Weather To-Dayi FAIR ; COLDER.
voi. \LV no |47.
Dewey Needs the Oregon
REASONS POLITICAL—EUROPEAN
COMPLICATIONS SUGGESTED.
Secretary Long Says, However, it Has no Po
litical Significance —Meanwhile the
Insurgents Are Active.
Washington, Fob. 24.—The following
dispatch has been received at the Navy
Department:
“Manila, Feb. 24th.
“For political reasons the Oregon
should be sent here at once.
(Signed.) “DEWEY.”
“Manila, Feb. 24.
“Yorktown arrived. Charleston and
Petrel cruising around the Philippine
Islands. Affairs more quite.
(Signed.) "DEW hi.
“San Francisco, Cal., Feb. 23. 1
“The O.egon arrived at 11 ilo February
4th and at Honolulu February sth. Iris
and Scandia arrived on the
(Signed.) “GRIIFEN.
Mr. Griffon is dispatch agent of the
Department.
The cablegram from Admiral Dewey
asking for the Oregon was received with
surprise by the officials here. No one
knew, or at least would admit that he
knew, the nature of the political reasons
why the Admiral demands the immediate
presence of the peerless battleship.
The cablegram was taken before the
Cabinet and fully discussed. The Ad
miral, it is said, possibly feels that the
moral effect of the presence of the big
ship upon insurgents themselves, and
particularly upon the large element
among the Filipinos that is believed to
be restrained with difficulty from join
ing fortunes with Aguinaldo, with whom
their sympathies lie, would lie good. But
there is an underlying doubt whether or
not the Admiral may not In* keenly
sighting a gathering cloud in the East,
and is looking to the prevention of any
possible intervention or interference by
European powers in the struggle now in
progress in the neighborhood of Manila.
It is believed that in the big tires much
property of foreign residents and busi
ness concerns was destroyed. That these
tires were caused by the insurgents can
not be denied, and it may be tliat some
of the foreign naval commanders in
the East are disposed to seize upon
the pretext that their interests demand
protection which we cannot afford them,
to make a landing, or do something ob
noxious to the United States and likely
to encourage the insurgents.
With such a strong naval force as
would be afforded by the reinforcement
of Dewey’s fleet by the Oregon, there
could not be any sound reason, nor even
a plausible reason, for any such action
on the part of these parties. It is said
here that up to this moment there has
been no intimation of a purpose on the
part of any foreign Government to file
any claims for pecuniary remuneration
for the property of their citizens destroy
ed in the tires and fighting at either
Manila or Iloilo. Just what disposition
would be made of any such claim is not
indicated here, and there is ground for
the belief that if it can shown that our
military and naval officers practiced the
precautions required by international law
in the matter of giving due notice to
foreigners of any action in the way of
bombardment that might injure their
property, and otherwise did evcrytning
that could be done to protect the foreign
interests equally with our own, then
there is little foundation for a sound
claim for damages.
The Oregon arrived at Honolulu on
the stli instant, according to the tele
graphic report that came to the Navy
Department this morning. No mention
was made of her being in need of re
pairs, as has been stated in the press
despatches.
Assuming that the battleship really
needed ten days’ repairs, she should have
started away from Honolulu on her
long run to Manila on the 15th instant.
Allowing for detention on account of
coaling at Guam or some other point
between Honolulu and Manila it is es
timated that the Oregon will reach Ma
nila about the 10th of March.
The Cabinet gave some attention to
Dewey’s cable message relative to the
political importance of the sending of The
Oregon at once to Manila. The Depart
ment: reached the conclusion that too
much importance should not be attached
to it; that Dewey wants the big ship to
influence tin* Filipinos through fear.
Secretary Long when asked for an ex
planation of the reference to political
reasons in the dispatch said:
*T am sure that it has no internation
al significance. You may state that
positively. Probably be wants a fine
ship there as the American commission
ers are about due and it will give weight
to the American representatives.” /
It is suggested from other naval sources
that Dewey wants the Oregon to re
lease a number of the smaller ships of
the fleet for other work. He has been
planning a tour among the islands other
than Luzon, with the purpose of estab
lishing the authority of the United
States among the islands.
It is also necessary to establish a close
blockade to prevent the insurgents from
receiving supplies. Meanwhile thp War
Department officials were agreeably sur
prised this morning to learn that Gen
eral Otis at Manila had received the
first of his reinforcements nearly six
days before they were ex|*ected. They
earne on the Reandia. which brought
half of the Twentieth infantry. She
sailed from San Francisco January 26th
in company with the Morgan City, which
has aboard the remaining half of the
The News and Observer.
