The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1915-12-29
of Democratic Direct Taxes

Dakota.-lt Is my conviction That the
necessity for the imposition Of taxes
like these-some of which bear heav-
lily and unequally on certain members
of each community-arises from the
mistaken fiscal policy of the present
administration. In former years we
have found it possible to raise the
revenue necessary for the support Of
the government in time Of peace with
out imposing taxes on many of the
common transactions Of life in the
manner this act does. This admins
tration came into power pledged to a
program of economy, which, it was
stated, would reduce the appropria-
tions far below what they had been
under republican administrations. Yet
the expenditures of this administra-
ton have been greater than under any
administration since the Civil War
1t is often urged that the war in
Europe is responsible for the failure
of the Underwood Act to produce the
needed revenues. During the first
nine months of the calendar year 1913
our total imports were valued at ST.
327 ,OOO, 900; for the same period in
1914, during two Of which months
war existed, they totaled S1,410,000,-
900; and during the same nine months
in 1915 their total value was 81 ,302,-
OOO,O or only S25,0OO,OO0 less than
for the same period in 1913. But
while in 1918 we collected for the
nine months duties amounting to
$242, ,624 900, in 1915 the duties col
lected totaled only S14s,225, 900, or
almost SlO0,O0O,O00 less. The deficit
in our revenues should not be attribut-
ed to the war, but must be charged to
the defect in legislation which re-
duced our revenues from tariff duties
without making adequate provision for
raising from other sources the revc-
nues required.
Congressman Madden of Illinois,
read a squib in newspaper the other
day TO this effect. An Italian ap-
peared before a court to make appli-
cation for naturalization papers, and
in the course of the examination the
judge inquired Of him if he belonged
to any society that was inimical to
the interests Of the United States,
and he said that he was a democrat.
And | think that no society that could
be organized anywhere within the
boundaries of the United States could
have done more harm to the American
people than the democrats have done
since the inauguration of President
Wilson. They have opened the ports
of America to the markets of the
world. They have closed the factor
les and the workshops and thrown
American workmen out of employ
ment They have taxed them beyond
every hope and reason, and today we
pay every kind Of a tax under the
sun. They came into power on the
promise Of an economical expenditure
of the public money. They have been
most recklessly extravagant in that
respect of any party that ever existed.
The people throughout the la-d are
protesting against the iniquity of this
law. They do not want it renewed.
1t ought not to be- 1t ought never to
have been enacted.
Congressman Mondell of Wyoming.
In the good old days, in the good
old republican days-Uncle Sam,proud
and dignified, prosperous, sat in the
place of customs and from the goods
and wares offered there in compe-
tition with the labor and industry Of
our country collected goodly sums
without burden to our people, which
met abundantly the public needs. But
today Uncle Sam, worried, abashed,
apologetic, stands hat in hand, beg
ging pennies at the telephone booths,
levying tribute on little children and
sweet girl -raduates in the tax on
gum. Et the chastened joy with
which we pay our debts by giving
new note is chilled and dampened by
the shadow Of the clutching fingers
of the Treasury taking its toll of our
hard earned promises to pay. Whether
we buy or sell or borrow, the demo-
cratic administration stands at our
shoulders. a begger of picavlnes.