congress-nay would repeal 1t by
passing a bill purporting TO be a bill TO
carry 1t INTO operation.
Mr.. Hill is a candidate, no doubt, Tor
the next Democratic nomination for
President. Yet. all must admit that he
speaks and acts as If he had never had
a thought on that subject TO pass through
his mind. HIS speech Of the 10th in the
United States enate against the income
tax is the ablest one which has appeared
In the Congressional Record. Indeed. IL
was a peculiar one-a remarkable one.
II contains references to Mr.. Gladstone.
Adam Smith. Mr.. Justice Miller Chis
Illogical contention'J. Wheaton. Mar
shall, the supreme Court OF the United
states, baltimore. Cooley. and we VIII
not undertake TO say how many others.
Whilst we say this. we must say. also.
that though Mr.. Hill endeavored to prove
that the income-tax Is ununiform. and
addressed himself at length 10 his point,
he signally failed $50. at least, 1t appears
10 us) TO make this point.
Mr.. Hill ~justiiies his course in regard
10 the law taxing incomes by saying
that though the courts are bound by the
decisions OF the Supreme Court OF the
United states, every senator can. under
his oath Of office. when acting in a legis-
lative capacity. be governed by his own
convictions in regard TO the obligation
imposed upon him by the Constitution.
This claim will not be denied. but does
not Justify Mr.. liills course.