The Washington times., 1913-08-27
SHERMAN ATTACKS
SYSTEM OF SPO|LS'
Says Taking Tax Workers From
Civil Service Is First Break
in LeVee.

The first of a series of attacks on the
Democrats for trying to break down
the civil service in connection with the
administration Of the income tax was
made on the floor OF the Senate today
by Senator Sherman, of Illinois.
The Democratic organization in Con-
gress has planned to throw open the
door TO political appointees in the COL
lection of the income tax. In the course
Of the income tax discussion, Repuo-
licans will make much of this. Senator
Sherman said:
Paragraph o of the income tax sec
ton appropriates sl,2OO.OO0 for additional
employees to carry ii into effect, and
eXempts them all from civil service
laws. Why is this necessary? Is the
law exhausted or unfit? Is the work
So difficult as to be impossible OF per-
fornRnc unless touched and sanctifled
as spsils? 1t is neither.
1t is an assault on civil service. 1t is
a legislative precedent. If this succeeds,
covert paragraphs will soon ornament
departmental appropriations every time
a supply bill makes its appearance in
this chamber. 1t is the first break in
the dam. If not repaired the food be-
hind will force itself through. The Gov
ernment Is noS making a valuation OF
all our railways. The employees to be
engaged in this work are under civil
service. Why is the income tax en-
ploye eXempted?"
Criticise Features.
Senator Sherman criticised various
features of the bill, including some Of
the other provisions of the income tax
sections. He also opposed the cotton
futures provision in the bill, urging the
Government not to license gambling. He
said:
Cotton gambling is licensed at 80
cents bale with no serviceable distinc-
ton between an intention to deliver or
not deliver actual cotton in the future
II is admitted this will in practice load
the legitimate sales of cotton with many
millions of dollars. Who pays this ?
Either the cotton grower or the final
consumer of cotton goods II is simply
another toll station built on the road
between the man who produces and the
man who uses.
'These acucmulating charges on do
mestic poduction are already intoler-
able. They are now one of the respon-
siole causes of the high prices COM
plained of. Is 1t not better to take
those burdens on our domestic COM
merce rather than put others on?
am opposed to this section entirely.
II sales Of cotton are in good faith for
actual future delivery they are lawful
alike under the laws OF the States
where the exchanges are and in the
interstate commerce of'the country as
well.
Gambling Criminal.
Gambling in futures is criminal, its
transactions are civily void and the
State courts are closed to those who in
woke their remedies. Declare such
gambling operated between citizens of
different States a misdemeanor by an
act of Congress. Do not license it. The
Government thereby becomes a part
ner in an offense against morals and
the rules of legitimate trade.
If these tariff schedules for revenue
only so exhaust the Treasury that we
must compound with gambling to re-
'plenish it. II is BETTER to raise the rate
than to divide the gamblers spoils.
The ma ajority of the Senate Commit
tee on Finance report that a large vol
Ume of transactions for future delivery
OF cotton is lin its last analysis gamb-
ling" 1t is further said the imposition
of poper tax is fit not only to 'elimi-
nate but to collect a considerable
sum of revenue
What would be thought of munich
pality that offered to divide the plunder
of transactions that in their last analy-
sis are gambling? Who will justify
eliminating a parasite by licensing him
to continue TO infest the country he in
habits for the sake of the money he
pays to the Government? This is one
Bind of tainted money that can be seq
regated and condemned at its source"