The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1906-09-07
W. ]. BRYAN'S MADISON
SQUARE GARDEN SPEECH

period there Is uncertainty. long drawn
out. which 10 The business community is
oiteh more damaging than a change Of
Peic( promptly carried into eject
Would not The situation be improved by
constitutional amendment converting
me hrst session Of congress within a
polling the second session 10 adjourn
several DAYS before the following cleo
ION such change would not only
serve legitimate business interests and
five the public the bentft 81 more relief
through remedial legislation. but IL would
protect the people from the Jobs that are
usually reserved for the short sessiOn
which Is now held after the election. and
when many Of the members feel the less
responsibility because 81 their defeat at
the polls
The Election OF Senators.
return more convinced than before
~ the Importance OF n change in the
method .r 81 electins United states sen
stors There Is noticeable everywhere
distinct movement toward democracy
IN ITS brosdest sense. In all the coun-
tries which have visited there is "A de-
mand that the government be brought
nearer 10 the people In China a cOn-
stitution Is under consideration In Ja-
pan mr people are ~emanding that the
ministry. Instead OF being chosen BY the
emperor from among his particular
friends shall be selected from parlia-
ment. and be in harmony with the dom
lnsnt sentiment. In India there is agl.
tation In favor OF native congress In
Russia. the czar has been compelled 10
recognize the popular voice in the es-
taDlishmcnt OF a dOuma. and throuE hOut
Europe the movement manifests itself ia
various forms. In the United States this
trend toward democracy has taken the
form Of a growing demand for the cleo
ton Of United States senator's by a d.
rect vote Of the people IL must be diff
ncult to oNerestimate the strategic ai-
vantage OF this reform. for since every
bill must receive the sanction OF the
senate as well as the house OF repre-
sentatives before Il can become a law.
HHaaHa aN-
character is possible until the senate Is
brought into harmony with the people
] am within the limits OF the truth when
| say that the senate has been for some
years the bulwark OF the predatory
wealth. and that IL even now contains
so many members who owe their cleo
tion 10 favor seeking corporations and
are so subservient TO their masters az 10
prevent needed legislation. The popular
branch OF congress has four times de-
clared IN favor u this reform. and two
thirds Of the states have demanded H.
and vet the senate arrogantly and inpu-
IDENTITY blocks the way
The Income Tax.
The income tax. which some In our
country have denounced as a sociallstic
attack upon wealth. has. | am pleased TO
report the endorsement OF the rnosf
conservative countries in the old world
II Is q permanent part OF the fiscal sys-
tenn OF most OF the countries Of Europe
the rate being highest upon the lsrges,
incomes. England has long depended
upon the income tax for q considerable
part OF her revenues. and her English
commission is now Investigating the
proposition 10 change from a uniform TO
a graded tax l have been absent too
long 10 speak with any authority on the
public sentiment in this country at this
time. but i am so convinced Of the jus
tice OF the income tax that / feel sure
that the people viii sooner or later de-
ma nd an amendment 20 the constitution
which will specifically authorize an in
come tax. and thus make II possible for
the burdens OF the federal government 70
he appOTtioneh among the people IN
proportion TO their ability 10 bear them.
II is little short 81 disgrace to our
country that while IL Is able % com
mand the lives Of its citizens In time 81
war. IL can not. even in the most ex-
IRENE emergency. compel wealth. 10 bear
It's share u the expenses OF the govern
ment which protects it.