New-York tribune., 1909-07-13
VOTES ON INCOME TAX
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
House 4pproues Constitutional
amendment. 917 to II.
IfOuSt
rFrom The Tribune Bureau.

Washington July 12.-The joint resolution sub
mitting the state legislatures an amendment 10
the Constitution authorizing Congress to impose an
income tax was adopted by the House this after
noon by vote OF 81 70 IL Every vote cast
against II was that of a Republican. The opposi-
ton consisted of Representatives DaizeH' NC"
Creary. Wheeler and Barchfeld, OF Pennsylvania: {:
Henry and Hill, of Connecticut; Gardner, Weeks
and Mccall of Massachusetts: Oicott and South
wick of New York; Calderhead of Kansas; Allen.
Of Maine. and Fordnev. of Michigan. Speaker Can
voted aye in his loudest voice Having
previously been adopted by the Senate. the resou-
ton now goes to the President for signature.
The House consumed only four hours in debate
before the resolution passed, but as the
speeches were short practically every member who
had any views the subject expressed them No
amendments allowed. although Representative
Henry, of Texas. tried to offer providing that
the question of a constitutional amendment be sub
uitted to constitutional conventions
Representative Payne. who brought the resolution
before the House. frankly declared that the addi-
tional power sought &c be conferred on Congress
10 relieve the country in time Of peace. but
in war or in any great crisis He declared that in
his opinion income tax Is Unconstitutional and
could not be collected without this amendment
1T has been suggested" he said that an income
tax be placed in the pending tariff bill / am not
IN favor Of putting litigation into tariff BILL
especially when I do not believe it Is constitutional.
AS the general policy of income tax am
utterly opposed to it. I believe with Gladstone,
that II tends mako nation Of liars; / believe
that Il IS the most easily concealed OF any tax
that be laid the most difficult Of enforcement
and the hardest collect. That It is, in a word
a tax the income of the honest man, and an ex-
empton to n greater or less extent Of the income
of ra seals. nd l opposed to any income tax
whatever in time Of peace.
Representatives Mccall ana Hill were the only
members who spoke against the amendment Both
opposed II the ground that it circumvented the
wisdom Of the trainers Of the Constitution Mr.
Hill declared that he is not only opposed to he
income tax. but also 70 the corporation tax snd
the inheritance tax. Mr. McCalrs objection was
that under the income tax amendment the smaller
states might hand together to pisge the larger
states He declared that the amendment was the
political Jack Cade OF the future for the levying
Of political blackInail"
Representative Champ Clark r!diculed the Repuh-
l'can position saying that they had a President
who had advocated al different times an income
tax, inheritance tax and corporation tax He
said that the amendment was merely postpone
ment, and that not only could twelve states defeat
II by voting against it, but twelve states could de
feat II by refusing 10 consider IL. TWenty-four
other members expressed their views on the ques-
ton without creating much excitement Repre-
sentative Robinson, Of Arkansas. was taken 70 task
by Mr. Diekema, of Michigan. for saying that a
millionaire never goes to war Mr. Diekema be-
came angry. and after reading Mr. Robinson a
lecture on the seriousness Of stirring up class dis
tincuons said that ex-SecretaTy Newberry and
James Mcmillan. both millionaires, went TO war
from his state
Nj Clayton OF Alabama. said that II the ques-
ton had been put him he would exempt the
poor man, who least able to bear the burdens
Of government and would tax the multi million
aires. and thereby make the idle rich pay some
thing "a the support Of he federal government.
Il would" he said. amid Democratic applause.
get your Willie Waldorf Astors IN the light. who
have millions Of incomes and live abroad I would
get the Laird Of Skibo, or Skeeho, or whatever you
may call It."
Hobo voice or the Republican side was
heard 10 say
Well replied Mr. Clayton those who help N
make hoboss IN this Country
All The Senate amendments 10 the Philippine tariff
bill were rejected and the conference requested oy
the Senate granted