The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-05-27
The Proposed Tax on Corporations
Debated in the Senate.
ON ARMY AND NAVY APPOINTMENTS.
A Bill Giving the President Greater Power
in the Matter of Retiring and Promot-
ing Ofncers-An Uninteresting
Session OF the House.

tit bhab Whth bhC oNhobO
adjourned Friday the pending ques-
ton was upon the amendment offered
by Senator McEnery, of Louisiana,
removing the proposed corporation tax
from certain classes of corporations,
which were such in name only. He
added that the reading of the bill had
been completed and that an agreement
had been reached for the convenience
of the senate, first to consider the
amendmen providing for excise taxes
on persons, firms, companies and cor
porations. That amendment, Senator
Allison thought, ought to be disposed
of before the remaining parts of the
bill were taken up.
Senator Chiffon then delivered an
extended and carefully-written speech
upon the general features of the bill
He expressed the opinion that the vast
amount Of money proposed to be raised
by the pending bill would not be need
ed for the naval and military opera
tions before congress should convene
next December. He did not believe,
therefore, in view of the fact that the
war might come to an end within
few weeks, and in view of the fact
that the situation might be cleared
mp materially by December l next,
that it was necessary to pro-
vide so large an amount for the con-
duct of the war. He expressed his
willingness, however, to join with
others in furnishing ample resources
for the conduct of the war until July
/, 1899. He thought it would be a mis-
take to appropriate a greater amount
than S25, 900, 600 month for war pur-
poses In the course of his remarks
upon the inheritance tax he expressed
the opinion that, next TO a tax on in
comes and upon corporations, the sue.
cession tax contained more elements
of justice than any other feature of
the pending bill
He was followed by Senator Lodge,
of Massachusetts, who addressed him
self particularly to the proposed tax
on corporations. He held that the
fact that many states now levied a tax
upon corporations was an argument
against the proposed tax to be levied
by the national government rather
than in favor of it. For the United
States to tax the corporations would
result in the destruction of a great
source of revenue to the states. He
objected to the corporation tax be-
cause it was unfair and inequitable.
All partnerships were exempted, while
all corporations were taxed.
Senator Turley, of Tennessee, pre-
sented an argument In support of the
corporation tax. He concluded with
an argument in favor of the issue of
legal tender notes as provided for in
the bill reported by the majority of
the finance committee.
1t was then agreed that the bill
would not be pressed further that day
and it was laid aside.
Senator Frye, of Maine, then report
ed bill providing for admitting to
American registry the steamer Zealan-
dia. He urged that the bill be passed,
as the ship had been chartered to con-
vey troops to Manila. After an objec-
tion by Senator Pettigrew, of South
Dakota, which was afterward with
drawn, the bill was passed.
Senator Chandler, of New Hamp-
shire, introduced this bill:
That during the war with Spain the president
be and he hereby is authorized, in his discre-
tlOn, 10 place upon tne fetlred llSt any Oftcer
in the army above the rank OF lieutenant col
onel and any officer in the navy above the rank
or relative rank OF commander; and to fix in
his discretion, as the retired pay OF any such
officer. any rate now by law provided for ofii-
GERS retired for any Of the various causes for
retirement and the president may I'LL every
vacancy happening through retirement by pro-
motion through selection and not according to
seniority.
THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, May 24.--The day in
the house was devoted chiefly to the
consideration of District of Columbia
legislation. Two bills of minor inn
portance affecting the volunteer mill
tary were passed. One was the SEN
ate bill providing for the payment
of volunteers from their enrolment
and authorizing the secretary of war
to pay troops embarking for Ma
Mia one month in advance, and the
other was the senate bill providing
that officers of the regular army who
may be staff officers in the volunteer
service shall not vacate their offices in
the regular army The measure, it
was explained, was amendatory OF the
recent general volunteer act and was
intended TO make certain that no vaca-
ton of regular officers would follow
staff appointments from the regular
army. The bill was amended so as to
include army officers appointed to vol
unteer engineer corps and was then
passed.
Mr.. Pearce, of Missouri, introduced
a bill for an increase in the naval
establishment as follows:
Five hrst-class cruisers to carry the heaviest
Armor practicable and the most powerful ord
nance; displacement, 1880 tons; minimum
average speed. 20 knots per hour, and TO
cost exclusive of armor and armament,
not exceeding S4,00O,O0O; ten torpedo
boats OF about 1850 tons displacement
70 have highest practicable speed and TO cost
exclusive OF armament not over 100000 each;
- torpedo boat destroyers, of about 400 tons
displacement, OF the highest practicable speed,
and to cost exclusive OF armament not exceed
ing 1900 900 eacA' 10 steel gunboats of about 2, =
OO0 tons displacement, with highest practical
BILE speed, and TO cost, save armament, not over
1850 900 each