New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-31
.TODDs ON THE INCOME TAX
SrpRENE COURT DIVIDED.
p1-,,oRs THAT THE LAW WILL BE De
C1ARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

rtr, DECISION MAY BE ANNOUNCED lO-NiOi>i'o"
", r,,,,, ,w IS NOT UrIIE1D. HOW WILL THE
nr--ir,rNcY IL THE REVENUES BE SUP
r,,r,7-AN EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS
WILL PROBABLY DE NECESSARY.
,,-,ehi1gton. March 3o-This was consultation
DAY" IN the Supreme Court Of the United states
ana II was said on good authority that a vote
was taken on the income tax cases. Ihere Is
possibility therefore. that the decision OF 'he
Court will be announced on Monday next but
there will probably be only general announce
rent Of the principles decided the members oi
the Court reserving the right to file their writ
ten opin;ons in support Of their views at some
later period. after thai careful delberation ana
consideration of the questions involved which the
vast Importance Of the cases and the far-reach-
ing character of the decision render necessary
II is known positively that the Supreme court
IS divided on the subject. but in what proportion
cannot of course be said, as in that case 'He ue
cis,n world be known. Some portoLs vi 'iiV
law il is thought may be declared NoIu ""''e
other portons may be upheld. as the lueS''o" -
comes before the Court that 1t is not heceSsaI!
for II 70 declare the law as a whole either con-
stitutional or void
The concurrence Of frequent leaks In con-
noction with Supreme Court decisions wlthn the
last three months gives an air OF credoiI'y 10
ruuors anoat as to the nature OF the decision IL
IS recalled that the decision of the Court IN the
Trust" case was known three weeks before II
was delivered; that in the San Francisco water
front cases the conclusions Of the Court were
made public week in advance of their delivery
and the decision in the Bate refrigerator case
WAS known on the Saturday before the decision
was announced on the following MONDAY!
In view of these facts. rumors. orlglnaunS III
the same quarter. that the Court wlii w ue'au. a.
the case adversely II the Government are en-
titled f. more credence than such rumors usually
receive. -.,
+,I,onaL consequences will ensue which no one
a. this time can clearly foresee. An extra ses-
sion of Congress. ii is thought. wouid oe as.
sured as it is admitted on all sides that Wilhoui
the revenue to be derived from me income tdN
tne revenues under the r"w Tariff law are NOT
sufficient to support the Government, ana when
tho hill was framed Il was not intended that
tbov should be The income tax rounded out the
complicated tariff structure. ana with IL elini-
mated a large deficiency woud he lneVitao'e;
The policy Of the Government ana tne eNPieSSod
will of Congress are against ISSUING OIHleu
States bonds to meet permanent running eH-
renses; 50 that il Is hardly probable that inns
method OF meeting the deficiency in the rae" OF
no expectation Of increased revenue from td' al
sources would be attempted
Il There is a general agreement on all SIDES no'
~ reoDen the tariff question by rearranSlhS
schedules and thus disturbing business again he.
fore the present rates are fairly tired; so Ihal
this method also is not likely to he adopted 10
meet the deficiency. An increase ~ the TAX on
bner from 81 to 81 a barrel and perhaps tax ~
cents on bank checks as advocated when the
rresent Tariff law was passed. would receive
more support than any other proposition.
Those additional taxes. II is admitted, could 10
collected without additional expense. Inc IN
crease ~ the beer tax was not put into tne pres
ent Tariff law for political reasons. opposition to
a. having developed In both parties from places
where the German vote is heavy.
This question Of furnishing revenue to take the
-lace Of the income tax. If IL is declared uncon-
stitutional will be the most important matter
10 come before the LINth Congress. 1t Is gem
sri uy recognized among Democratic politicians
who want 10 put the Republicans in hole
that an extra session Of Congress would be de-
sirable Friends Of certain Republican canal
dates for the Presidency also favor an extra seS-
sion while the chances Of Democratic asplrants
for the nomination with the income tax feature
eliminated ii is said would be improved
Other contingencies. more or less iinportant.
leod intense interest 10 the question: How VIII
the Supreme Court decide the income tax case!