LEADS ALL NORTM CAROLINA DMUEB 11 lEIS AND CIRCULATION.
Twentieth infantry, and as both ships
were at Honolulu at the same time the
Morgan City also will be reported at
Manila within 24 hours, unless she has
been detained, which is not expected.
The transports Ohio and Senator, with
the Twenty-Second infantry aboard,
sailed from San Francisco only five days
later than the Scandia. so that within a
week Otis will have 2,500 of the fresh
men to relieve those who have been
lighting on the outposts.
“What then, did the Chief Executive
mean by telling those who gathered
around the banquet board at Boston
that up to the ratification of the treaty
he had simply held the Philippines as
Commander-in-Chief without any policy
of his own, leaving the whole matter to
he determined afterward by Congress?
Was he foolish enough to believe that
his mere statement would be allowed to
pass unchallenged? Was he vain enough
to suppose that his ipse dixit would con
clude the matter, with the damaging
proof of its falsity so near at hand?
“Mr. Chairman, why did the President
change his original intention as to the
terms to he incorporated into the treaty?
What was the influences that brought
the change about? I have heard it
stated that the applause of the people
who greeted him just about this junc
ture of public affairs, while he was on
his tour in the West, was the reason for
it. Was it, then, the condition of public
sentiment rather than the right or wrong
of the matter which influenced the Pres
idential mind?
“And is His Excellency quite sure
that he properly gauged the condition of
the public mind on the subject of Phil
ippine annexation? Is he absolutely cer
tain that one swallow really makes a
whole summer? It would seem so, for
in his Home Market Club address, he
excitingly declared that the annexation
treaty had passed the Senate by over
two-thirds and was sanctioned by the
judgment of nine-tenthes of his country
men. How the treaty finally got its
two-thirds majority in the Senate —the
tremendous pressure necessary to secure
if there —where its fate hung doubtful
and trembling in the balance until the
very lalest moment and was then only
saved by the votes of Senators who had
most of them spoken against it. no man
knows better than Mr. McKinley.
Adulation has indeed sorely blinded the
Chief Executive to the truth if he im
agines that even the majority of.his
countrymen approve of this permanent
holding in the Orient. Let him not pin
his faith too securely to the sordid in
terests which clamor so loudly in his
hearing. If he will but ou'et the noisy
throng which surround him long enough
to put his car to the ground and listen,
he will distinguish the premonitions of
the coming stormT he will hear the
steady tread, not of the 100.000 men
whom he demands for a crusade against
liberty, blit of a mighty army of free
people who are beginning to move in de
fense of their cherished traditions and
Iheir violated honor.
“We have been told further that the
President yielded up his first blush im
pressions at the importunity of Admiral
Dewey who urged that the Philippines
should he retained. Mr. Chairman, t..e
Chief Executive cannot screen himself
behind the gold lace of the hero of
Manila. •
Alt RIVAL OF TIIE SCANDIA.
Manila, Fen. 24.-10:30 a. m.—Owing
to the wholesale arrests of all suspect
ed Filipinos yesterday, and the clear
ance of the streets at 7 o’clock last night,
the threatened renewal of the scenes of
the previous night did not occur. With
the exception of a few shots fired in
the neighborhood of the penitentiary, the
city was as quiet as possible.
Outside Manila the rebels were very
active. Near Caloocan, the brigade
commanded by General Harrison Gray
Otis had several lively skirmishes with
the rebels. But at daylight the enemy
was driven back with severe loss.
The feeling in this city is much im
proved to-day and business generally has
been resumed. Excellent order is main
tained by General Hughes’ police force,
which is universally commended.
The United States transport Scandia,
with the Twentieth infantry on board,
has'arrived here from San Francisco,
which port she left on January 26th.
All duties on importations of fresh
fruits, vegetables and meats have been
temporarily suspended.
Orders have been issued to enforce the
provisional customs tariff at Iloilo and
the following officers have been appoint
ed to conduct the civil affairs of Iloilo:
Major Theodore Stoniberg. treasurer:
Captain J. T. Evans, collector of cus
toms; Ensign L. 11. Everett, port cap
tain: E. C. Hatch. Eighteenth infantry,
collector of revenue.
ENEMY KEPT UP A HOT FIRE.
