The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1905-10-20

the general subject of overcoming thu
Treasury deficit.
1t Is expected that the President will
refer in his annual message to the
question of campaign contributions
and it is known that there are many
Senators and Representatives who
would favor prompt action in the en-
actment of prohibitive legislation.
ChandIer's Bill to Prohibit Con-
tributiorS.
AS far back as 1901, Senator Chand-
Ter of New Hampshire introduced &
bill to prohibit those nat Dnal banks OF
corporations which do an interstate or
foreign business from making any po-
litical contributions, and to prohibit
any corporations from contributing to
campaigns involving the election OF
United States Senators and Represen
tatives. The bill was almost imme
diately favorably reported to the Sem
ate, but it was near the end of the
short session and 1t failed of passage.
The evident fact that it could not be
taken up and passed may account for
the entire lack of opposition to it.
What strength will develop against
atical. 1t is no secret that many cor
porations regularly contribute to both
political parties. Mr.. Havemeyer, of
the sugar trust, has declared in plain
language that he has contributed to
the Democrats and Republicans alike.
Publishing the Donations.
The discussion next winter is likely
to centre largely around the Presi-
dents plan for the publication of all
campaign contributions, with view
to framing such law as will prevent
money from being spent for corrupt
practices. Every one recognizes that
in order to have the great political
issues properly contested there is a
certain need of money. The publica-
ton and distribution of speeches and
all classes of literature is quite gem
orally regarded as not to be condemned,
but as of advantage in having the
questions of the day properly under
stood by the voters.
Leaders in Congress are but a unit
In declaring that it is only when
money is expended in order to corrupt
voters that the expenditure can be crit
icised. But it is generally believed that
this subject will give rise to an inn
mense amount of debate in the next
Congress. There are score of Sena-
tors and large number of Represen-
tatives who will wish to go on record
saying things about the corporations
and the practice of corporations maxi
ing contributions to political cam
paigns.
Propose Tax On Medicines.
The question of the taxation of pat
ent medicines, which contain consider
able alcohol, is bound to receive seri-
Gus consideration by Congress, espe-
cially IL the present rate of the Treas
TRY deficit continues. The deficit is
running about SIS 100000 a month now,
which Is considerably less than last
year, still it is possible that 1t may
increase to an annoying extent and
some action by Congress. |
There has been a number of extra ex-
penses which has caused the deficit, |
and there are other extra expenses |
ahead, while it is, of course, not certain |
to what extent Congress will increase
or pare down appropriations. A num-
Der of congressional leaders have had /
in mind. as a partial increase in the /
revenue desired, tax on" patent medi-
cines,
Patent Medicine Men Will Fight.
The Commissioner of Internal Rev.
enue has been called upon for unofficial
and an opinion on these |
non-revenue producing alcoholics. The
patent medicine people recognize that
n fight is ahead and they propose to
meet 1t. They will resist efforts to
impose special taxes upon them, claim
ing with apparent force that the alco-
hol used in their medicines has al
ready paid its tax.