The Portland daily press., 1896-01-08

order to stlt1e expression Of public op1n-
ion in this country, or anywhere in the
world If anything had been accomplished
in all these years that had come and gone
it was that among civilized countries that
justEpublic opinion was the final arbitra-
tor Of all public conduct,
The resolution offered by Mr.. Sherman,
Republican of Ohio, December 81, de-
claring that the use of the gold reserve to
supply deficien cies IS of doubtful legality
and greatly injurious to the public credit,
and that a sum of not less than 10000. :
600 in gold coin or bullion should be re-
stored to the treasury and segregated
from ali other funds, was taken up.
Mr.. Vest, Democrat of Missouri, addressed
the Senate. He said If the income tax
IN the Wilson bill had been collected
there would have been no deficiency of
revenue. He reviewed the decision of the
United States Supreme Court which de-
ciared the tax unconstitutional and as
serted that no decision was ever rendered
by the court which had done SO much to
destroy its influence and excite distrust
among the masses of the American peo-
pie, including Intelligent and thought
tul lawyers For a bundled years. ne
said, 40 lawyer doubted that Congress
had the right to tax the income of real
ana personal property without apporrion-
ment according to population among the
states. That was decided one hundred
years ago by the Supreme Court in the
hilton Case, and years afterwards Chief
Justice Chase gave the unanimous judg-
ment of the Supreme Court to the same
effect, He referred to the action of one
member OF that court, after agreeing
deliberately as to its constitutionality of
the largest portion of the law, to reverse
his opinion two weeks afterwards, and
said the name of that justice was known
alone to himself and official associates.
1t was simply matter of conjecture
as to why that Justice should allow his
name and reasons to be buried in obsou
rity. What would be thought, he asked,
OF Senator who, on a great question
like the income tax, had not the manhood
to stand by before the American people
and declare his responsibility for his
vote. He commented on the fact that
the counsel who argued against the in
come tax were permitted to assail soma
tors, and characterize them as legislative
communists. MIR. Vest replied to Mr..
Sherman's speech in criticism of the
Democratic administration and pointed
out the fact that during the four years
of Mr.. Cleveland's first term the export
gold vas only $4,000, GEO. In the next
four years of Mr.. Harrison s administra-
ton the export of gold was $213 600, 600.
Mr.. Vest declared himself an uncom-
PlOlAlslhS5 nQACICAt I'll uIlo lI60 CUludSc VI
silver. He asserted that in the MoKiu
ley bill of 1890 there was duty on hides
provided, but McKinley had to withdraw
that item to placate New England.
Put duty on hides," he exclaimed, land
you will hear New England slogan
much louder than you hear it OH the
Venezuelan question. Put q dnty on
hides and Immediately the spirit of the
Pilgrim Fathers would be aroused and
thew yyon16 ,llQr9h tl Wiz on To 6aatb ~
Mr.. Vest asserted free wool had oone
more for the wool growers and woolen
manufacturers than any other legislation
ever enacted by Congress. The best of
all, he said, woolen clothing was cheaper
now than ever before. Mr.. Vest referred
to a statement that there could be no
popular loan, because a Wall street syndi-
cate had hoaded $500, 600, 010 of gold. He
said he knew nothing more humiliating
than to see this great country manacled
by the gold holders. He preferred war
to this. Mr.. Vest criticized the views
recently expressed by Secretary Carlisle
in favor the national banking system.
Owing to the late session of the Senate,
the Republican caucus was postponed
until tomorrow, after the adjournment of
the Senate. 1t is confidently believed at
the conference that the Republicans will,
by o very comfortable majority, direct
their members on the finance committee
to report the tariff bill to the Senate as
it came from the House and without
amendments.
MIR. Jones, Populist of Nevada, who
committee, and without whose vote the
Republicans cannot report the measure
in any shape, said tonight he would in
sist upon the addition of Is per cent 80
the sugar schedule. If the caucus SO
decides, the Republican members will
not grant it. Mr.. Jones, it seems, must
then either change his mind or the bill
will remain in the files Of the committee
on finance. The Republicans profess to
believe Mr. Jones will not thus put him
self on record, but after arguing his
to the will of his former Re-
publican associates and permit the bill to
be reported.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Vests remarks
Mr.. Stewart, Populist of Nevada, took
the floor, but yielded for executive ses-
sion. When the doors reopened the Sen
ate adjourned.
Among the bills introduced n the
Senate today were the following: BY
Mr. Allen, Populist, of Nebraska, for the
foreclosure of the government lien on the
Pacific railroads. 1t prescribes the man
ner in which the exact debt of the roads
to the governemnG is to be ascertained,
and directs the Attorney General to insti-
UuL6 SuluS lUE Ull6 LOIClOsuf6 I'll UO6 ll60S,
and the sale of the properties. or their
and operation by the govern
ment. If the latter course be taken, sill
yer seigniorage in the treasury Is to be
coined. and the treasury notes issued
thereon to cancel the prior liens on the
roads.
By Mr.. Teller, Republican of Colorado,
to abolish the Offices of commissioner and
assistant commissioner of Indian affairs,
and create in their stead board of In
dian commissioners.
By Mr. Pritchard, Republican of
North Carolina, an amendment to the
House tariff bill reenacting the provis-
ions of the Mckinley law on stone, iron
ore, coal, farm products, wool and timber.
BY Mr.. Burrows, Republican Of Michi-
gan, to incorporate the National Society
of the Daughters of the American Revo-
luton.
A new form of popular loan was pre-
sented to the consideration of the Senate
today in the bill introduced by Mr..
Chan dler. 1t provides for the issue of
postal savings notes of the face value of
800 with interest thereon at the rate of
So year with q total interest of SIG if
the notes are not presented at the ex-
piration Of five years. After five years
in addition to the sum of SIG, the govern
IL