Manila, Feb. 24—1:44 p. ill. —The
enemy's sharpshooters have been parti
cularly active about Caloocan all day.
Special attention was paid to the three
gun battery near the railroad and the
improvement of the rebel mnrkmanship
was very noticeable. The rebels fired
volleys at the battery, the bullets fre
quently skimming the tops of the sand
bags. A lieutenant of the Twentieth
Kansas volunteers and three other men
RALJCIOH, N,C.. SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY. ‘JS U-99.
were slightly wounded. A man was kill
ed in the trenches to-day.
The rebel battery has not been used
since a shell from the United States
doubled-turreted monitor Monadnoek
exploded over it yesterday.
Tim enemy’s fire was so hot. during
the night, in the vicinity of the Higgins
House, that the headquarters was re
moved to a church four hundred yards
inside the lino.
A few small fires have destroyed na
tive shacks in various parts of tin 1
city.
The Twentieth infantry is being dis
embarked from the transport Scandia.
The regiment will he encamped on the
water front, at the former quarters of
the Tennessee volunteers, temporarily.
QUIETED BY SHOT AND SHELL.
Manila, Feb. 25—10:15 a. in.—De
spite the threats of the Filipinos to burn
the business centre, the inhabitants of
Manila were not disturbed last night.
There was not a single incident worth
recording from the time the streets were
cleared until day dawned this morning.
Everything was equally quiet along the
line outsides, except for occasional vol
leys from bunches of the enemy at va
rious points.
The enemy were most active along
General King's and General Overshine’s
line from the beach to Pasig; but a few
volleys of musketry,' supplemented by
shells from the Buffalo effectually quiet
ed them. The foreign consuls met yes
terday to confer regarding commercial
interests, but the result of their delib
erations has not been communicated, it
is understood, to the American authori
ties. The British consul was not present
at the conference.
VENOMOUS ATTACK BY JUNTA.
Hong Kong, Fell. 24.—The Filipino
Junta in Hong Kong publishes a veno
mous anti-American tirade, in part, to
the following effect:
“Chaos and pandemonium reign at
Manila; trade is paralyzed, and provis
ions are at famine prices. The \meri
can officers are afraid to exercise author
ity oyer the recalcitrant soldiers. While
fighting is in progress both military and
police defy their officers and proceed ;«
the front to see what they style Tun.'
“In order to hush the scandal of a
wanton night bombardment of :h • home
of a foreign Consul trim name is not
given), the American authorities prompt
ly Ta d for the damage, hoping to avoid
publicity. The escape of Lie Consul’s
family was miraculous.”
The manifesto alleges that Motor
General Otis is “incapable of filling
his position,” and then procivls .u a
rabid d muneintion of the American sol
diers. declaring that “their conduct is
bringing disgrace upon the while race.”
The Junta says the promises of a
I long Kong merchant at Iloilo have been
looted by Americans and the n •.veh.int
lias lodged heavy claims for his losses.
Tim tirade concludes with the state
ment:
“The reports of the hoisting of Ihe
American flag by the natives of Negros
are practically buncombe.”
• THE RESULTS AT MANILA.
Otis Reports 500 of Enemy Killed ami
Wounded—City Quiet.
■Washington. Feb. 24.—Genera) Otis
to-day cabled the War Department as
follows:
“Manila. February 24th.
“Scandia arrived last night. On '
nights 21st and 22nd and yesterday
morning insurgents troops gained access
to outskirts of city IkOhihl our lines.
Many in hiding and about one thousand
entrenched themselves. Completely
routed yesterday with loss of killed and
wounded about 500 .md 200 prisoners.
Our loss very slight. Cit.v quiet, «vnfi
d nice restored, business pt.n.vcss'm-.
(Signed) “OTJS.”
ARMY REORGANIZATION BILL.
The Compromise is Reported to the
Senate.
Washington, Feb. 24.— The Senate
Committee on Military Affairs reported
the compromise Army Reorganization
Bill just before adjournment of the Sen
ate at 0:30 p. tn.
