Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-04-24
SCORES THE COURT.
Gov. Altgsld Criticises Its Decision On the
Income Tax.

the decision OF Inc united states SUI
preme court in regard to the income
tax bill. To q correspondent of the
st. Louis Republic he said:
1.-The court has held the law to be
void in SO far as it affects the large
real estate owners, such as the As
| tors of New York, and has also held
it to be void in so far as it affects the
rich bondholders of the east. But
the remainder is sustained, the court
holding that the business and pro-
ducing classes must pay an income
tax.
1T is all question of unconstitu-
tional construction, and, as this de-
ponds on opinion or prejudice, one is
reminded of the distinguished En-
glishman who. in speaking of the
court Of chancery, said that the pro-
cecdings were all a matter of con-
science and, as the consciences of
the different chapcellors varied as
much as did the size of their feet, so
did their decisions on any question.
Now, the constitution of the United
States has been construed in more
different ways than all of the Judges
together had feet. but always in har-
mOny with what was the controlling
influence or power of the times.
before the war the slave power
and the south dominated the court.
Since the war concentrated wealth
and the east have dominated the
court, and the time will come when
justice and the great Mississippi val
ley will dominate the court.
This particular decision recog-
nizes the divinity of wealth by ex-
empting it from taxation, and it
breathes a curse against enterprise
by making it bear all the burdens Of
| government. But it is in harmony
with that passage of scripture which
says that Unto him that has shall
be given and from him who hath not
shall be taken the little that he hath,
and it is in perfect accord with the
republican and mugwump theory of
government now being applied in
this country.
las this decision is in favor of
New England and a few eastern
cities and against the rest Of Ameri-
ca. it is also in harmony with what
will soon be recognized as the 10th
amendment to the constitution,
which declares that q gilded vesti-
bule is more important than the re-
mainder of the house; that the inter.
ests of the east are paramount to the
interests of the rest of the country.
1t also shows that at least two of the
coordinate branches of our govern
ment receive the inspiration at the
same altar.
You remember that the president
opposed the income tax and would
not sign the tariff bill, and Mr.. Will
son, who represented him in con-
gress. opposed the income tax. Con-
gress, however, knowing that al
most every civilized country had an
income tax, and believing it to be the
most Just form of taxation and hav-
ing no doubt about its constitution
atty, passed the measure, both re-
publicans and democrats support
ing it.
"For a time there was bitterness
in the house of Mammon, but the su-
preme court has come to the rescue,
and now the Standard Oil kings, the
Wall street people, as well as the
rich mugwumps, are again happy.
To be sure, the great business and
producing classes are not relieved.
Their burden is made little
heavier and the whip has made a
new welt on their backs, but what
of it? In fact, what are they for il
not to bear burdens and to be
dashed?
..But this decision is radically de.
fective in a number of particulars.
..First-It should contain pane.
gyric on the majesty of the law and
: the exalted character of eternal Jus
tice.
..Second-It should have contained
a singing rebuke to the growing
discomfort OF the times.
.Third-It should contain a dec
: laration in favor of gold, for il the
interest on bonds is divine and so
sacred that not q cent of it can bt
used to help bear the burdens o.
government, then the court should
see to it that this sacred household
god of the east shall never suffer pro
fanation by having the rim Of its eye
made silvery.
But it would be unreasonable tG
expect the court to think Of every
: thing. Besides, it will have othe
: opportunities from time to time t.
/. solidify our institutions and to teach
patriotism by coming down with ter
q rite force on some wretch whose vul
c garity and unpatriotic character viii
: be proven by the fact that he is poor
This decision, however, suggest
!; n more important question to tn
American people. You know tb
judges of the supreme court. whel
: in session. wear large black gowns
: such as were worn in the Middl
Ages. In other countries and in
! other times this was done to make
little men seem great. 10 this coun
q Try it is done to impress the popula