Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-09-17
DEMOCRATS AT 1T
CONTINUED from Page 4

The Democratic administration is
just one row after another, one en-
barra ssing ENHANCEMENT after an
other. A few days ago the sun burst
in full view upon the situation, Dem
oerats and Republicans were joining
hands on emergency war measures.
1t was the patriotic thing to do. Con-
gress was getting along grandly.
'Quarrels galore there had been to be
sure within Democratic ranks, but,
mayhap, these were all over. The
work of Congress now would surely
progress in peace and good order,
But hold. Forty eight hours had not
passed before Democrats were at 1t
hot and heavy, both in Senate and
House, having trouble a plenty And
so 1t stands and so the session of Con-
gress will probably be to the end
which, now, seemeth not far away.
The administration has apparently
put it's foot in 1t, so to speak, with
a war revenue bill. 1t has undertake
en- to place an additional tax of so
cents the barrel upon beer; 20 cents
the gallon upon wines, and per
cent. tax upon freight bills. This
seemed all very simple and direct, till
some one began to look behind the
scenes a little. The tax of 20 cents
upon wine falls heavily upon Califor-
MIA and may almost drive the wine
makers out of business. not only in
California but in some Eastern states
like New York and Missouri. But
that freight tax has produced more
complications. than any Democratic
legislators dreamed,
1t may not hurt the Eastern states
along the Atlantic seaboard material
ly but the burden will fall heavily up
on the far Western states, like Ore
gon, California and Washington. Ev-
cry box of citrous fruit, for instance,
would have to pay 2 Ia cents and cit
rous fruit is already handicapped by
the reduction of tariffs thereon. But
But the far Western people must al
so pay freight taxes for the products
they receive from the East. Then
there is a question of CONSTITUTIONAL
ity. 1t is said the tax can not be i'm
posed on goods going out of the eoun-
try as it would be an export tax
which the Constitution prohibits.
Many Democrats in the House are
shying at this extra tax bill and Re-
publicans are pummellng Democrats
for their short sightedness. Here is
an issue right at hand for the polit-
zeal campaign and Republicans will
naturally make the most of it.
But the Democratic Senate 1t. too,
is in a terrible tangle over amend
ments to the good Republican Al
drich- Vreeland law The Democrats
there have been liberalizing the AL
drich- Vreeland law to an alarming
extent and rumors are heard that
President Wilson may have to veto it.
One dangerous amendment permits
state banks to have emergency cur
rency from the Federal treasury. II
is not quite clear how tn ajority
party can get out of its ridiculous po-
sition on that BILL o,
Many people are getting weary and are
at the point where they do not propose to
stay at Washington much. longer. They
see the war crisis, as far as affairs in
this county are concerned passing and
ask themselves why they should remain
away from home longer. Republicans in
Congress are taking the attitude that the
war revenue bill is unnecessary any way
and serves chiefly to cover extravagances
of the Democratic majorities. Why not
economize a little in government mat
tiers? Was not that one of the Demo-
cratic slogans. uttered voluby for the
purpose of getting into power over the
Republicans?