In the new bill one section covers the
entire increase of the army and it reads
as follows:
“'1 hat to meet tin* present exigences
of the military service the President is
hereby authorized to maintain the regu
lar army at a strength of not exceeding
sixtv-five thousand enlisted men, to be
distributed amongst several branches of
the service according to the needs of
each, and raise a force of not more than
thirty-five thousand volunteer infantry,
a„s he may determine, from the country
at large under general law, or from the
localities where their services may be re
quired with regard to citizenship or ed
ucational qualifications and to form the
same into not more than thirty regiments
organized as infantry regiments of war
strength in the regular army; provided,
further that each regiment shall have
one surgeon with the rank of Major,
two assistant surgeons, one of whom
shall have the rank of Captain and one
that of First Lieutenant, and three hos
pital stewards: provided, that such in
crease in the regular and volunteer
force shall continue in service only dur
ing the necessity therefor, and not later
than July Ist, 1901.”
ALGER WILL NOT RESIGN.
He Declares He Has Never Entertained
Such ail Idea.
Washington. Feb. 24.—'Secretary Alger
returned to Washington to-day and
when asked concerning reports that he
intended to resign from the Cabinet
said that lie never had entertained such
an idea and that so far as his own dis
position was concerned he would remain
in the Cabinet until the end of the pres
ent Administration.
Mr. D. T. Moore, Sr., is quite sik with
pneumonia on West Hargett street.
All ATTACK ON
THE PBESIDENT
Mr. Johnson Likens Him to
the Pious Pt cksniff.
HIS PHILIPPINE POLICY
MR. JOHNSON DECLARES IT IS
A CHIME.
SNECHS AT BtNLVOLENT ASSIMILATION
Declares the President inaugurated the Aggres
sive Annexation Policy, Driving the
Treaty T trough Senate With all
his Official P» wer.
Washington, I’eb. 24.—During the
general debate upon the Army Appro
priation Bill in the House to-day, Mr.
Johnson, (Rep.), of Indiana, wlm made
several notable speeches violently at
tacking the policy of the Administra
tion during the consideration of the
Army Reorganization Bill a fortnight
ago, returned to the assault and deliv
ered against the President and some
of his advisers the most scathing philip
pic heard in the House for mouths, ilo
sneered -it the President and the influ
ence which he alleged controlled him, im
pugned his motives, questioned liis sin
cerity and likened him to Dickens’ most
contemptible character; charged his
Secretary of War with incompetency
atid predicted that the President would
in the end be engulfed by adverse pub
lic sentiment. Although his utterances
were far more sensational than those
in his former speech, and dazed some
of his auditors by the impetuosity with
which tiiey were delivered, the speech
did not raise about him the storm of his
former sneeehes. Mr. Landis, one of
his Republican colleagues from Indiana,
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦❖* ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦s♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦<■♦«♦<>♦♦
I Take I’o Stock in Wltilewashing. i
♦ . I
t> 4
t X
J ( Waoesburo Messenger & I
| There are many good Democrats in |
J this neck of the woods who do not take |
♦ any stock in the whitewashing reporc of |
| the Legislative committee which investi- |
♦ gated the iwo Wilsons; and we are sure ♦
| thit the re-instatement of the Gideonitem j
| the office of Railroad Commissioner is a |
| thing which should not be done* |
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦«*<><>♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
briefly "stated to the House that Mr.
Johnson’s constituents had repudiated
him and the two members had a wordy
duel.
Later in the day Mr. Marsh, (Rep.,
Ills.), replied to some of Mr. Johnson’s
strictures, but the Republican leaders
had evidently decided to ignore the at
tacks of the lndianian, and no general
reply was made to his speech to-da.v.
The Army Appropriation Bill to-day
was lost sight of in the general discus
sion of the policy of tin* Government
relative to the Philippines, and several
notable speeches were f aide, particular
ly that of Mr. Settle, (Dent., Ivy.) The
general debate upon the bill closed to
day and to-morrow the bill will be taken
up for amendment under tlu* five-minute
rule.
“A few evenings ago ” began Mr.
Johnson, “the Home Mnikct Club •>"
Boston, gave a bouquet at which the
President was the principal guest. From
the newspaper accounts of the affair,
it was an exceedingly eiaboraie one.
