The Clayton citizen. [volume] (Clayton, Union County, N.M.) 1906-19??, 1916-08-17

in
Senator IaggarUs speecn, maue IN
connection with the proposed revenue,
was remarkable in many respects.
He chided his colleagues for their
extravaganza, called for a more bust
ness-like administration of the gov
ernment affairs and took issue with
many congressman, senator's and the
president on the question of raising
revenue.
Taggart Reviews Legislation
Senator Taggart reviewed the legis-
lation that has been passed since he
entered the senate, telling which he
approved and which he did not ap-
prove.
He declared definitely his opposi-
tion to the rivers and harbors bill, por-
tions of the agricultural bill and the
public buildings bill.
Finally, he devoted himself to an
attack on the way the revenue pro-
vided in the administration revenue
bill is to be raised.
In the face of definite opposition by
the president to bond issue, Senator
Taggart declared himself unqualified
ly for budget system and bond
issue.
Insists on ScrupulOus Care
Taggart insisted public business
should be conducted with the same
scrupulous care as private business.
81 WONDER" he asked, "'what would
happen to each senator and each
member Of the house il he spent or
appropriated money in his private af-
fairs as he spends it in public affairs ?
wonder how long it would be until
we would all find ourselves in bank
ruptcy? On the other hand, wonder
what would happen to the country if
every member of the senate and house
would make up his mind in the direc-
tion of rigid economy, and fearlessly
cut off every useless dollar of ap-
preparations l wonder if the tax
! payers would rise up and revolt
against congress if such a thing
should happen? l favor a liberal but
businesslike economy"
Speaking of constant increases in
taxation, Senator Taggart said:
81 believe the taxpayers of the ma.
tion would like to be given a rest
from having their taxes increased ev.
cry year. These enormous increase.
in appropriations and taxes cannot gC
on forever. There must and will bC
day of reckoning. The power to ta1
means the power to destroy, and We
do not want to destroy the earning
power of the people by overtaxation
Congress is getting into the habit o.
casting about to find things on which
: to place a tax, instead of vigilantlN
seeking where it can economize with
out injury to the public service"
Emphatically FavOrs Budget
= With respect to the responsibilit!
) for extravaganza, he said:
5 "The party in control holds tn,
5 purse strings Of the treasury and i
2 should assume responsibility for dis
bursements. If it fails to assume thi
t responsibility, it fails to do its duty.
= Taggart declared unqualifedly il
{ favor of a budget.
r "The first thing congress does" h,
e continued, "is to determine how mucl
| money it wants to appropriate ant
Y it proceeds to make the appropriation
t whether or not the revenues are suf
r ficient to meet them.
, at seems to me that we should be
gin at the other end, and first Sc
whether our revenues are sufficient t.
: meet ordinary demands. If the reve
nues are insufficient, then curtail an,
{ cut off every useless appropriation
Economy is itself great revenue
Once congress embarks upon this pol
e icy there would be no conditions o
: laying taxes as suggested in the pres
ent revenue bill.'