Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-20
in opposing u sovereignty, they will
not require much assistance from us.
Extravaqance,

not require much assistance from us.
Extravaganza.
The republican party, drawing as it
does enormous campaign funds from
those who enjoy special privileges at
the hands of the government, is power
less to protect the tax payers from the
attack of those who profit by large APP
Preparations. A surplus in the treas.
ury offers constant temptation to ex,
travagance, and extravaganza, in turn,
compels a resort to new means of tax
alton, which is being kept in the back
ground until the campaign is v and
is a fair illustration of the imposition
which will be attempted when there is
a considerable amount in the treasury.
The rehabilitation of the merchant
marine, laudablc in itself, is made the
pretext for expenditure of public mon
ey for the benefit of large ship owners,
and in the interests of a transporta.
ton monopoly. The government be-
ing only the agent of the people, has
no right to collect from the people
taxes beyond the Legitimate needs of
a government honestly and effectively
administered, and the public servants
should exercise the same degree of
are in the use of the peoples money
that private individuals do in the use
of their own money. With a restora-
ton of a foreign policy consistent with
American ideas there can be an imme-
date and large reduction in the bur-
dens now borne by the people.
income Tax.
By inadvertence the income tax
plank agreed upon by the resolutions
committee, was omitted from the plat
fern as read and adopted. The sub
ject, however, is covered by the re-
affirmation of the Chicago platform,
and I take this occasion to reassert
my belief in the principle which I'M
derlies the income tax. Congress
should have authority to levy and col
lect an income tax whenever neces-
sary, and an amendment to the feder-
al constitution specifically comforting
such authority ought to be supported
by even those who may think the tax
unnecessary at this time. In the hour
of danger the government can draft
the citizen; it ought to be able to draft
the pocketbook as well. Unless mon
ey is more precious than blood, W
cannot afford to give greater protec-
ton to the incomes of the rich than
to the lives of the poor.
Imperialism.
The subjects, however. treated in
this letter, important as each may
seem in itself, do not press so impera-
lively for solution as the question
which the platform declares to be the
paramount issue in this campaign.
Whether WI shall adhere to, or aban-
don those ideas of government which
have distinguished this nation from
other nations and given to its history
it's peculiar charm and value, is a aues
ton the settlement of which cannot
be delayed. No other question can
approach it in Importance; no other
question demands such immediate con-
sideration. 1t is easier to lose a rep
utation than to establish one, and this
nation would find it a long and labori-
GUS task to regain it's proud position
among the nations, if, under the stress
of temptation, it should repudiate the
s~elf-evident truths proclaimed by our
heroic ancestors and sacredly treas
ured during a rec unparalleled in
the annals of time. When the doc
trine that the people are the only
source of power is made secure from
further attack we can safely proceed
to the settlement of the numerous
questions which involve the domestic
and economic welfare Of our citizens.
Very truly yours,
w. j. Bryan.