“The Secretary of War was in attend
ance, lie whom the Boston populace had
hissed upon the streets a few hours be
fore. ere ihev turned to greet with rnptn
ous applause the chief who had he
stowed upon him his official i baraotez
We can hardly Mame them though for
this, Mr. Chairman, for they Mere only
following the precedent set them by some
of tin* leading Repaid can new.,pai**rs of
the country which, for months past,
have been fiercely it*jimu:/ the Seerc
lary and yet have lacked the courage
lo lay their axe to the root of tho evil
and censure the gentleman, Mho to re
ward him for his polit'eoi services and
disbursements in tl '* campaign of 1896.
appointed him to his present position,
and lias maintained hin th. ro ever since,
notwithstanding his ii.tompetcney, an i
against the righteous complaints that
have been made against him
“The Secretary of the Navy also
graced the occasion with liis presence,
and so far forgot Ms usual courtcsv, n
far belied his training and associations
as to repeat the stale and untruthful
charge that those who opposed the rati
fication of tlie* infamous treaty of peace
with Spain were responsible for -he
bloodshed that occurred in the Philip
pines.
“When the Chief Magistrate had
ceased speaking. another piember of
his official family, the gentleman who
presides over the Postofficc Department,
a rose m his place -and proceeded to
load liis chief down with a eulogy so
fulsome and extravagant, so absolutely
given over to hyperbole that no indi
vidual not wholly eaten up with vanity,
cor’d possibly have endured It without
nausea and disgust.
“The newspapers further inform us,
that among the other decorations .hope
were, suspended over the entrance to
rhe banquet hall three portraits, cue of
Washington, one of Lincoln and one of
the I*resident himself, and that beneath
them was the word “Liberators,”
“Now, George Washington fought
with his sword for eight long and bloody
years to establish the right of a people
to govern themselves, and in his fare
well address lie counselled his country
men to live on terms of amity with all
nations and to enter into entangling al
liances with none.
“Abraham Lincoln's whole political
life was a contention for the rights of
man, and his kindly hand penned the
immortal emancipation proclamation
that struck the shackles from the limbs
of millions of bondsmen. One would
think, sir, that the gentleman who had
just then engaged in the prosecution of
a bloody war against a poor and de
fenseless people in the Orient, engaged
fn the unsavory task of Christianizing
them with the sword and civilizing them
at the mouths of cannon, would natur
ally have felt some little embarrassment
as he gazed upon these portraits and read
the significant inscription below. Possi
bly liis Excellency did not see them. He
may have turned his hack upon them
just as he has turned his back lpon
the Declaration of Independence. Be
this as it may, sir, the President does
not appear to have been at all abashed
by this incongruous circumstanes, but
he arose from his seat and there, within
the shadow of the monument of Bunker
Hill, where Warren fell, fighting for lib
erty, and within a stone’s throw of
Fanuiel Hall, where time and again tin
true sons of the old Bay State have sent
forth to tin* country their messages of
freedom, he delivered, jierhaps the most
remarkable, certainly the most disin
genuous address that ever fell from the
lips of an Am rivali President.
“This address, divested of its verbiage,
considered apart from its platitudes and
the ostentatious profession of virtue with
which it was interlarded, was nothing
more nor less than a carefully devised
and studious misstatement of the issue
between the Chief Executive and those
of his own party who are opposed to his
wretched policy in tin- Philippi ns. It
was an effort 'to befog the subject, and
to mislead the public judgment. We are
fold, sir. that this address was received
with enthusiastic appaluse by those
who heard it. but we who read it in
cold print in the light of tlu* indefensible
tragedy now being enacted near the
shores of Asia involuntarily think of that
creation of Charles Dickons who was
accustomed to roll liis eyes piously to
Heaven and exclaim with great ostenta
tion to those about him. ‘My friends,
let us be moral!’ and who was the
lather of two daughters, one of whom
he u a mud Charity ami the other Mercy.
"His Excellency declared upon this
occasion, if not iu so many words at
least in effect, that he had i ever enter
tained any policy uith respect to the
Philippines *q> to the time the treaty of
peace was ratified, but that he had
simply held them as Commander-in-
Chief. The question as to their disposi
tion and control to be determined there
after by Congress.
"If the Chief Executive really feels
as he declared at the banquet that he
did that the disposition of the Philip
pines is a matter t.» be determined by
Congress why does lie not call a special
session of Congress to settle the matter
at once and then keep his hands off?
Heaven knows there is need of action.
If he is sincere why did he permit liis
supporters in the Senate to vote down,
the other day the Bacon resolution
u’hieli distinctly declared that tlu* United
States entertained no intention of per
manently holding these islands. Why did
he insist, that the MeDnery resolution
should be passed: a resolution which is
a fraud, a delusion and a snare, a
shameful evasion, uhieh, like- a Christ
mas tree has something upon it for
everybody.
