Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-11
THURSDAY. .........APRIL II. 1895.
What the Decision May Lead To

What the Decision May Lead To.
VIC said yesterday that the Federal
Constitution might be so amended as 10
provide for a tax Of any scrt. Those
persons. therefore. who suppose that they
viii get rid OF the incomc-taN because
If the decision rendered last Monday
may perhaps deceive thcms Ives. That
decision will not end discussion ON the
subject on the contrary. the probability
81 that the Populists will declare IN their
next national platform In favor Of
graduated income-tax. 10 be secured 10y
an amendment 10 the Constitution Of the
United States providing for The same.
in 1892 they put the following plank into
their national platform:
1--WE demand a graduated incomc-taX.
And that they knew how 20 secure the
Shjcct had in view in that plank is proved
Wv the fact that they also inserted the
following plank in their platform Of 1872;
s. That We favor a constitutional pro-
vision limiting the office of President ana
Vice President TO one term. ana pioNl1-
Ink FOR the election Of senators Of IN"
United States by direct vote Of The
people"
II lItSf UiJ'NAH Ait az
amendment TO the Constitution, of course
n graduated income-tax. or any oth'r
Iind Of tax. may be provided FOR IN th'
Iame manner.
Nobody knows how strong is the ic'I-
lng in many parts OF the country ia favor
Of a graduated income-taN except th's'
persons who have taken the trouble u
inform themselves in the premises Ani
so il may come to pass that the decision
Of Monday last may have results which
nobody has calculated upon. new issue
may be raised before tho people. Tho
delegation from Virginia in the last Con
srcss voted solidly for tn income-taN.
Again: The decision Of Monday last
may result. as some ~ The Weaitni'st
and bcst-posted businessmen in Hch-
,nond have expressed their frars that II
would result-namely, IN uns't thing hus'-
ness again. one 81 th IN has said that
We were on the eve of prosperity. ana he
disliked to see introduced any influence
that would rotard the development Of that
urocress and disturb existing conditions.
Again: 50 variant are the opinions OF
the best lawyers as to what is likely To
result from the Qetl~lNN Nil4'l '.liEN'l ~
tlon that it looks now as il 1t would be-
necessary to have e. questions passed
upon In that decision p viewed by fun
Supreme Bench. Confusion worse con-
founded" Is likely t. prevail throughout
the land so long as this condition Of doubt
shall continue 10 disturb the minds Of the
people wide diversity Of opinion Is
ea!d 10 exist among the lawyers In Wash
sncton as 70 whether IL decision Of
divided Supreme Court is binding upon
tho courts below. y lawyer who has
large practice in the Supreme Court Is
quoted as follows:
II look upon the decision - the court
Yesterday as only the beginning Of liti-
cation respecting the law. and believe
there Will De- much business for the law
yers."
This Is poor prospect for the business
interests Of the country. But it would
not be wise for businessmen to shut their
eyes to facts because they are disagree
able. 1t is unfortunate that the whole
law was not gotten rid OF. ana Congress
left 10 pass a new one