Evening star., 1897-03-24
M MILLIN HEARD
The Tennesseean Assails the Ding gley
Bill.
DECLARES His PARTY FOR Low TAXES
Harsh Criticism Of Republican Cam
paign Methods.


Mr. MrMiIIin pref1ced mis- remarks in tie
House on the Diugley bill today with some
figures to prove that there was a sufficient
surplus CS11S.pp.Vp. exclusive of the gold
Te serye> in the treasury to meet all esti-
mated deficiencies fo- two years. and that
the alleged necessity for this bill was a
mere pretext-
He prophesied repetition of the disaS-
ter which overlook the Congress that en-
acted the Mckinley law If this bill were
PASSED and made the republican change of
front on the question of sugar bounties the
text for some cdustic remarks. Despite the
appeals of the Louisiana sugar growers, he
declared the bounty was established in
1880.
The cry of free breakfast table had
gone forth" said he, ard although every
thing on the breakfast table except coffee
vas taxed. the promise made that sugar
should he put the free list was Kept
Ard only the tax Necessary to enable the
sugar trust to exact it's millions from the
American people-half a cent d pound De
tween raw and refined sugar-was i'm
posed
The Free Breakfast TABLE"
But. sir. you will search in vain for free
sugar in thus bill. or anything else free
the demagogic cry of a free breakfast
table has had TO be abandoned. The demo-
cratic party can AT least boast that 1t has
perniCious principle from being perma-
neHtiy ingrafted on our American system
of taxation and government.
But what becomes of all those fervant
utteranCes which rang through these halls
Only seven years ago proclaiming the beau
ties of free sugar. What mas become of the
laudation of free sugar by the cohorts of
protection and the advocates of bounties? :?
/ remember how the melodious voice of
the present chief magistrate proclaimed
the boon of untaxed sugar. i remember
bow the gentleman from Maine, who now
increases the tax on sugar. proclaimed that
the sugar tax was a burden paid by the
consumer i remember how the vigorous
and vehement gentleman frCm New York
tMr. Payne stood up and lauded the re-
publican party for taking the tax off
sugar.
Increase of Tax.
IF the transfer to the free list of sugar
knd molasses gave the greatest relief then
II must follow that the reimposition of
high FAX sugar will he the greatest
hardship now These gentlemen must con-
fess Themselves as standing for an in
crease of the burdens of the people ac-
cording 10 their confession. Not only have
they reimposed this burden OF taxation.
but In doing so they have taken good care
OF the corporations and trusts which now
control the sugar market. The profit to
the trust is raised by this bill from one
eighth of cent pound by the present
law TO from 81 to ~ cents on the hundred
pounds difference between raw and re-
fined
Mr.. NcMillin then discussed in detail the
metal schedule. arguing that as we We're
becoming heavy shippers of pig iron which
n said could be produced in the southern
states as cheaply as any place in the world
thc duty of 81 per ton should have. been re-
duceG- He declared that the agricultural
schedule was a humbug, and enumerated
long list OF trusts which he said would
faiten on this bill.
The gentleman from Maine tells us that
they have taken lumber. salt wool bag
sihS- cotton ties and books from the free
list and pat tax upon them. Why does
ne rot tell us the reason for retaining free
saIt for his Maine fisheries and imposing d
duty or the salt used elsewhere? Why does
NJ not explain TO US the reason for increas-
Ing the duties on Hnoleum some grades to
between loo and 30 per cent when IL is In
trust, and when one large concern in his
own state has not lost a days work in
many years?
Severe arrafgnment.
We make twc-thifds of all the cotton
mat Is produced Ia the world; two-thirds
Of all We make is shipped abroad: the bag
sing that surrounds it and the ties that
bind II are total loss. being consumed in
the use The makers of bagging in this
country organized a gigantic trust TO rob
the farmer. The ties can be made as
cheaply here anywhere in the world
ny Gtd ne not give some reason for
thuS hampering agriculture and shifting
tht tllIeT of the soil? After a careful and
pains staklng examination of this bill | do
Aot hesitate To declare II the most uncon-
scionahle effort at legislative robbery ever
attempted upon people Neither the
great IRE of Chicago. nor of Boston. nor
th' fearful flood that now devas,ates the
southland. could begin to compare with il
as a calamity
Ir- Chairman. this bill carries not only
HIth+i rates OF duty than the present law
anu higher rates than the Mckinley bill
Out hlsher than any law ever passed by an
American Congress or groaned under nv
az American people.
Tn claim that the incre reased burden IS
or tuxuries is not sustained by the facts
Ar coarse shawls and knit goods Injuries ?
Ar wool hats and overcoats luxuries? Are
KNIVES and forks in This urbaue age lux
uTirSS And beg with all G.iereuc.. TO ask
whether IN the state of Maine a clean shirt
mas become such d rarity thai il is ella Sse,I
with the luXuries? / ask him when amorg
Americans. the sugar that sweetens tea
hLd coTee became luxury-when trace
chains became d luxury TO the farmer? Sir
not only l. the bill itself higher buf th,
*
The Mckinley bill.
The Reciprocity Clause.
The reciprocity clause is remarkabIe for
the fact that IL gives into the hands of the
President absolutely the power 10 impose
taxes and remit taxes al pleasure He can
impose them this month-remit them The
heA'- He can DO without convenlng
congress, or consulting II II convened The
taxing power Is thereby surrendered nv
'oHEFess-itS constitutional repoSitory-ro 10
az executive who Was never clothed with
sCcA power 10y any statute framed by those
WHO adopted the Constitution The reci-
li"tlts Clause i an effOr; to count+ract the
A+-eHects OF the mallegiSiation which rhts
same Dill proposes TO enact II reuorts be
iur. II Is more than likely that some su,.I,
sait'y valve VIII be needed for already
France. Canada and other governments a rs
preparing TO resist this assault on COM
TcrCe- ~
ne Increase according to their ou-,
SLOWING makes this bill moye than on,
slHlh 90 o. per cent? higher than tn. NJ
hlhleE law II il not inappropriate IN rc
marx IN this connection that the increase
OF taxes cannot increase wealth. Hurdans
are not riches and cannot be- coined j,',
cash How absurd the contention thai bis,I,
tNatioh and great prosperity 20 hand in
hand. manu- All
The democratic party stands and b.s
ever stood Tor low taxes We are b.r. =,
proclaim and sustain this pr,rcfnIs 90 ~ 10