"Mr. Chairman, I am determined,that
flic President shall neither befog the
issue between himself and those of the
Republican party who oppose his Philip
pine policy nor mislead tlu* public judg
ment, nor shirk the responsibility for
the gross official blunder which he has
committed in connection uith this great
problem. I insist that the whole policy
is not simple au error, but that it is a
crime, and that the Chief Executive of
this Nation is the one who has precipi
tated upon us tin* embarrassments and
the difficulties by which we are now
confronted. I insist that hi* did not
simply hold the Philippines as Com
mander-in-chief, leaving the question of
thp disposition and control of them to-
Congress, but that hi* formulated and
put into execution an affirmative and
(Continued on Second rage.)
Shall Railroads Escape ’
*
TUDGE CONNOR WANTS / v IN
CREASE THEIR ASSESSOR tT.
A Day of Interesting and Lively Debate on the
Proposition to Impose a Tax on the
Gross Receipts of Railroads*
“Resolved, That the Railroad Commission be and arc hereby instructed to
assess the value of'all railway property in this State for taxation on the basis
of 1> per cent upon their net income.” —Resolution introduced in the House yes
terday by Speaker Connor.
There wasn’t what one would call
“much done” in the House yesterday.
But there was a “mighty heap” of
shaking, and some of it of no had qual
ity, either.
All over the proposition to levy a grad
uated tax on the gross earnings of rail
roads.
The discussion began at II o’clock
with a speech by Mr. Winston in oppo
sition to the tax and continued (barring
a short interruption at noon for the elec
tion of a State Librarian and trustees
of the University) till 2:30 o’clock, at
which time Judge Connor introduced tiie
above resolution as a compromise meas
ure.
Pending its adoption, and to give mem
bers time to make up their minds on
it, the House took a recess until 8
o’cloi k last night.
At that hour, however, that matter
was not referred to, only local bills be
ing considered, and the resolution goes
over for consideration again this morning
at the expiration of the morning hour.
The tax pi*oi>osed in the Revenue Act,
and for which this resolution is a sub
stitute. is as follows:
On all railroads whose annual gross
earnings amount to $2,500 jeer mile or
less, a tax of one-eighth of one per cent
on th<‘ gross earnings.
On gross earnings of more than $2,-
500 per mile and less than $3,000, a tax
of one-fourth of one per cent.
On cross earnings of $3,000 and less
than $3,500, one half of one per cent.
On gross earnings of $3,5(H) and less
ban $4,000, three-fourths of one per
cent. '
On gross earnings of s4.ooft and less
than $4,500, one per cent.
On gross earnings of $4,500, and less
than $5,000, one and one-fourtli per
cent.
On gross earnings of $5,000 and less
than $5,500. one and one-half per cent.
On gross earnings of $5,500 or more,
one and three-fourths of one per cent.
This was the bone of contention around
which the battle of debate raged for
three hours, and ended only with the
introduction of Judge Connor’s compro
mise resolution.
The sensational speech of the day was
the opening gun. It was made by Mr.
Winston. It was listened to with dismay
by Democratic meihhers and with sur
prise by other folk.
He began hy complimenting the Fi
nance Committee and speaking in most
appreciative terms of the work it had
done in constructing the Revenue Act.
It was in the main, he thought, a wise
measure, carefully and ably formed. For
the most part, the man who had not
had opportunity to investigate these
questions could follow its recommenda
tions with safety, It was therefore with
extreme pain that Mr. Winston found
himself compelled to disagree with the
committee on its proposition to tax rail
roads on their gross earnings.
He opposed the tax because he con
sidered it a double tax. The property
was taxed and now it is proposed to tax
the income on it.
“The railroads art* about the only class
of property in North Carolina that pay
their full ad valorem tax. The merchant
doesn’t do it, for he’s turning over his
capital day after day. The farmer
doesn’t do it, for he’s eating up his pro
duct year in and year out.”
Touching the argument that the in
come of insurance companies are taxed
and therefore railroads ought to he tax
ed, he said he favored exempting the in
comes of insurance companies to tin*
amount of capital owned in the State.
“The courts will sustain such a tax
as this (tax on railroads) only on the fic
tion that it is a license tax. This for
the good reason that the income is de
rived—every single cent of it—from prop
erty already taxed. Are not railroads
already taxed enough? Then let their
ad valorem tax be increased by the
Railroad Commission.
"Did you know that the onlj inter
est in North Carolina that has liven sin
gled out and had a guardian appointed
for it—to get its property on the tax
books—is the railroad. And by this
Commission millions and millions of dol
lars have been added to the taxable prop
erty of the State.
