The Monticellonian., 1906-09-06
W. J. BRYAN'S MADISON
 SQUARE GARDEN SPEECH

period there is uncertainty, long drawn out which to the business community is often more damasing than change of policy promptly carried into effect. Would not the situation be improved by a constitutional amendment converting the hrst session of congress within a few months after the election, and com peiflnR the second session to adjourn several days before the following cleo ton. Such 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 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 Senators.
 return more convinced than before Of the importance Of a change in the method of electing United States sem ators. There is noticeable everywhere a distinct movement toward democracy in it's broadest sense. In all the coun- tries which l have visited there is de- nearer to the people. In China con- stftution is under consideration. In Ja- pan the people are -enianding that the ministry. instead of being chosen by the empeTor 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. tation in favor of native congress. In Russia. the czar has been compelled to recognize the popular voice in the es- tablishment of a douma, and throughout Europe the movement manifests itself in 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 senators by a di- rect vote of the people. 1t must be diff hcult to overestimate the strategic ad- vantage of this reform, for since every bill must receive the sanction of the senate as well as the house of repre- sentatives before it can become a law no important legislation of national character Is possible until the senate is brought into harmony with the people, l am within the limits of the truth when I say that the senate has been for some years the bulwark of the predatory wealth. and that 1t even now contains so many members who owe their elee- tion to favor seeking corporations, and are so subservient 10 their masters as to prevent needed legislation. The popular branch CT congress has four times de- elared in favor Of this reform. and two thirds of the states have demanded it, and vet the senate arrogantly and impu- dently blocks the way.
 The Income Tax.
 The Income tax. which some in our country have denounced as a socialistic attack upon wealth. has. l am pleased to report. the endorsement of the most conservative countries in the old world. 1t is permanent part of the fiscal sys- tenn of most Of the countries of Europe, and in many places it is a graded tax. the rate being highest upon the largest incomes. England has long depended upon the income tax for a considerab ble part of her revenues and her English commission is now Investigating the proposition to change from uniform to a graded tax l have been absent too long to speak with any authority on the public sentiment in this country at this time. but l am So convinced of the jus tice of the income tax that l feel sure that the people will sooner or later de- manq an amendment to the constitution which will specifically authorize an in- come tax. and thus make it possible for the burdens 0f the federal government to be apportioned among the people in It Is little short of a disgrace 10 our country that while 1t is able to com mand the lives of it's citizens in time of war. it not. even in the most ex- treme emergency, compel wealth to bear it's share of the expenses of the govern meat which protects it.