The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-29
But Just How Is What Is DiVid-
ing Congress-
BY BONDS OR OTHERWISE
Republicans Appeal to the
Minority for Unity,

discussion of the internal revenue feat
ures of the bill. The Democrats con-
tinued their assault of the bond feature
and their advocacy Of the income tax.
The latter was ridiculed as a substitute
proposition by the Republicans. The au-
thority TO borrow money was defended by
them as absolutely necessary. There is a
difference of opinion on the Democratic
side as to whether the bill should be voted
for upon its final passage, after the minor
tty amendments are voted down. A num-
Der of the Democrats, led by Mr.. McLel-
Ian Of New York, have announced their
purpose Of so voting, but the majority of
the Democrats believe they could not jus
tify a vote for a bond issue An effort
Is being made to avoid an aye and nay
vote on the final passage, to prevent an
exhibition Of this division, and tonight it
seems probable that il will be success
full. There may be some difficulty about
the committee amendments decided upon
today, as. under the order, the bond feat
ures Of the bill must first be taken up
under the fve-minute rule tomorrow If
the amendments to these sections should
exhaust the time before 4 o'clock, the
committee amendments will be ruled out
and would have to be inserted by the
senate.
URGENCY MEASURE PASSED.
Before the debate on the war revenue
bill was resumed in the house today, an
urgency war measure was passed by
unanimous consent to repeal the limita-
tons upon the purchase Of quartermas-
ters supplies during the existing war
with Spain.
Mr. Payne (Rep.) of New York, a men,
Der of the ways and means committee.
was the first speaker on the war revenue
bill today.
In the course Of his remarks. Mr.. Payne
said that in disciplined armies and season
ed soldiers Spain at present had the ad-
vantage, and that it was therefore the
part of prudence to supply the govern
ment with all the pecuniary means neces-
sary to recruit and prepare our army for
the field. He combatted the opinion of
Mr.. Sayers that $500 900, 600 would be suf-
ficient. Our war preparations were cost
ing S25 900 a month. With armies in
the field the expenditures would be much
greater.
Mr.. Wheeler Oem.) of Alabama, a
member of the committee, announced his
opposition to the bond provision, but said
If it was not stricken out he would feel
impelled to vote for the measure.
Mr.. Dockery Dem.) of Missouri dis
cussed the condition of the treasury. He
objected to the leaders of the majority
side picturing to the country a bankrupt
treasury in order to lay a foundation for
bond issues
Mr.. Dalzell (Rep1 Of Pennsylvania, in
support of the bill, said that the loans
proposed to be floated by the pending bill
could not be avoided He regarded the
bond provision of the bill as its most
beneficient feature.
A POOR MANS TAX.
Mr. McMillin Oem.) Of Tennessee crit
icised some Of the internal revenue feat
ares OF the bill as especially onerous upon
the poor, and argued that the wealth of
the country should bear a greater portion
Of the war taxes. He quoted Secretary
Gage as saying that $500 O0O. 900 was suf-
ticient TO prosecute the war. As there were
now in the treasury 5000. 900. COO, he con-
tended that a bond authorization was
unnecessary.
Mr.. Hopkins (Rep) Of Illinois commend
ed the bill as the best that could be
framed to raise extraordinary revenues.
Over $4,000 900 would be obtained from
beer and tobacco. articles of voluntary
consumption. The remainder would come
from tonnage taxation and from the
stamp tax, which would fall mainly on |
the classes able to pay. The bond feature
of the bill had been urged, he said. by the
patriotic administration which was to 1
prosecute the war
He derided the income tax proposition |
OF the minority and was especially caustio |
in his criticism of the proposition to issue |
S5S,0oo.oo0 OF greenbacks. In one year OF /
the civil war the greenbacks had cost the |
government 100000 900.
Mr.. Mann (Rep) of Illinois made a |
brief speech in support Of the bill
Mr.. Mcclellan CDem) Of New York. a /
member of the ways and means commit /
tee, said that we always had in the past. |
when confronted by war, underestimate /
the magnitude of the task before us.
NO TIME FOR POLITICS.
Mr.. Henderson CRepD of Iowa made an 1
eloquent appeal 10 the members to lay |
aside party politics and give cash without |
reserve 10 the government to prosecute /
the war He had believed that there /
would be no war. but it had come. He 4
desplsed war. but the chief executive had /
unfurled the flag. and all his brain and 1
heart and energy should so to its support. /
Thus FAR politics had been kept 10 the (
rear. Together both sides had declared !
war and rallied the young men of the /
country.
Let US not" said he, '"hurl them into /
the ranks Of battle and the jaws OF death /
with the sound OF dissensions ringing in +
their ears. I care not how we provide the I
sinews OF war so that they are the least
burdensome. But taxation there must be.
This step we have taken has already cut I
down our revenues. All cur estimates re (
gone. We need men. bullets and cash. Let
us move up like brothers. Let there be /
no this side. nor that side: 70 Republic /
ans. no Democrats. Let Us hold up our I
campaign speeches and hack Up the stem
we have taken by giving cash without /
reserve" (Applause)
Representatives Lowering Of Massachu- /
sets and Russell and Sperry OF Connect /
icut also spoke
Representative Lanham OF Texas said 1
he had no serious objection 20 orer 70 |
the excie feature Of the bill. but that the I
income tax and the internal revenue tax 4
would provide sufficient revenue for all I
practical purposes.
Representatives Evans Of Kentucky apd /
Fitzgerald of Massachusetts. the latter 1
making strong defense Of the income 1
tax provisions proposed by the minority. /
also spoke.
Representative Sherman moved that /