The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-28
LOn DEBATE OVER
REVENUE BILL Starts.
Democrats Vigorously Attack the
Bombing Provisions.



WASHINGTON. April :s.-The opening
Of the three days Dictate on the war reve-
galleries today. and the crowd on the ficor
was also large.
Rev. Mr.. Hesaewem who delivered the
invocation. asked the divine aid and d.
recffon fer our army and navy.
Without preliminary Of any kind. the
house wen, into Committee of the whole
after the reading Ct the Journal and en-
tered upon the consideration OF the bill.
Owing to its Importance. Dingiey did not
ask that the firx reading of the blu be
dispensed with. as Is usual with bills Of
minor Importance.
The reading Of the hill. which consists
of forty-four pages. occupied an hour and
ten minutes. Dingley then took the floor
TO open the debate The Dill. ne said. WAS
distinctly a war measure. 1t was essen-
tiai that We should stand as unit. shout
der 10 shoulder. as 1t was only through
such united action that hoetilities could
be abbreviated and brought 20 an end at
War now was much more costly than
formerly. This demand on our resources.
he said. came just as the country was
emerging from a long period Of deficiencies
Of revenue and WAS just beginning TO see
the light. Dinghy then proceeded with
his argument. pointing out the condition
Of tie treasury. the extraordinary de-
nands upon 1t for war purposes. not only
Of providing the additional revenue which
would be raised by the bill. but authoriz-
ing the secretary OF the treasury to bor-
row money on the credit OF the govern
menf. He emphasized the necessity Of
united action In support of the measure.
lot only to impress Spain. but the continent
OF Europe with the profound conviction
that the American congress ard the
American people stand shoulder to shout
der without regard TO party in the deter
mination to prosecute TO successful. ter
minaticn the war.
Dingley spoke with great earnestneSe
and was listened 10 with profound attei-
ton. Many of the Democrats left their
places and took seats on the Republican
eide in order TO hear better. With great
impressiveaess. Dingley said that unless
ali signs failed the war would not last
three months. and that the more prepare
t!ons We made for affense and defense the
shorter It would be. When he reached
the question of the bond issue. he was beset
with questions by MeMiliin and other DEM
ccrats. and there was some discussion on
the cost of war.
Sayers read an estimate Of $Soo,0o0.000 per
annum, which Dingley rejected, calling at
tention to the fact that the civil war cost
81. 100o o,eeo per annum. Sayers, while
avowing his willingness 10 vote every dol
lar necessary 10 prosecute the war. con-
tended that there was no necessity for the
TO meet again in December. A plethoric
treasury in time or war. he argued. would
invite endless schemes Of spectators until
II was gone.
Dingley pointed out that the authorize
ton for sos, ooo bonds was simply an
authorization. II not needed, all the bonds
would not be issued. Diagiey briefly dis
cussed the proposition which the minority
would advance for an income tax, as
substitute for the bond proposition. The
supreme caurt has decided the tax uncon-
stitutional. and It proposed. In place OF an
authorization to borrow money. TO remand
the government TO what would come out
Of a law suit, which had already been de-
cided against the government
1T seems 50 prepostcrous in such an
exigency." said Dingley. that 1 can hard
~ believe such q proposition is 10 be seri-
ousiy presented" The proposition TO coin
the silver seigniorage he considered as one
Of the absurdities which was never heard
OF beyond the borders OF the United States.
Seigniorage WAS the profit from coinage.
We are not now coming silver.
Dingley was given a hearty round Of
applause waen he concluded.
Bailey. the leader OF the minority, fol-
lowed Dingley with the opening argument
on his side.
lie said that his side realized as much
as the other the necessity OF raising rev.
enue to carry on the war. and they stood
willing 10 cooperate In placing al the dis
gosal OF the government every material
aid for the prosecution OF the war 10
successful termination. There would be
no differences or opinion that the govern
inseat should be provided with revenue
But, said he. the minority would not lie
either LED or driven in the support OF meas
ures which commended themselves neither
20 their conscience nor Judgment. They
reserved the right 20 oppose the measures.
JUS; as The majority proposed 70 provide
the war fund
Bailey spoke with trace OF Bitterness
a. The treatment the minority has received
at the hands " the majority. The chair
man OF the ways ana means committee had
said The Pending bill followed closely the
system OF war taxation which obtained
IL tire close % the civil war THAT syS-
tenn, Bailey said, rad been followed IN re-