The record-union., 1896-11-24
Looks for Nothing Outside OF Usual
Appropriation Bills.
Advances Propositions Relating to
the Raising of Revenues-Would
Support Bill Increasing the Tax
by One Dollar on Beer. Wnicn
Would Add Thirty Million Dollars
to the Revenue.

WASHINGTON, Nov. Ex-senator ].
X Jones, Chairman of the National
Democratic Committee, reached Wash
ington this afternoon, and will remain
here until Congress adjourns. A re-
porter of the United Associated Presses
saw him at his home shortly after his
arrival. to whom the Senator talked
frankly and entertainingly upon sew
eral matters of current interest. He is
looking remarkably we'll. He had just
come from his hunting trip in South
ern Missouri in company with Mr..
Bryan and Governor Stone of Mis-
souri,
The weather was too dry" said the
Senator ito bag much game. The
leaves were so dry that it was impossi-
BILE owing to the noise of the rustic, to
get within a quarter of a mile of
deer
L have no idea" said Senator Jones.
answering question regarding the
probable legislation of the approach
ing session of Congress, that anything
Will be done aside from passing the
usual appropriation bills. AS to the
Dingley bill, what is there in present
conditions to make it any more accep-
table or necessary than it was last ses-
sion?''
Discussing plans for raising revenue,
Senator Jones advanced several inter
esting propositions. Many Of the man
ufacturers," he said, who supported
Mckinley will doubtless be surprised
at the character Of the bill that will
be presented to the country. The con-
ditions that existed when the McKin-
ley bill of 1890 was passed were very
different from those that will confront
Congress when it comes to deal with
the question. Then there was a sur
plus to be dissipated; now there is
considerable deficiency to be considered.
That will make necessary a radically
different sort of measure.
For myself" said the Senator, 81
should support a bill to increase the
tax on beer by 81 a barrel In the
first place, the alcohol in beer does not
pay an equal tax with that in whisky
and in the second place, it is tax that
can be easily borne. / do not think
that tobacco should be taxed 10 any
greater amount than is now levied. II
is the one thing that the poor man al
most universally uses, and he should
be spared an additional impost. The
same thing is true of coffee, and in
less degree of tea, and for that reason
do not favor taxes on them. The
beer tax should be an Independent
proposition. It will add $4,000, 900 to
the revenues. and if 1t be put in a bin
by itself the money would come in at
once.
AS TO the income tax, have not ex-
amined the decision of the Supreme
Court with a view of determining
whether or not a measure could be
passed which would produce revenue
from that source without waiting for an
amendment to the Constitution. A per
capita tax might be levied" said the
Senator, out l am opposed to taxing
poverty. l think the property and
wealth Of the country should bear the
cost of government. Of course the poor
man receives just as much and the same
benefits from cur institutions as the rich
man, but they should be given to him
just as public schools are given to him.
What will be the policy of the Dem
ocratic Committee? VIII it continue
the fight, as the Republican Committee
has been reported as decided to do, by
maintaining headquarters in the in
term between campaigns and educat-
ing the people by the issue of litera-
ture?"
THAT has not yet been officially de-
cided," the Senator answered, and il
will not be until after consultation. the
date of which has not yet been settled
1t viii probably not be until after Con
gress meets, but / think you can say
that the fight will be kept up until the
When Will that be?''
when the people of the United States
have expressed their opinion directly
upon the question of restoring silver to
the position II occupied prior to 1873
The platform Of the Republican conven-
ton was q straddle; 1t did not declare
for the single gold standard. but only
for its maintenance until bimetallism
could be secured by international agree
ment / have been assured since the
election by Republicans, some of wide
reputation, that thousands Of them
voted for Major Mckinley because they
believed him to be a bimetallist, and
that as much wouid be done for silver
under his Administration as could be
accomplished were Bryan to be elected;
and Il would be secured too. without
the danger OF disturbances that We're
expected in case of Bryan's election
There We're behind Major Mckinley n
large conservative element which dis
trusted the radical supporters OF Bry-
an, afraid to trust them with the adj
min8stTa.ion Of affairs. But the Repub-
leans are not united upon this ques-
ton, and they viii have to settle the
matter among themselves between now
and 1900. ! am firmly convinced thar
a vast majority OF people in this coun-
try desire bimetallsm. and II the Re
publicans place themselves squarely in
line for the gold standard and the use
of silver subsidiary coinage there can
be no doubt Of the result of the contest.
We failed 10 elect MIR. Bryan this year
because the Republicans had the bulk
of the partisan vote and we failed TO
convert enough of the farmer vote 10
Offset ii. But they are coming our way,
and if Mr.. Hanna is proceeding upon