The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-12
w. w. Kitchen introduced
Three in the House,
LIFE SAVING STATIONS
A Uuited Effort to be Made TO Secure a PIacs
on the River and Harbor Commit
tee for Mr..
Small
Small.
Especial to News and Observer


Washington. d. c.. Nov. lin the
House today Representative W. w. Kitch-
in introduced no less than three bills,
whose purpose is to amend the Const!tu-
tion of the United States. They are:
l. To repeal the Fifteenth Amendment
.. To apportion direct taxes in accord
ance with valuation of property assessed
instead OF i'll accordance with population;
and
3. To provide a new article to the Con-
stitution prohibiting National or State
legislation establishing or supporting Sec
tartan institutions or prohibiting the free
exercise of religion.
The bill to repeal the Fifteenth Amend
ment has regularly been introduced by
AIR. kitchin for several sessions, but has
never got further than committee. Both
the other amendments were introduced
last session and are simply reintroduccd
appropriations to sectarian institutions
is at the request of a number of patriotic
orders, and the amendment regarding
direct taxes was suggested by the IN
come tax decision. That decision held
that the tax is unconstitutional because
it was direct tax and not apportioned
ton says all direct taxes shall be.
But Mr.. Kitchin's amendment, If
adopted, woud glo much further than
the income tax; it would apply to AZ
direct taxes. Under the Constitution as
it now stands, if a direct tax were levied.
North Carolina would have to pay about
the same proportion Of it as New Jer-
sey, for instance, for the two have about
the same population, though New Jerseys
property valuation is many times that of
North Carolina. Massachusetts, would
have to pay only about 40 per cent more
than North Carolina, proportioned by
population, whereas she has a hundred
times as much property as the Tar Heel
State. This is an evident injustice, and
though it now works no hardship for the
reason that no direct taxes are levied in
this country, it would do SO if at any time
1t should become necessary to raise rev.
enue in that way. Mr.. Kitchin's bill is
copy Of a resolution by John Sherman
in 1868 and SO.
Though Mr.. Kitchin understands that
none Of these amendments stand any
chance of adoption at this session, he BE-
lieves in the principles they embody and
wants to keep them alive. In addition
to these, he today introduced bill to
repeal the tax on State bank issues, and
several claim bills.
Congressman Thomas today called at
the Treasury Department and Inspected
plans and specifications for the two life
saving stations to be established in hls
district. One will be at Beaufort and
the other at Swansboro. Both, he says,
will be handsome buildings and contracts
will be let soon for the work.
Advertisement has already been made
for bids for the public building at Colds
boro The building will cost fifty thou
sand dollars.
1t now appears that united effort will
be made by the North Carolina delega-
ton TO secure a place on the River and
arbor committee for Mr.. Small. 1t is rec
ognized that such a place would be of
great value to the State with its innum-
erable rivers and long stretch of sea
coast and several members have declared
their willingness to lay aside personal
ambition for committee places if. by SO
doing, they can be further the chances
Of Mr.. Smalls appointment. Representa-
tive Page said tonight: 1--WE are not sent
here to serve our own ends, but to seek
the good of the State. Congressman
Webb and / have just told Mr.. Williams
the newly elected minority leader, that
we are willing to be left off committees
altogether if thereby we can aid In get
ting this important place for North Caro-
lima
Mr.. Williams holds in his hand the des-
tiny of every Democrat so far as commit
tee appointment and legislative pronli-
nece on the floor are concerned, and there
is naturally much speculation and some
anxiety as to his assignments So far he
seems to be writing his slate of commit
tees without fear or favor and with an
eye single to the welfare of his party
Continued on Fifth Page.)