“Why single out the railroads for this
burdensome tax?” he asked with great
emphasis.
lie believed that nobody would vote
for the tax with the idea that “they’ve
got it and we’ll take it.”
“It was just the fear of such legislation
as tiiis that made the great, railroads of
North Carolina pause and hesitate be
fore they decided with what party they
would east their lot in the late cam
paign.”
lie said there was a time during the
struggle when these great aggregations
of capital stood hesitating.
“The light finally broke, the hour
third edition*
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
struck and they east their lot with those
who were struggling for White Suprem
acy.”
He argued that the Democratic plat
form was committed against this hill
and against the principle involved in it.
He read from the Democratic Hand
book guaranteeing protection to invest
ments and all species of property. This
handbook, he said, was tiie chart and
.guide of every true Democrat.
“4 his is one question on which every
' Democratic member there is pledgt*d.
And I do stand here today and ask you
to abide by it.
I “You made it in the hour of need last
summer. You made it in the hour of
! darkness. I beg you now to keep it.
“You say this promise to corporations
ought not to have been made. How
many men would have stood upon the
stump and said this?
“This pledge, made no matter how or
where, is just such a pledge as every
honest man ought to make to an honest
I man.
“It is the pledge that brought you
here and brought me here,
j “To m.v mind this tax is not warrant
ed by law, and if it were warranted by
law. it is not the proper time to impose
it.
j “I appeal to you to let the pledge
stand. 1 appeal to you to let the Demo
cratic party stand in tin* future as in the
past, as tin* party of truth, honesty and
fulfilled promises.
"The 'arty managers, rightfully or
! wrongfully, have written their pledge
here (Handbook). If it is not kept? it will
bo the fault of you and you must bear
rhe responsibility.”
Mr. Willard, of New Hanover, follow
ed Mr. Winston. His speech was a care
fully prepared argument, well delivered
and listened to with interest by the
members of the House. It was per
haps the most comprehensive and
thoughtful argument yet delivered on
this very important question.
It showed that Mr. Willard had stud
ied the question closely and was thor
oughly conversant with it in all its de
tails. Among other things he said:
“It seems almost folly to continue this
struggle with such an array of talent
opposed to the measure, I have nos the
ability to indulge in such oratorical py
rotechnics and glittering generalities as
the gentleman from Buncombe favored
us with yesterday and the gentleman
from Bertie today, or to present to your
view my ideas on this important subject
with the same clearness and force as
are employed by tin* distinguished Speak
er of the House or tin* learned gentle
man from Wayne. I am so firmly con
vinced, however, that the position taken
by the joint Finance Committee is cor
rect that 1 cannot let the matter drop
without having another word to say.
“The gentleman from Buncombe yes
terday certainly played upon a harp of
a single string. He insisted and rested
his opposition to this tax upon the
ground that it was levied because WE
think the railroads arc able to bear it.
I submit that this view has never been
presented by a single person advocating
ihis tax except in answer to some state
ment made to the effect that it is an
unjust and unequal burden. I advocate
this tax upon the broad ground that it
is right and just to levy a special privi
lege tax upon ALL corporations which
enjoy unusual and monopolistic privi
leges* And I claim that there has been
no more Democratic doctrine enunciated
on the floor of this House than this
principle contains.
“The distinguished Speaker objects to
it because he says it is injecting a new
principle into our system of taxation and
the gentleman from Bertie says they
are singled out from all other corpora
tions. They certainly are misinform
ed upon this point, for if they will turn
to section 43 of the old revenue net
they will see that a special privilege tax
is levied upon the gross earnings of
telegraph, telephone and express com
panies and in addition to this each one
of these classes of corporations pay their
regular tax, the Western Union Tele
graph Company paying on $750,000
worth of pro|H*rty in the State.
“The gentlemen have eon tended with
great vehemence, and the idea was also
presented by the Speaker of the House,
that this tax is un-Democratic. If they
really believe tills then it is is their
duty to introduce an amendment strik
ing ont section 63, which taxes telegraph,
express, telephone and Pullman car
companies. Or if they do not they
should certainly explain to this house
why it is UN-Democratic to tax a rail
road company and it IS Democratic to
tax a telegraph or an express company.
If this is not explained satisfactorily it
is open for us to conclude that th<* in
terest of railroads is of much mere con
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