The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1906-09-07
". ]. BRyAN'S MADISON
SQUARE GARDEN SPEECH

period there is uncertainty, long drawn
out. which to lhe business community is
often more damaging than Il change OF
policy promptly carried into effect.
WOUld not the situation be improved by
a Constitutional amendment converting
the first session OF congress within Il
few months after the election, and com
pelling the second session to adjourn
several days before the following eec
ton. Such q change would not only
serve Legitimate business interests, and
give the public the benefit Of more relief
through remedial legislation, but it 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 of their defeat at
the polls.
The Election of Senator's
! return more convinced than before
Of the Importance of change in the
atorS. There is noticeable everywhere
distinct movement toward democracy
IN its broadcast sense. In all the cOun-
tries which | have visited there is Il de-
mand that the government be brought
nearer to the people. In China con-
Stilution Is under consideration. In ia
pan the 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
inant sentiment. In India there is agi.
tatlon in favor of Il native congress In
Russia. the ear has been compelled to
recognize the popular voice In the eS-
Enlistment of dUuma, and throughout
Europe the movement manifeSts itself in
various forms. In The United States this
trend toward democracy has taken the
form of growing demand for the cleo
ton of United States senators by a di-
rect Vut" Of the people. 1t must be diff
lCult to UVereStlmaJc the strategic add
vantage OF this reform, for since every
bill must receive the sanction of the
senate as we'll as the house of repre-
SentatlVeS before ii can become a law.
no important legislation of Il national
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 tn" DulWark Of the predatory
wealth. and that it even now contains
80 many members who owe their cleo
ton to faVor-Seeking corporations and
are SO subsequent to their masters as to
prevent needed legislation. The popular
branch of congress has four times de-
ctarcd in favor Of this reform. and two
thirds OF the states have demanded it.
and vct the senate arroSanty and impu-
IDENTIFY blocks the way.
The Income Tax.
The income tax, which some in our
country have denounced as a socialistic
attack upon wealth, has, am pleased to
report, the endorsement of the most
conservative countries in the old world
1t is Il permanent part of the fiscal Sys-
TEN of most Of the countries of Europe.
and in many pl1ceS it is a graded tax,
the rate being highest upon the largest
incomes. England has long depended
upon the income tax for considerable
part Of her revenues, and her English
commission is now investigating the
proposition to change from a uniform to
Il graded tax | have been absent too
long tn speak with any authority on the
public sentiment in this country at this
time. but | am 50 convinced Of the JUS
ticc Of the income tax that | feel sure
that the people will sooner or later de-
mand an amendment to the constitution
which will specifically authorize an in
come tax. and thus make it possible for
the burdens Of the federal government to
be apportiOned among the people in
proportion to their ability to bear them
1t is little short of disgrace TO our
country that while it is able to com
mand the lives Of its citizens in time of
war. ii can not. even in the most eX-
IRENE emergency, compel wealth. To bear
its share of the expenses of the govern
ment which protects it.