The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-12

selves of the present excellent opportunity
! 10 devise a more just, equitable and per-
| manent system of taxation. He argued that
| there should be reformation of the tariff
| and an abolition of the custom duties which
have created trusts and mcnopolies.
MIR. swanson insisted that ms Govern
ment should collect that revenue from
| capital, incomes, and profits rather than
| from the consumption and the business
| and occupation of the people: that taxes
should be levied upon what a man has
and not upon what he needs" He said
that there should be reduction made now
lii the revenues of at least s70. COO, 600 in
stead Of the $4,000. 600 as provided for in
the bill; that there existed in the Treas
ury surplus of over $4,000, 900 more
than the expenditures OF the last fiscal
year. and that the Secretary of the Treas
ury had stated that under existing law
| there will be similar surplus in 1901
The Secretary of the Treasury had esti-
mated that under the existing law the
revenues for 1902 would amount to about
S41 100000 more than those of last year;
hence II the expenditures for 1902 did not
exceed those of the last year there would,
under existing law. be in the Treasury a
surplus Of 1921 660, 900. MIR. Swanson stated
that the Secretary of the Treasury had
however. estimated that the surplus for
1862 would be only s26, 000. 600, but that he
estimated this small surplus by increas-
Ing over l,O06,000.0O0 the proposed ex-
penditures for 1902 over the last fiscal
year.
Mr.. Swanson then argued that unless
the Administration proposed to make
reckless expenditures in two years from
now the governmental appropriations
should greatly decrease instead Of in
crease; that with the organization Of
home government in Cuba, with the pacifi-
cation of the Philippine Islands, and with
a settlement of the Chinese complications.
all of which the Administration assured
us would be settled in less than two
years, there ought to be an immense re-
duction in governmental expenses. Thus
he claimed the revenue could at this time
be safely reduced at least SOL 600 600 with
out at all embarrassing the Treasury.
He stated that the only persons who are
benefited by large surplus in the Treas
ury were those who are seeking extrava-
CANT and unjust appropriations. the ma
tional banks that are DESTROYS OF contin-
uing the large governmental deposits free
of interest. and the bondholders who de-
sire the Government to redeem their
bonds at high and an exorbitant pre-
MUM.
Commerce trade, and business, said Mr..
Swanson in conclusion, demand the elm
nation of this great surplus and that
this Congress should not adjourn without
reducing taxes at least s70,G00,o60; that
by limiting the reduction to $40,o0O.ocO,
as provided for in the bill, many interests
equally as deserving of relief as those re-
lievcd in the bill would be left with heavy
burdens upcn Them. The tobacco interest
which suffered from heavy taxation, was
certainly entitled to as much relief as the
proprietors of circuses and museums, who
were relieved of all burdens. The Demo-
Gratis in the House would ask for the
recommtment of the bill, with instruc
items to provide for reduction of at least
STG.G0a. Geo.
MIR. Swanson having concluded, the COM
mitter rose and the Speaker laid before
the T. use a message from the President
trarsziitting a report from Secretary Hay
of the refunding by him of the S2s7 ,S24
balance Of the award in the We'll claim,
paid by Mexico, which the Court Of Claims
had decided had been obtained by fraud
on the 9TH of February last. The balance
on hand Of the La Abra award, Secretary
Hay stated, had been refunded to Mexico.
There was accompanying the report the
acknowledgment by Senior Azriroz, Mex;-
can Ambassador, of the receipt of the
money.
At o'clock the House adjourned until
3:15 o'clock today.