The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1896-08-20

Ircd years the Supreme court OF the
United States has sustained the prin-
ripIc which underlies the income tax.
Some twenty years ago this same court
without a dissenting voice,
an inCOme-taX law almost Identical
with the one recently OverthrOWO, has
not II future court as much right to
return to tho judicial precedcnts OF 4
century as the present court had -
depart from them? When courts allow
rehearings they admit that error Is
possible: the late decision against the
income tax was given by a majority
Of ont after a rehearing
"The last inc0me-taX law sought TO
appOrtiOn the burdens OF government
more cQuitably among those who en-
JOY the protection Of the government.
At present the expenses Of the federal
collected through Internal
revenue taxes and import duties, are
especially burdcnsome upon the poor
classes of society. The inCOmc-taX law,
with It's exemption provisions, was not
unjust to the poSseSSOrs of large in
comes, because they were not COM
PEELED to pay total federal tax greater
than their share.
"Now. let me ask YOU TO consider the
paramount question Of this campaign
tho money question. 1t is scarcely
necessary to defend the principle Of BIZ
metallism. No national party during
tho entire history Of the United States
has ever declared against it, and no
party in this campaign has had the
temerity to oppose it. The republican
platform expressly declares that BIZ
metallism is desirable when it pledges
the republican party to aid in securing
II as soon as the assistance of certain
foreign nations can be obtained. The
gold standard has been weighed in the
balance and found wanting. Take from
1t the powerful support of the money
owning and the money-changlng
classes and II cannot Gtand for one day
in any nation in the world. II was fas-
tened upon the United States without
discussion before the people, and its
friends have never yet been willing to
risk a verdict before the voters upon
that issue.
Test 90 Honesty in Money.
What Is the test of honesty in
money? It must certainly be found in
the purchasing power of the dollar A
dollar which increases in purchasing
power is just rs dishonest as a dollar
which decreases in purchasing power
It cannot be successfully claimed that
monometallsm or bimetallism, or any
other system, gives an absolutely just
standard of value Bimetalism is bet.
ter than recommendation not because II
gives us a perfect dollar-that is, a dol.
lar absolutely unvarying in it's genera
purchasing power-but because Il
makes nearer approach to stability
TO honesty. TO justice, than a golC
standard possibly can. Any Legislation
which lessons the worlds stock o.
standard money increases the eX
changeable value of the dollar; there
fore the crusade against silver must in
evitably raise the purchasing power o.
money and lower the money value o.
all other forms Of property.
Opponents Admit tho Error.
"Our opponents sometimes admi
that it was a mistake to demonetizs
silver, but insist that we should sub
nit to present conditions rather thar
return to the bimetalllc system. They
err in supposing that we have reached
the end of the evil results Of golt
standard: we have not reached the end
The injury is a continuing one. The
same influences which are now operat
ing to destroy silver in the United
States will, If successful here, be turn
ed against other silver-using countries
and each new convert of the golt
standard will add to the general dis
tress.
Farmers Opposed to Gold.
"The farmers are opposed to the golC
standard because they have felt it,
effects. Since they sell at wholesale
and buy at retail they have lost more
than they have gained by falling prices
and, besides this, they have found thai
certain fixed charges have not faller
at all. Taxes have not been perceptibl!
decreased, although 1t requires more Of
farm products now than formerly tC
secure the money with which to pay
taxes.
Debts have not fallen. The farmer
who owed $1,000 is still compelled t.
pay $1,000, although it may be twice a
difficult as formerly to obtain the dol
lar with which to pay the debt. Rail
road rates have not been reduced t
keep pace with falling prices, and be
sides these items there are many more
Wage.Earners Eager for Silver.
"The wage-earners have been injured
by a gold standard. Wage-earner.
know that while gold standard raises
the purchasing power of the dollar, i
also makes it more difficult to Obtain
possession Of the dollar; they know