The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-11-17
BILLS TO AMEND
THE CONSTITUTION
w. w. Kitchin introduced
Three in the House,
LIFE SAVING STATIONS
A United Effort TO b. MADE 10 S cure a Place
on the Rivers and harbHs Commit
tee fer Mr..
Small.

Washington, D. c., Nov. lin the
House today Representative W. ". kltch-
in introduced no less than three bills,
whose purpose is to amend the Constitu-
ton of the United States. They are:
|. To repeal the Fifteenth Amendment.
.. To apportion direct taxes IN accord
ance with valuation Of property assessed
instead of in 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 bE
Mr.. Kitchin for several sessions. but has
never got further than committee. Both
the other amendments We're introduced
last session and are simply reintroduced
now. The one IN regard to governmental
anpropriations 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 a direct tax and not apportloned
according to population, as the Constitu-
ton says all direct taxes shall be.
But Mr.. Kitchin's amendment, If
~-,l1 ,,rthnr thar
the income tax; it would apply to all
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 1t as New Jer-
soy, for instance, for the two have about
the same population, though New jersey :
property valuation is many lme that OF
North Carolina. Massachusetts would
have to pay only about 40 per cent more
than North Carolina, proportloned 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 Ii
this country, it would do so If at any time
it should become necessary to raise rev
enue in that way. Mr.. kitchln,s bill is
a copy of a resolution by 0 Sherman
in 1868 and SO.
Though Mr.. Kitchin understands thai
none OF these amendments stands any
chance of adoption at this session, he b.
leves in the principles they embody anc
wants TO keep them alive. In addition
to these, he today introduced a bill TO
rcpeal the tax on State bank issues, and
several claim bills.
Congressman Thomas today called al
the Treasury Department and inspected
plans and specifications for the two life
saving stations to be established in his
district. One Will be at Beaufort an1
the other at Swansboro. Both, he says
will be handsome buildings and contracts
will be let soon for the work.
Advertisement has already been mad'
for bids for the public building at Colds
boro. The building will cost fifty thou.
sand dollars.
1t now appears that a united effort vii
BE- made by the North Carolina delega
ton to secure a place on the River an
Harbor committee for Mr.. Small. 1t is rec
ognizcd that such a place would be o
great value to the State with its innun
erab.c rivers and long stretch of 50
coast and several members have declare
-. -. l.. ia o1-o-
ambition for committee places if, by S
doing, they can further the chance
of Mr.. Smalfs appointment. Represent
tive Page said tonight: w arc not sen
here TO serve our own ends, but to see
the good of the State. Consressma
Webb and l have just told Mr.. Williams
the ncwly elected minority leader, tina
we are willing to be left off committee
altogether if thereby we can aid in &c
ting this important place for North Care
lima
Mr.. Williams holds in his hand the dos
tiny OF every Democrat so far as comml
tee appointment and legislative prom
nenco on the floor are concerned, and ther
is naturally much speculation and son
anxiety as to his assignments. so far /
seems to be writing his slate of commi
tees without fear or favor and with d
eye single TO the welfare of his par
on the floor OF Congress and in the car
paisn to follow.
In the House today Mr.. BroNnlow.
Tennessee, introduced the Appalachix
Park Bill, which failed Of passage at ii
last session.
About a dozen Congressman left he
tonight to attend i meeting Of the Jane
toWr exposition directors at Norfolk {
morrow.
congressman r1"~n.a and Small.
North Carolina, We4u among those invite
but they did not 20.
The second annual meeting az the |
dependant Tobacco Manufacturers Ass
cation viii be held ut TIE Kew Nill, a
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