The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-05-06
WASHINGTON
From our Regular Correspondent.

washington, ID. e., May 8, 1909
The speech OF Senator Bailey on
an income tax. one of the abiest
which has been delivered on the
floor OF the Senate for many day,
and took two days to deliver, was
highly pleasing to Democrats. who
regard it as an unanswerable argu-
ment III defence of the right of Con
gress to levy an income tax. Mr..
Bailey quoted from court opinions
and other authorities to substanti-
ale his contention respecting the
constitutionality of such a tax, and
said: THAT this is inquisitorial is
true, but not more so than any other
tax. To compel me to tell the
source of my income, as done in
the State in which / live, is as i'll.
quisitorial as to compel me to tell
the amount of my income. As to
the plea that such a tax would
| make us a nation of liars, Mr..
Bailey said I will not insult the
American people by repeating that
charge, but | will repel it as all I'M
warranted reflection upon our peo-
pie. | do not think sef-respect-
ing American citizen will lie to es-
cape the payment of tax; and if
| should find a man who would
commit perjury to escape taxation,
| would favor disfranchising him"
~
A scandal in the Census Bureau
is more than hinted at, to which
the Democrats in Congress are just
awakening Director North is
charged with insubordination and
it is questioned in administration
circles whether he has the capacity
to administer the affairs of the cen
sus office. The opinion obtains
that Mr.. North's resignation will
be asked for by President Taft
within the next few days Mr..
North himself declines to discuss
the matter entirely, except to say
that he has not intended to resign.
Ky"
AT the State department prepa-
rations are in progress for COM
plete readjustment of our trade re-
lations with the nations of the
world, TO follow the enactment of
the new tariff law. In view of the
introduction of the maximum min
mum policy into our tariff law,
many treaties and arrangements
covering trade relations will of ne
cessity be abrogated and new ones
must be negotiated, and to accom-
plish this amicably and without in
volving the United States in COM
me,Sial wars with her rivals is a
herculean task which will call for
all the ability and ingenuity of our
eminently able and tactful Secreta-
ry of State. The President and
the leaders in Congress have every
confidence in the successful out
come of these negotiations in the
hands of Secretary Knox.
***
Mrs. Taft is now seen on the |
streets of Washington and its sub
urbs driving her own electric runa-
bout. Mrs. Taft is as fond of mo.
toring as is: the President and de-
sired to run her own car, but the
President objected to her driving
one of the large gasoline touring |
cars, with which rhe former stables |
of the White House are equipped, |
and compromise was reached in |
the electric runabout.
***
The postmasters throughout the !
country have received notice from
the Third Assistant Postmaster
General that the new issue postage
stamps which the Postofice De-
partment is preparing for the Seat
tie exposition will be put on sale
about June I. The citizens of Sc
attle made no inconsiderable COM
ment on the original design of the
stamp, in consequence of which the
picture of the polar bear clinging to
an iceburg has been changed and
in its stead appears the portrait of
William H. Seward, who, as Sec
rotary of State, conducted the ne
gotiations for the purchase of Alas.
ka from Russia.
*4F
Col. r. M. Johnson, veteran pub
Usher of the Houston Post and
prominent as Democratic politi-
clan in Texas, was in Washington
this week and III discussing the
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