Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-04-25
ALTcELD oisPLEAsEp.

He Does Not Like the Recent Decision Of
the supreme Court I'm tho Income-Tax
Case. and Says It Il Radically Defective
In Number of Partfculars-The Court
20 the Rescue Of the OIL Kings and Rich
MuEwumps.
SPRINGFIELD, I'LL. April 1s.-Gor. Att
geld does not approve of the decision
OF the United States supreme court in
regard to the income tax bill. He says
that the decision was based on the in
terests Of the so-called gold bugs and
Wall. street millionaires. The gov
ernor was asked what he thought of
the decision He replied that the peo-
pie understood the decision thorough
ly, and said that he had already talked
too much and did not believe the peo-
pie cared to hear any more from him.
When pressed for an answer, however,
the governor consented to reduce his
views to writing and gave out the fol-
lowing for publication:
1.-THE court has held the law to be void in so
TAR as 1t affects the large real estate owners,
such as the Astors, Of New York, and has also
held 1t to be void in far as 1t affects the rich
bondholders OF the east. But the remainder Is
sustained, the court holding that the business
and producing classes must pay an income
tax It Is all question OF constitutional con-
struction. and as this depends on opinion or
prejudice, one is reminded OF the distinguished
Englishman who in speaking of the court Of
chancery, said that the proceedings were
all a matter Of conscience. and as the con-
sciences OF the different chance1lors varied as
much as the size Of their feet, so did their de-
cfsionS on any question Now, the conStitu-
ton of the United States has been construed
in more different ways than all the Judges to-
gether had feet, but always in harmony with
what was the controlling influence of power OF
the times. Before the war the slave power and
the south dominated the court. Since the war
concentrated wealth and the east has domi-
mated the court, and the time will come when
justice and the great Mississippi valley will
dominate the court
This particular decision recognizes the di-
Tlnity OF wealth by exempting it from taxation,
and 1t breathes curse against enterprise by
making it bear all the burdens of government.
But 1t Is In harmony with tnss pessnSe Of
Scripture which says that ..for he that hath to
HIM shall be given; and he that hath not, from
MIN shall be taken even that which he hath"
AND 1t Is In perfect accord with the republican
and mugwump theory Of government now being
applied In this country, and as this decision is
IN FAVOR OF New England and few eastern
cities, ana against the rest of America it is
also in harmony with that which will soon be
recognized as the sixteenth amendment to the
constitution. which declares that gilded YES
tibule Is more important than the remainder
paramount to the interests OF the rest OF tho
country. 1t also shows that at least two of tho
coordinate branches of our government re-
ceive their inspiration 1t the same altar.
You remember that the president opposed
the income tax and would not sign the tariff
bill, and Mr.. Wilson. who represented him in
congress, opposed the income tax. Congress,
however. knowing that almost every civilized
country had an income tax, and believing it to
be the just form of taxation, and having no
doubs about its constitutionslity, passed the
measure. both republicans and democrats sup
porting it, For time there was bitterness in
she camp of Mammon, but the supreme court
his come to the rescue and now the Standard
Clkings, the Wall street people, as well as the
rich mugwumps, are again happy. To be sure.
the great business and producing glasses
not believed: their burden is mace; little
heavier, and the whip has made a new welt on
their backs but what Of it, In fact, what are
they there for, If not 90 bear the burdens and
to be ksSheds
"Eut this decision is radically defective In a
numbe rof peEticulars. 81 It should contain q
panegy7ic on the majesty OF the law and the
exalted character OF eternal Justice. (2f Is
should bRTe; contained a singing rebuke 70, the
growing disconaent Of the times (3) 1t should
contain adeclaza1ion in fav5roE gold. for it, the
interest Cu.bonss is di vine and 50 sacred that
not a centof it can be used, 10 help bear the
burdens OF government. theE; the court should
see to it that-this sacred household god of the
east shall never suffer proclamation by having
he rim OF its'eyeS made silveEy.. But it world.
3e unreasonable, expect the ssuxs to think Of
everything. Besidas+ it viii have ether oppcr1-
tsatties frourimes % time to scaidixy our insEs-
tasions and toteach patriotism rscoming drptra
with terrific forceson some wretch whose vus-
gasaty and uunatriot5E eharecterxiu be prove 4,
by the fact that he Is poor.
). '-Yhe decision hopsHer, suggests more i'm
pOr7ant question TO the American ueople. YoUi
know that tiiecjudGs% Of the sr.sneDe court i
whea In sessicNwear large black gowns, such
rs vs. ere worn in. the Middle Agess. In other
cou1 sr1eS and lhosher times this mas done to
men seem great. In the onnntry it
IS done TO impress the lepulace with the infsl-
ibilisy OF the co4t.-~nsux. IS these yrowns are
not v6xy thick, sad as, sene peop1e might be
able To see thrC1gh, thana, and seme Of our
business people may be unpatriotic enough to
question the jus steee Of having to Fly . large
ncoml.tax whils thec rddh pay nothizE and as
here Is danger shat soz.e of those men may
loubt tAc infallisaity OF the court, w,uld it not
De we'll 80 have each judea wear two GnsSns for
awhile. until the storm. blows over:''