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SEPTEMBER 22, 1905
7
protection campaign in England the argument has'
sometimes been made that with a tariff system
the income tax, which is now a shilling in the
I ound, would tend to disappear. The government
report shows, however, that four protectionist
states Prussia, Austria, Italy and Spain all find
the income tax very useful. In Prussia the tax
on an income of $25,000 would be $1,250 a year,
which is the same that it would be in England
at the present time. The Prussian rate is, how
ever, fixed, while the English tax is raised or
lowered in accordance with the needs of the treas
ury In Italy and Austria the rate on certain
classes of incomes is as high as 20 per cent.
The different countries vary greatly with refer
ence to the limitations of the tax and the exemp
tions they allow. In England incomes under $800
are exempt,, in Prussia the minimum income taxed
is $225, in Austria $250, in Spain $225, in Hol
land $270 and in Saxony $100. The tax is grad
uated in proportion to the size of the income
in all countries, but in varying degree. In England,
for instance, an income of $3,500 pays the maxi
mum rate, in Prussia, the income must be $25,000
to pay the maximum rate, and in Baden and Aus
tria no income under $50,000 pays the maximum.
Taking the whole system of exemptions and grad
uation into account, the average result is that the
tax ranges 'from six-tenths of 1 per cent on a
laborer's income to about 5 per cent on the in
come of the richest classes. In the United States
the individual states are free to tax incomes so
far as law goes, but in practice they must be very
chary of what they do because of the ease with
which the taxpayer can move from one state to
another."
-y
IT HAS BEEN generally supposed that the term
"dark horse" is of American origin, but the
St. Louis Post-Dispatch says: "Thackeray used
it in liis 'Adventures of Philip' before it became
current in this country, and in exactly the same
sense as we employ it. 'Well, bless my soul!'
Philip is made to say, refering to some mysterious
candidate for the house of commons, 'he can't
mean me. Who is the dark horse he has in his
stable?' "
WILLIAM K. REDMOND, M. P., one of the
secretaries of the Irish party, and brother
of John Redmond, the Irish leader of the House
of Commons, is .in America. Speaking to a rep
resentative of the Chicago Record-Herald Mr.
Redmond predicted the dissolution of parliament
during the next few months, the overthrow of
the Balfour ministry and the installation of a lib
eral administration when the parties "go to the
country."
THE PRESENT position of political affairs in
England is very unusual, and in the lang
uage of Mr. Redmond, "almost unique." Mr.
Redmond says: "The government of Mr. Balfour
stands practically condemned in parliament as
well as in the country, and yet it adopts the
unusual course of clinging to office, although it
is perfectly clear that the general sense of the
people demands an appeal to the electors. A short
time ago the government actually was beaten on
a matter of considerable importance in the house
of commons. The vote was taken on the initia
tive of the Irish party. It was a clear defeat, and
everybody expected the government would take
the usual course of resigning. Instead of this,
however, it announced the intention of holding
on to office. This attitude, strictly speaking, is
unconstitutional, and has aroused a very bitter
feeling among the electors. Again, the govern
ment proposed h, most important and far-reaching
change in the representation of the people a
change which involved the reduction of the Irish
members in the British parliament by no less
than twenty-two. This important matter ivas
ruled out of order on the suggestion of the Irish
party, and again the government suffered a se-.
vere defeat and was obliged to abandon the
scheme. In addition to these defeats and humilia
tions in parliament the Balfour government has
been defeated in almost every by-election (elec
tions to fill vacancies) which has taken place dur
ing the last few years. Even great conservative
strongholds like Brighton and portions of the
city of London have been captured by the liberal
opponents of the present government. Yet in
the face of all these facts, Mr. Balfour clings to
power, and in doing so presents a must humiliat
ing spectacle."
