The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-27
SPEECH VERSUS SPEED.
Three Hours of Senatorial
0ratory on the War Bill
SAME THING IN THE HOUSE
They Talk and Talk and Talk
and Talk and Talk.

Washington. May 2s-No substantial
progress was made by the senate towards
the disposition of the war revenue meas
TIRE, although IL was under consideration
tor three hours Speeches were delivered
on the bill by Mr. White Deu-. CALI and
Air. Teller (CoL). The former opposed
thsissue Of bonds and strongly advocated
the coinage Of the solver seignforage and
the tax upon corporations. In his discus
sion Of the last feature Mr.. White drew
out the fact that an amendment was to
be offered to the bin by Mr.. German Md
placing a tax OF one-hadf Of one per cent
o ncertain large corporations, Mr.. Teller
dwelt largely upon the proposition TO levy
an income tax. He had not concluded his
argument when the bill was laid aside
In order that eulogies might be pro-
nounoed upon the late Senator Walths4l
OF Mississippi.
WAR BILL AT ONCE.
Eight senators were present when the
vice presidents gavel descended at II
o'clock this morning, and after fifteen
minutes in securing a quorum, the war
revenue measure was laid before the SEN
alta
Mr.. White (Cal9 then began en- extended
speech covering pretty fully the general
features of the bill, especially those re-
iating to the tax on corporations and on
inheritances. The consideration Of the
bill, he said, had enlisted the attention
of the country and many people were
becoming restless because a final vote
had not been reached. He thought, how
ever, that the delay was due TO the pc
culiarity OF the pending measure. The
revenue bill, upon which the civil war was
conducted was a complicated instrument,
utterly inapphcable to present conditions.
The object of the bill challenged the at
tention and support of every member of
both branches of congress. All were uni
ted to present solid front TO the foreign
foe.
1t was no longer a question of doubt
that all the money necessary for the pros
fcution Of the war would be supplied. 1t
was simply the method of raising the
funds that was under debatet.
mighty as are her resources. this country
IS not now prepared to place before an
opponent its full strength and all the ma
terial Of war residing in it's bosom. But
IN Time and not a very long time, either,
1t will be ready to put forth its entire
strength and then this conflict will be
decided speedily"
SHOULD BEAR EVENLY.
Mr.. White said it was essentially desira-
BILE that the taxation imposed by the bill
should be spread over the country fairly
and equitably. The burden placed upon
the country by the war ought to be borne
by all alike.
Mr.. White regarded it as unfortunate
that so heavy a tax should have been
placed upon tobacco, because by some il
was considered a luxury. He maintained
that the placing by the house of repre-
sentatives of one-third of the tax to be
raised upon beer one-third upon tobacco
and one-third upon stamps was severe
II not almost unjustifable. Beer and to-
bacco 1t was argued, said he, were iuxu-
ries. The people did not have to use them
unless they chose to do so. He admitted
and contended that tobacco and beer were
legitimate articles of taxation but there
could be no doubt That the burden of the
tax would fan upon the poor men of the
country.
Mr. White denounced the stamp tax as
. burden, an onerous burden, from which
all would be glad to escape. It was y
nuisance and par excellence a tax upon
h. 1os, % ba nd
HEIRS AND CORPORATIONS.
Concerning the inheritance tax, Mr..
White maintained that Notwithstanding
the objections urged against it by reason
of its being an evasion of the prerogatives
Of the states it was perfectly justfable
and ne expressed the hope and belief thai
the courts would sustain the action OF
congress in enacting the proposition into
national law.
Mr. White then entered upon long lis
cussion of the proposed corporation tax,
which he earnestly supported. He main
tined that the corporations owed some
thing TO the country, not only for their
creation. but also for the privilege of ex-
istence. He maintained that the argu-
ment OF senators that tax should not
be laid against a corporation because ii
was not laid against a partnership en-
gagged in the same line of business was
not sound. as the corporation enjoyed
more privileges than the partnership in
business and before the law. If II were
not 80, corporations would not be formed.
He regretted that there was a manifest
disposition among Republican senators &c
oppose the plan of any tax upon any cor
poration- They were all, seemingly. al
least, alike opposed, he said, to insisting
that the Standard Oil company and the
sugar trust and other great monopolies
should be compelled to pay their share OF
the burdens Of the presetn war.
GORMAN'S AMENDMENT.
Mr. White said that Mr.. German (NId.I
kad prepared an amendment TO the meas
ure, which he would be viking to support
II the general tax upon all corpora ttons
should not be deemed desirable by tbs
senate. At his request Mr.. German sent
TO the desk and had read the amendment
he proposed 10 offer at the proper time. i
follows:
That from and after the passing Of
this act. every person. firm. company oil
corporation. owning or possessing. or hav.
ing the care or management Of any rsIi
road, street railroad, street car. steanbos.
or vessel engaged or employed in tn,
business OF Transporting passengers 81
treigh tfor hire OF in Transporting tht
mails Of the United States. or carrying