The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1906-09-08
w. ]. BRYAN'S MADISON
SQUARE GARDEN SPEECH

period there is uncertainty, long-drawr
out. which to the business community i.
often more damaging than a change o.
policy, promptly carried into effect
would not the situation be improved by
a. constitutional amendment converting
the first session of congress- within 3
few months after the election. and com.
pelling the second session to adjourn
several days before the following cleo
ton. Such a change would not only
serve lesltlmate 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
the polls.
The Election of Senators.
lsreturn more convinced thar before
or the Importance of a change in the
method of electing United States SEN
ators. There is noticeable everywhere
IN It's broadest sense. In all the coun-
tries which l have visited there is a de-
mand that the government be brought
nearer to the people. In China a con-
stitution is under consideration. In ia
pan the people are demanding 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
lnant sentiment. In India there is agi.
tatlon In favor of a native congress-. In
ANuSoAd. luC. CZdI Has DeeH compelled 10
the popular voice in the es-
adjustment 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 or United States senators by a di-
rect vote of the people. 1t must be diff
hcult to oyerestimate the strategic adj
vantage of this reform, for since every
Dill must receive the sanction of the
senate as well as the house of repre-
IlNaS hnfnrl IF n ~ hnnnnnn ~ Low,
no important legislation of a national
character is possible until the senate is
brought into harmony with the people.
| am within the limits of the truth when
l say that the senate has been for some
years the bulwark of the predatory
wealth. and that it even now contains
so many members who owe their cleo
ton to favor-seeking corporations, and
are so subservient to their masters as to
prevent needed legislation. The popular
branch of congress has four times de-
clared in favor of this reform, and two
thirds of the states have demanded it,
and yet the senate a~rrogantly and impu-
IDENTIFY blocks the way.
The Income Tax.
The income tax. which some In our
ountr have denounced as a socialistic
attack upon wealth. has, l am pleased to
conservative countries in the old world.
1t is a permanent part of the fiscal sys-
tenn of most of the countries of Europe,
in many PAGES it is a graded tax.
the rate being highest upon the largest
England has long depended
upon the income tax for a considerable
OF her revenues, and her English
commission is now Investigating the
proposition to change from a uniform to
a graded tax. l have been absent too
long to speak with any authority on the
public sentiment in this country at his
time, but | am so convinced of the JUS
tice of the income tax that 1 feel sure
that the people will sooner or later de-
mand an amendment to the constitution
which will specifically authorize an in
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 a disgrace to our
country that while it is able to com |
mand the lives of its citizens in time of
war. it can not, even in the most ex- |
-reme emergency, compel wealth. to bear
It's share. of the expenses of the govern
nent which protects it.