The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-24
THE DEMOCRATIC
CHAIRMAN TALKS
Views Of Senator James K. Jones Upon
the Situation.
SOME PLANS FOR RAISING REVENUE
Be Would Increase the Tax on Beer
by 81 a BaTrcl.. Believes That the
Poor Man Should Enjoy Tobacco
UnmOlested..Is Trifie Hazy ON
the Income Tax. x..Explains the Sue.
cess Of Major Mckinley.


X. Jones, chairman Of the national
Democratic committee, reached Wash
ington this afternoon and will remain
here now until congress adjOurns A
reporter for the United Associated
Presses saw him at his home shortly
after his arrival, to whom the senator
talked frankly and entertainingly upon
some matters of current interest. He
had just come from his hunting trip in
southwestern Missouri, in company
with Mr.. Bryan and Governor Stone, of
Missouri, which, while not satisfactory
from the game bag standpoint. was
eminently successful as a health re-
storing scheme.
II have no idea," said Senator Jones,
answering a question in regard to the
probable legislation Of the approaching
session of congress, "that anything
will be done aside from passing ,ne
usual appropriation bills. 1t will be a
shoE session and 1t will afford no time
in which to consider othef matters. AS
to the Dingley bill. what is there In the
present condition to make 1t any more
acceptable or necessary than 1t was
last session? ] do not see anything in
the line of revenue legislation can be
accomplished at this session of con-
gress."
Discussing plans for raising revenue,
Senator Jones advanced several inter-
estng propositions. MANY of the
manufacturers" he said, 'who support
ed Mckinley will doubtless be sur
prised at the character of the bill that
will be presented to the country. The
conditions that existed when the Nc
Kinley bin of 1890 was passed were
very different from those that will con-
front congress when 1t comes to deal
with the question. Then there was a
surplus to be dissipated; now there Is a
formidable deficiency to be considered.
That will make necessary radically
different sort of measure.
WOULD TAX BEER.
For myself, I should support and
vote for q 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 1t Is tax that can
be easily borne. ] do not think that
tobacco should be taxed to any greater
amount than is now levied; 1t is the one
thing that the poor man almost uni
versally uses. and he should be spared
an additional import. The same thing
is true of coffee, and in a less degree
of tea, and for that reason do not fa-
vor taxes on them. The beer tax should
be an independent proposition-it will
add $50, 200, 900 to the revenues, and IL
1t be put in O bill by itself the money
would come in at once.
"As to the income tax, I have not
examined the decision of the supreme
court with view to determining
whether or not q measure could be
for that source without waiting for an
amendment to the constitution. A per
capita tax might be levied, but l am
opposed to taxing property. ] think
the property and wealth of the country
should bear the cost of the government.
OF course, the poor man receives just
as much and the same benefits from
our institutions as the rich man. but
they should be given to him Just as
public schools are given to him."
What will BIZ the policy of the
Democratic committee, Senator? Will
1t continue the fight as the Republican
committee are reported to have decid-
ed to do, by maintaining headquarters
in the interim between campaigns and
educating the people by the issue of
literature"
That has not yet been officially de-
cided," Senator Jones answered, land
will not be until after a consultation,
the date of which has not been set
lied. 1t will probably not be until af-
ter congress meets. But I think you
can say that that fight will be kept up
until the issue has been fought out"
when will that be?"
MK1NLEY's SUCCESS EXPLAINED.
when the people of the United States
have expressed their opinion directly
upon the question Of restoring silver
to the position it occupied prior to
1873. The platform Of the Republican
convention was straddle-it did not
declare for the single gold standard, but
only for its maintenance until bimetal-
ism could be secured by international
agreement. l have been assured since
the election by Republicans. some of
wide reputation, that thousands of
them voted for Major Mckinley be-
cause they believed him to be a bime-
tallisf, and that as much would be
done for silver under his administra-
ton as could be accomplished were
Bryan to be elected. And 1t would be
secured, too. without danger OF dis
turbances that were feared in case of
Bryan's election. There was behind
Major Mckinley a large conservative
element which distrusted the radical
supporters of Bryan, afraid to trust
them with the administration of affairs.
But the Republicans are not united on
this question and they will have to
settle the matter for themselves be-
tween now and 1900.
l am firmly convinced that a vast
majority of the people of this country
desire bimetallsm, and If the Republi-
cans place themselves squarely in line
for the gold standard, and the use of
silver as subsidiary coinage only, there
can be no doubt of the result of the
contest. We failed to elect Bryan this
year because the Republicans secured
the bulk of the artisan vote. and we
failed to convert enough of the farmer
vote to Offset it. But they are coming
our way, and If Mr.. Hanna is proceed
ing upon their track the farmer vote is
lost to fhe. RanuhliconS Xyh,, tLaro