The herald., 1898-05-27
WHITE OPPOSES BONDS
AND WANTS WAR TAXES FAIRLY
DISTRIBUTED
TELLER TALKS ON INCOME TAX
The German Amendment Taxing Cor
porations Promises to Cause Long
and Bitter Discussion

WASHINGTON. May 26.-No substantial
progress was made by the Senate today
toward the disposition of the war revenue
measure, although 1t was under considera-
tion for three hours. Speeches were deliv-
cred on the bill by Mr.. White Dem.) Of
California and Mr. Teller of Colorado. The
former opposed the issue of bonds and
strongly advocated the coinage of the sill
yer seigniorage and the tax upon corpora
tions. In his discussion of the last feature
Mr.. Teller drew out the fact that an
amendment was to be offered to the bill
by Mr.. German of Maryland, placing
tax Of one-half Of one per cent. on certain
large corporations. Mr.. Teller dwelt large
ly 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 pronounced upon the
hte Senator Walthall of Mississippi.
Eight senators were present when the
vice-pre sident's gavel fell at II o'clock this
morning calling to order today's session
of the senate, and after about fifteen min
utes' delay in securing a quorum the war
revenue measure was laid before the SEN
ate
Mr.. White Of California then began an
extended speech covering pretty fully the
general features Of the bill, especially those
relating 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 final vote had not been
reached. He thought, however, that the
delay was due to the popularity of the
pending measure. The revenue bill, upon
which the Civil War was conducted, was
a complicated instrument, utterly inappli-
cable to present conditions. The object of
the bill challenged the attention and sup
port of every member of both branches of
Congress. All are united to present solid
front to the foreign foe.
1t was no longer a question of doubt that
all the money necessary for the prosecu-
tion of the war would be supplied. 1t was
simply the method of raising the funds that
was under debate here.
"Great as this nation is" said he
''mighty as are her resources this country
Is not now prepared to place its full strength
and all the material of war residing in its
bosom. But in time (and not a very long
time either), it will be ready to put forth
Its full strength and then this conflict will
be decided speedily"
Mr.. White said he deemed It essentially
desirable that taxation imposed by the
bill should be spread over the country
fairly and equitably. The burdens placed
upon the country by the war ought to be
borne by all alike.
Mr.. White maintained that the placing by
the House of Representatives of one-third
of the tax to be raised upon beer, one-third
nhoo nd ird TO,
unjustifiable. Beer and tobacco. 1t was
argued, said he, were luxuries which peo-
pie did not have to use unless they chose to
do so. He admitted and contended that
tobacco and beer were legitimate articles
Of taxation, but said there could be no
doubt that the burden of the tax was all
upon the poor men of the country.
Mr.. White denounced the stamp tax as
an onerous burden from which all would
be glad to escape. 1t was a nuisance and
par excellence tax upon the plain people
Senator Chandler introduced a bill au-
thorizing the Secretary Of the Navy to es-
tablish and maintain all such telegraphic
communications as he may deem neces-
sary during the continuance of the present
war, by opening or re-opening such ocean
lines as may be necessary in any exigency
for the proper protection of the naval and
military operations. The bill carries an
appropriation of $1,O00,OOO.
Concerning the inheritance tax, White
maintained that Notwithstanding the OBJ
jections urged against it by reason of its
being an invasion of the prerogatives of
the state, it was perfectly justifiable, and he
expressed the hope and belief that the
courts would sustain the action of congress
in enacting the proposition into national
law
White then entered upon a long discus
sion of the proposed corporation tax, which
he earnestly supported. He maintained
that the corporations owed something to
the country, not only for their creation, but
also for the privilege of existence. He
maintained that the argument of senators
that tax should not be laid against a cor
poration because 1t was not laid against a
partnership engaged in the same line of
business was not sound as the corporation
enjoyed more privileges than the partner
ship in business and before the law. If it
were not so, corporations would not be
formed
He regretted that there was a manifest
disposition among Republican senators to
oppose the plan of any tax upon any corpo-
ration. They were all, seemingly at least,
alike opposed, he said, to insisting that the
Standard Oil company and the Sugar trust
and other great monopoies should be COM
PEELED to pay their share of the burdens of
the present war. Mr.. White said that Mr.
German of Maryland had prepared an
amendment to the measure which he would
be willing to support If the general tax
upon all corporations should not be deemed
desirable by the senate. At his request
Mr.. German sent to the desk and read the
amendment he proposed to offer at the
proper time. 1t follows:
'That from and after the passing of this
act, every person, firm. company or corpo-
ration, owning or possessing. or having the
care or management Of any railroad, street
railroad sleeping car, steamboat, ship or
other vessel, engaged or employed in the
business of transporting passengers or
freight for hire. or in transporting the mails
Of the United States or carrying on or doing
an express business or having the care or
management of any telegraphic or telephone,
line by which telegraphic or telephone dis
patches or messages are received or trans
mitter of carrying on. or doing the busi-
ness Of furnishing gas. electric light. electric
power. steam heat or steam power, or
refining petroleum. or refining sugar, or
-wrsne or controlling any pipe line for