IN THE OPINION of this eminent Irishman,
there can be no doubt that when the election
comes the present ministers, responsible for the
failures and vast expenditures involved in the
Boer war will be defeated. Mr. Redmond says:
"Mr. Balfour's excuse for not resigninglias been
The Commoner.
that only his government could conduct negotla
tions with Japan for a renewal of the treaty be
tween that country and England. This, of course,
s a more pretext and an attempt to have the
blunders of the Boer war forgotten in the glamour
of what is regarded as the groat achievement
of nn alliance with victorious Japan. The British
people, however, have not forgotten how their
fingers were burned in South Africa, and a great
many of them also are doubtful as to the policy
of strengthening and encouraging an Asiatic pow
er which may at any. time swoop down on the
commonwealth of Australia." Regarding his ref
erence to the blunders of the Boer war, Mr. Red
mond said that the mismanagement of affairs
that caused the British forces to suffer many do
feats in the early campaigns and the piling up
of a tax of 250,000,000 was not the only reason
for lingering resentment among the people, but
that South Africa since the war has been a dis
appointment. It was thought, ho said, that im
migration to South Africa would be stimulated.
Such, however, has not been the case. The' con
dition of labor in South Africa, he said, is worse
off than it ever was, wages being lower and the
importation of tens of thousands of ChineHo
coolies driving the white laborers away. The
only ones who have benefited from the war, Mr.
Redmond said, are the mine owners, many of
whom are foreigners. In other respects, he do
clared, South Africa was better off under Presi
dent Kruger.
CHAMBERLAIN'S SCHEME of protection, ac
cording to Mr. Redmond, has also helped
to bring the present government into deep dis
credit, because it is understood that that scheme
involves the taxation of the food stuffs of the
people. Mr. Redmond says: "The septennial act
prevails in England, and this government is five
years in existence. It might by law live for two
years more, but when parliament Is dissolved
and an olection comes, as it may this fall, in all
probability it will see a liberal administration in
stalled in office. This, of course, will be much
to the advantage of the Irish nationalist party,
for the official liberal leaders are pledged to deal
with the questions of Irish self-government on the
lines of the late Mr. Gladstone. It is true Lord
Rosebery and some other liberals have forsaken
home- rule, but they are without much influence
in their party. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman,
the liberal leader in the commons, and Lord
Spencer, the liberal leader in the lords, are both
pledged to deal with home rule, and one of these,
in all probability, will be the next prime minister.
The Irish party has contributed greatly to the
overthrow of the present government. It is its
duty to oppose all governments that will not
deal with the supreme question for Ireland na
tional self-government. We have won Important
reforms for Ireland from both liberals and con
servatives, but we are attached to neither of these
parties and are acting upon the Independent lines
laid down by Charles Stuart Parnell. It will be
seen what a great force the Independent Irish
party is in parliament when I say that our number
is eighty, and that we are ready, on critical occa
sions, to throw the full weight of our vote upon
whichever side seems most to the advantage of
Ireland."
EVIDENTLY THE British government dislikes
the power of the Irish vote in parliament,
and according to Mr. Redmond this fact is shown
by the anxiety to reduce the Irish numbers. He
says, however, that they are not anxious to re
main in the British parliament provided they are
allowed to have a parliament and a government
of their own, but until that day comes they will
protest against any interference with their num
bers. On this point Mr. Redmond says: "The
pretext on which the attempt is made to reduce
our numbers is that the population of Ireland has
fallen to a low ebb, but the population basis never
was introduced until our population had fallen
low. At the time of the union, on the population
basis, we would have been entitled to consider
ably more than 200 members, but we got 103 only.
The English always have answered our demand
for home rule by declaring that the union was
sacred and could not be touched. When it suits
them, however, they are ready to break the union.
The Irish would be delighted to see the union
broken altogether and an Irish parliament estab
lished, but they will not consent to have the union
amended- under present circumstances, in refer
ence to that part which deals with the represent
ation of Ireland. The whole attempt to interfere
with our number is a great compliment to the
nower of the Irish independent party and the
Irish political combination organized by Mr. Par
nell twenty-five years ago There Is no doubt
we represent the overwhelming majority of the
Irish people. I know that In this country somo
pooplo think our methods slow, but, after all, at
homo in Ireland the people arc pretty shrewd,
and they Hiipport and voto for parliamentary rojH
ronontatlon because, unpropnrod ax they nro in
other directions, thoy recognize that Independent
action on Ireland's part in tho Hrltlsh parliament
Is a inont effective weapon."
