The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1916-07-20
DEBATE IN HOUSE
ST|RS REPUBLICANS

Washington, July 20.-The de-
bate in the house of representatives
recently over the administration s
revenue bill covers much of the field
of discussion during the present cam.
paign. The democrats offered a
measure for the imposition of mum
erous direct taxes upon the Ameri-
can people and the republicans com
batted Il upon the principle that the
best source of federal revenue is the
tax upon the importation of foreign
which tax must be paid by
the foreigner and thus affords pro-
lection to the American producer. The
revenue measure puts before the
country the fundamental difference
between the republican and demo-
cratic PARTIES, and therefore, IL em-
phasizes the importance OF revenue
policies as live issues in politics. BY
insisting upon the imposition of Ii
rect rather than indirect taxes, the
democrats have forced the tariff as
"a political issue.
At the outset of the debate, Con-
gresham Bennet. of New York, made
telling point against the methods
Of the democratic party when he crit
iclzed the adoption OF rule which
prevented the effective offering Of
amendments by republicans. Adop-
tion of the rule meant that the con-
trolling influences in the democratic
party would dictate the details of the
measure. even though a minority OF
the democrats and the republicans
really believed some other provisions
might be wiser. Since the demo-
cratic majority in congress is domin-
ated by the membership from the
solid south. II was evident that the
south proposed to pass tax law
under which the north would pay the
great bulk OF the taxes. This sec
tional discrimination incident TO dem
ocratic methods was not commented
upon by Mr.. Bennett, who contented
himself with calling attention to the
fact that adoption OF the rule is In
direct violation OF the reforms which
the progressives have been demand
Ing and the effect must be TO pre-
clude the progressive from voting tho
democratic ticket
Representative Campbell, OF Kan
sas. who led the opening debate on
the merits OF the bill. declared that
although there have been some In
creases In appropriations due TO pre-
paredness. those increases do not
Justify the enormous tax burdens
which the democrats propose TO en-
pose upon the American people. Con-
his argument into few
he said: There has never
been a time OF peace in the history
Of our country that we have not pro-
duced sufficient revenue 10 pay all
our expenses. when the government
Imposed import duties high enough
10 protect the industries OF the coun-
Try. On the other hand. there has
never been a time when our customs
duties have been so low as to give
freedom OF trade. In which the reve- |
nues have not been insufficient TO de-
tray the expenses OF the govern
nent." Mr.. campbll gave statistics
% prove his assertion and quoted |
Jefferson and Jackson in support OF
protective tariffs. which were good |
democratic policies until the party,
inder the leadership of Calhoun, be- /,
,ame an exponent OF free trade.
One OF the humorous. and. from a
democratic standpoint. unfortunate /
OF the debate was a refer ,
snce TO the Inauguration of the use
If horsemeat for human food during /
he hard times that followed the en-
lctment OF the Underwood law, Rep /
Quin, democrat, of Mis-
iissippi, undertook to defend the use
Of horsemeat and said, "Is not horse
neat good meat?" To this Repre-
Hill, of Connecticut, re-
,lied: 81 am not willing to vote for
policy that will compel American
itizens to eat horsemeat. | would
rive every workingman porter
louse steak il had my way. The
Gentleman from Mississippi can Of
Tor horsemeat to the workingmen
II his state IL he wants to-" II