The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-07-30

ter at a temperature OF Il degrees,
and slightly below sea level. In its
center two small islands are throwing
off a jet of steam.
Constitutional Amendment.
The senate by a unanimous vote
has adopted a joint resolution sub
hitting for ratification by the legis-
latures of the states a constitutional
amendment giving congress authority
to levy an income tax. This is the
first step toward the simplest method
of amending the federal constitu-
ton. The second step will be taken
when the joint resolution is adopted
by the house, which will be Within
a day or two. A two-thirds vote is
all that is required, but the proba-
bility Is that the house, like the sen
ate, will make it unanimous. 1t will
then become the duty of the presi-
dent, through the secretary of state,
to notify the governors of the various
states that congress has proposed a
constitutional amendment and it
will then be the duty of the COVER
nors to lay the matter before such
legislatures as are now in session.
In states where the legislatures are
now in session the amendment is to
be submitted for ratification at the
next ensuing session. Ratification by
the legislatures of three-fourths of
all the states is the final step in the
process of constitutional amendment.
There are now forty-six states, and
favorable action by thirty-four of
them will be required to validate the
amendment. If twelve states should
refuse their assent THE amendment
will be defeated.
Instead Of calling for ratification
by the legislatures, as proposed Ly
the senate, congress might call for
ratification by constitutional con-
ventions in the various states. Ar
ticle v of the constitution, giving
congress its option of two methods.
Senator Bailey proposed amendment
by conventions rather than by leg
islatures, but this plan was disap-
proved by the senate. The objec-
lions to this r obvious. It would
result in delay incident to the neC-
essary calling of conventions in all
of the states. It would call for the
expenditure of much money IN &C.
fraying the expenses OF such conyen-
lions. Last. but not least, 1t would
open up the question of constitution
al amendment i'm all possible direc-
tions, and might lead to the calling
of a constitutional convention which
must wrestle with dozens of half
baked reforms. In every case in
which the constitution has been
amended the amendment has been
submitted to the legislatures by con-
gress. The house will undoubtedly
concur in the judgment of the senate
that precedent shall be followed in.
this case.
What are the chances that the
income tax amendment proposed by
Taft will be approved by
the legislature of thirty-four states?
The proposition got a fine start in
securing the unanimous approval Of
the senate, and its case will be ma
terially strengthened II little or no
opposition develops I'm the house.
The prospect seems bright that the
amendment will increase in popular
ity as Its exact scope 10 understood.
Its adoption will not mean that con-
gress is instructed to frame and
adopt an income tax statute. It viii
mean only that congress shall have
the power to impose such a tax should
occasion require. II the pending
corporation income tax shall be adop-
ted and prove effective there Is lit
tie probability that q general In
come tax will be needed UNLESS war
should come. Practically the eject
of the amendment Is to restore the
power II was supposed congress pos
seesed before the supreme court de-
sclared the general Income tax un-
constitutional In 1896. It will be
supported by many persons who
would oppose the proposal to use
the income tar for an ordinary meana
sof revenue, raising.
With the veto power resting inSthe
hands OF twelve legislatures Il would
NOT do 70 overlook the possibility Of
the amendments defeat. Ultra con.
aervatiyes will oppose Il on the
ground that II would be better mot
TO run the rtskof nawise resort ia
the tncoms tn, Regardless 81 emuer-
gency. it copgreH were entrusted
With the power. Opposttions Is I'M.
lystD - pasticularly Vigorous In the
mAna5ActnEang districts az New ing.
lnd.Whers Z! nil rs argnsd tkst ths
laIaanqsndmsnt y covert thrset mon
pFOts6tIon. Dsleak ~ the amend
Observation-Disclosures ly III scoepted ! ]
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