Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-02-21
LEVY UNJUST TAXES.
OUR ACTS IN THE PHILIPPINES ON
A PAR WITH ENGLAND'S.
Vital Principle of Taxation without
Representation Is Involved-This
Same Injustice Drove the American
Colonies to Revolt.


The Outlook of Dec. Z seems to find
cause for congratulation in the fact
that the Philippine tariff bill provides
that the money collected on goods i'm
ported from the Philippines to the
United States shall be held as sep
arate fund and paid into the treasury
Of the Philippine Islands to be used
and expended for the government and
benefit of said islands" The editor of
the Outlook reminds his readers that
his paper insisted upon this provision
in a previous issue, and he rejoices
that the demand was complied with.
Before our esteemed contemporary
jubilates too much over this provision
1t would be we'll for him to read the
protest against English rule written by
John Jay and approved by the colonial
congress, Oct. 81, 1774. AS this protest
is reproduced in the Worlds Best Ora
lions as we'll as in many other publ
cations, the editor of the Outlook will
have no difficulty in finding it. His at
tention is called especially to the fol-
lowing words, which appeared in that
protest:
"These, and many other impositions,
were laid upon us, most unjustly and
unconstitutionally for the express pur-
pose of raising revenue. In order to
silence complaint, it was indeed pro-
vided that this revenue should be ex-
pended in America for its protection
and defense. These eXactions, how
ever, can receive no justification from
a pretended necessity of protecting and
defending us. They are lavishly
squandered on court favorites and min
isterial dependents, generally avowed
enemies to America, and employing
themselves by partial representations
to traduce and embroil the colonies"
Here is an English precedent for the
provision inserted by a Republican
congress and gleefully Endorsed by
great religious periodical. 1t Is not
strange that colonial policy such as
England enforced against the Amer
can colonies, should, when adopted
here, bring with it all the hypocrisy
and false pretense that characterized
its administration against our fore
fathers, but nevertheless it is humili-
ating that our nation should be doing
to-day exactly the same things against
which earnest and effective protest was
made a century and a quarter ago.
ITO silence complaint" now, as then,
the revenues are to be turned over to
the colonies, but what Of the principle
of taxation without representation?
What of the theory of government
without the consent of the governed?
The revolutionary patriots were not
willing to surrender the right of self
government merely because the Eng
lish turned over to them the proceeds
of unconstitutional taxation.
There is another parallel between
jays protest and present conditions in
the Philippines. 1t was complained
that the revenues collected without au-
thority and then turned back to the
colonists ito silence complaint" were
"lavishly squandered on court favor
ties and ministerial dependents" While
we have no court favorites as yet, we
have ministerial dependents, men ap-
pointed by the President, who have
fixed for themselves larger salaries
than are paid for the same kind OF
work in this country. Complaint was
made that the salaried officials appoint
ed by England were ''avowed enemies
to America" and employed themselves
in "traducing and embroiling the COL
onies." If any one will read the official
reports that come from the Philippine
Islands he will be convinced that the
Filipinos are being governed by
"avowed enemies" of their principles,
however they may profess friendship
for the Filipinos themselves.
Step by step the doctrine of Imperial
ism Is advancing, and unless the Amer
lean people are prepared to adopt the
European idea of government there |
must be protest that will rescue the
Republican party from its present ten
denotes or drive it from power.-The
Commoner.
--
Western Intolerance.
frNn bod