AfR. REDMOND was asked to point out some
11 of tho Important reforms won by the Irish
party. "Well, take the lnnd question nlono," ho
ropl od. "Droadly, today wo aro able to say tho
conditions pertaining to the terrible Hlory of agra
Han struggles in Ireland are changod. Tho land
loaguo established by Mr. Davitt and so ably
genoraled by Mr. Parnoll domundod that tho Irish
pooplo should bo aided by the state to hocome tho
owners of tho land thoy tilled, and that landlord
ism should bo abolished. This demand wns fur
iously oppoHOd. Tho constitution was suspended
In Ireland. Freo speech wns prohibited, tho press
Interfered with and leaders Imprisoned. Tho end
of it-all, however, has boon that tho demand of
tho land league has boon recognized to bo Junt
and tho land act passed In 1903 rccognlzoa the
principle that tho Irish farmers should own tho
soil thoy till. To that end tho British treasury
Is advancing tho money necessary to enable the
tenants to buy their homes, tho monoy to bo re
paid in Installments Infinitely easier than the per
petual rents formerly paid. This means, of course,
practically a revolution. There still may bo somo
trouble In certain districts, and there Is no doubt
much still to be accomplished; but, broadly speak
ing, tho legislation wrung from tho British par
liament by the Irish party has destroyed land
lordism and is fast making tho Irish pooplo the
owners of tho land thoy occupy. Tho groat
troublo ahead Is that in tholr eagerness to obtain
possession of tho land tho people may bo led into
paying tho landlords too high a price. This
might involve them in obligations which in bad
times they might bo unablo to fulfill. The Irish
leaders are warning tho people not to undertake
too heavy obligations and not to make bad bar
gains." THE IRISH party also, according to. Mr. Red
mond, has achieved Important reforms in
improving the condition of tho laboring class and
in tho obtaining of immediate promise of local
self-government. Mr. Redmond concludes: "Na
tional self-government remains to bo nchlovod,
and I believe this most crowning and necessary
reform will follow In duo courao, provided the
Irish race at homo and abroad steadfastly adheres
to tho independent lines laid down by our never-to-be-forgotten
leader, Charles Stuart Parnell.
The national sentiment of Ireland at tho com
mencement of the twentieth century is stronger
than ever. There Is a great revival of national
sentiment in every direction. Besides the politi
cal organization of the United Irish League there
is tho great movement of tho Gallic League for
the social regeneration of Ireland. Under the In
spiration of tho latter movement the Irish lang
uage is reviving, Irish Industries are being en
couraged and a splendid spirit of self-respect and
pride of race and country Is growing up amongst
the Irish people. I don't remember any time when
tho prospects of Ireland wore brighter or when
her people were more united, and there Is today,
happily, a broader and better feeling of tolera
tion amongst men of different religions than ever
existed before. Many of the Irish leaders today,
as of yoro, are Protestants, and the old, bitter
feeling of sectarianism between Catholic and Prot
estant In Ireland, which was fostered by England
for her own ends, is giving place to a. noble feel
ing." REV. JACOB F. KURTZ, a preacher of York,
Pa., contemplates, according to the Balti
more Sun, a visit to Washington where he hopes
to be able to deliver a "one minute sermon" to
President Roosevelt. Mr. Kurtz says he will say
nothing to the President except the words of his
sermon, and will then retire. The sermon is
preached daily about twenty-five times to anyone
who will listen. It Is as follows: "These words
shall be in thine heart and thou shalt talk them
when thou risest up in the morning and when
thou sittest in thine house, when thou walkest by
the way and when thou llest down: 'Love the
Lord, thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy
soul and thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.
All things that you would that others would do
to you, do you even so to them.' Three musts: 1
You must die. 2 You must go to the judgment
3 You must meet God's word as your judge.
Amen." Kurtz says he will soon visit Philadel
phia and then go to Wall street to preach his one
minute sermon.
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