Washington sentinel., 1901-02-16
PASS THIS BILLl

There is small doubt but that
the enthusiasm of the maj ority in
Congress for repeal OF taxation has
cooled and Willingness now exists
to interpose obstacles IN the way
of the passage of the War Reduc-
tion bill to ultimately work its de-
feat.
This situation must not be al
lowed to continue.
Delay in the passage OF this bill
is caused by what the House is
pleased to call the Senate's usur-
patton OF its constitutional prerog-
ative--the right to originate a rev.
enue bill. The usuTpation consists
mainly in amending the House bill
by decreasing still further the rates
fixed bv the House in some cases,
increasing them in others, replac
ing items eliminated by the lower
branch, and, in one instance, in
Producing new legislation-the to-
bacco reduction clause.
1t will hardly be denied that the
Senate has right TO amend any
bill sent over by the House. The
measure in dispute originated
IA the House, was passed by that
body. was sent to the Senate,
amended over there and returned
TO the House. II II contains new
Legislation having other than a
House origin, which that body Is
unwilling to have the Senate in
corporate in the bill either from
constitutional or economic reas-
ons, why should the entire meas
ure, upon the passage OF which the
safety and permanency OF business
interests depend. be jeopardized
when the elimination Of the objec-
tionable feature or features could
settle the whole controversy and
bring the much desired relielP
Many times in the last few wears
has there been as much, or more,
provoc alton to raise this issue.
Time and again has the House
sent to the Senate revenue bill,
for which the Senate substituted
one oi its own. Why, when there
was more time to settle this issue
wit out endangering the public
interests, was not the fight made1
WHY, OF all others, is this oppor-
tunity chosen for making the 6ght7
The House is partly correct in its
contention. No provision was
made in the War Revenue Reduc-
tion bill for IS per cent. decrease
in the tobacco schedule, or for any
decrease at all.
The addition Of this item to the
bill constitutes new legislation and
justifies the opposition Of the
House to Senatorial usurpatioD Of
its rights. Neither did the House
bill contain any mention OF the
tax on bank checks. The reinser-
tion Of this item by the Senate will
here too be held to be piece of
new legislation not previously
sanctioned by the House-in fact
disapproved bv that body and
hence giving just cause of com
plant as Infringing upon the priv
ilsges guaranteed by the Consti-
tuition.
The situation is susceptible OF
easy solution. Let the Conference
Committee reduce the tobacco
tax from Ia 10 10 cents a pound
II gratuitV is thought necessary
for the peace oi mind OF tobacco
manufacturers who never paid
penny OF the tax; let them repeal
the tax on bank checks, as there
seems to be much honest opposi.
tion to its retention; let the beer
AK stand. the Senate's right to re-
dsce the rate from 81 90 TO 81 so
oeirR unquestIoned on the score
OF coIstitutionalit!-. necessary to
proteetNoth the industry and the
Governmsot exchequer frop loss,
and opporte0e, judging from the
entire absence Of public disappro-
val following llis action.
Let a report te formulated on
this basis, let il e presen ed in
both Houses, and OF word Tor II,
constitutional prerogsives will be
waived, opposition will NeIt away,