The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-18
Instead OF Raising Money ON Beer and
Tobacco, He Would Make Prop-
erty Bear the Burden of War.
HOUSE PASSES LABOR BILLS
REPORT ON THE HAWAIIAN ANNEX.
ALTON JOINT RESOLUTION.
Chairman Hits Argument In Favor
of Acquiring the Islands-HOw Ha-
waits Action Is Viewed. /

WASHINGTON, May 17.-Considerable
progress was made by the Senate to-day in
considering the war revenue measure. Mr..
Jones, of Arkansas, presented in general
statement the views of the Democratic
members of the finance committee. He
maintained that the taxes imposed by the
pending bill ought to be levied on property,
and not upon consumption; that the policy
of the Republican party always had been
to impose taxes upon consumption, while
that of the Democratic party was to inn
pose it upon property. He believed that
taxation that would raise $3.50, 100000 would
be amply sufficient to be carried by this
bill, and that if the exigencies of the war
should demonstrate that more money was
needed, Congress could provide it later. He
opposed the proposition to issue bonds and
certificates of Indebtedness far in excess OF
the requirements of the war. and held that
the expenses should be paid by the govern
ment as the war progresses. Mr.. Jones de-
clared that every feature of the bill was
tax on consumption. The stamp tax was
one of the most onerous and vexatious
forms of taxation ever devised. The tax
upon tobacco and upon beer was tax on
consumption.
In response to an inquiry from Mr. AL
drich. Mr.. Jones said that he did not believe
any man could determine definitely how and
upon whom the beer tax would fall. I'VE
on this SIDE" said he, believe, however,
that the taxes levied ought to rest upon
property, while the bill pending increases
the taxes on consumption"
In answer to an inquiry by Mr.. Aldrich.
Mr.. Jones said: Il am willing to fix the
amount that ought to be produced by the
pending bill at $15O,OO0000, but 1 believe it
would be better and wiser for us to levy
even more taxes rather than increase our
interest-bearing obligations. If 1 had to
take my choice between an issue of bonds
and an increase of taxation, would prefer
to increase taxation"
Without reaching any agreement as to
what portion of the bill should be consid-
cred first, the Senate proceeded with the
reading Of the bill, with the understanding
that at any time senator's should have the
privilege OF returning to passed items for
their amendment or alteration.
Mr.. Chiffon offered an amendment to Sec
ton providing for the punishment of Of
tenders against the act The words, with
intent to evade the provisions of this act"
were inserted by the amendment. 1t was
agreed to.
At o'clock the bill was laid aside and Mr..
~~NeAS
DRY of the late Seth L. Milliken, repre-
sentative from Maine Euloges were pro-
nounced by Mr.. Hale, Mr.. Mills (Tex.), Mr..
Carter (Mont), Mr.. Rawlins CUtah) Mr..
Gallinger IN. H.) and Mr.. Frye NIaine)
At the conclusion of the addresses the SEN
ate, at $3.50 D. M, as a further mark of re-
spect adjourned
AT the opening of the session Mr.. Hale,
chairman of the committee on naval affairs,
offered the following resolution, which was
agreed to:
THAT the temporary appointments made
by the President on and after April 10, 1898,
and UP to the date of the passage of this
joint resolution, of officers of the line and
stair of the navy, are hereby ratified and
confirmed to continue in force during the
exigency under which their services are re-
quired in the existing war: Provided, that
the officers so appointed shall be assigned
10 duty with rank and pay of their grades,
as established by existing law and shall be
paid from the appropriation made for the
navy"
A bill was reported from the military af-
fairs committee by Mr.. Carter and passed
providing that the pay and all allowances
of the volunteers enlisted in the United
States army shall begin on the day of their
enrolment at the state camps, with pro-
vision that volunteer troops sent to the
Philippines may draw one months pay in
advance. 1t was explained that the bill APP
piled only to those who had as volunteers
entered the United States army.