The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-08-26

come tax is authorized it is quite prob
able that the burden in large part will
fall upon the same states and accord
ingly the opposition TO the income tax
will be chiefly in those states. AS the
roster of states stands now, thirty five
legislatures must ratify the amend
ment. The opposing votes of II Iegis-
latures would defeat it. But if Ari-
IONA and New Mexico are admitted to
statehood there would be forty-eight
states. Then thirty-six legislatures
must ratify the amendment to carry
it into the constitution and thirteen
legislatures through adverse votes or
failure to act would be required to de-
feat it. As Western states Arizona and
New Mexico would be for the income
tax amendment and consequently their
admission would make the task of de-
feating the proposed amendment all
the more difficult.
This complication assures a pretty
fight; for probably the big thing in poll
ties next year will be the action of
numerous state Legislatures upon the
constitutional amendment While some
sections of the country are very en-
Enthusiastically for the Federal power to
tax incomes in support of the govern
ment the opposition is tremendous. 1t
is, of course, the influence of wealth
and will have the sinews with which
to conduct its campaigns before legis-
latures. It is recognized that the fight
will be close and therefore no advan-
tage Will be overlooked
Apart from the census supervisors,
the President is shaking the tree of
Federal patronage as little as he can
this summer during his absence from
Washington. He has been urged deal
of late to fill vacancies on the Federal
bench There is one at Chicago and
then there is an authorization for a
customs court of appeals of five MEM
bers. No money, however, has yet been
appropriated to pay the salaries of those
| FIVE Judges. But the President has TAX
en- very firm position in each case.
He intends to make no recess appoint
ments of Federal judges. President
| Roosevelt made such appointments and
got into numerous quarrels with the
| Senate. Under the constitution the
! Senate has coordinate power with the
President He is to nominate MEN To
| office 'sby and with the advice and
| consent of the Senate.
| As matter of practise the Senate
| does not grumble if the President nomi
mates postmaster, collector of Gus
/ toms or district attorney or any one
| of several other officials during a re-
, cess of Congress. Many such official:
have to work during the recess of Con.
gress and public business has to halt
as p,,& 81
: of those officers are appointed for four
years, while judges are appointed fol
life. Then judges do not go to work
| till the October term of court begins
and it is no great hardship if a place
on the bench is kept vacant for a few
months till Congress assemblies and the
President has opportunity to consult
with Senators and ascertain whether
| the Senate will confirm a given nomina
! ton.
| President Taft s attitude in judicial
matters is regarded as very wise and
contributes to better feeling among
Senators. They have argued that when
a President dominates Federal judge
during a recess and the Judge goes upon
| the bench during the October term, il
is humiliating to the nominee If the
Senate then refuses to confirm him. But
| if the nominee does not enter upon his
service by the time his nomination il
forwarded to the Senate, Senators are
free from any embarrassment in voting
their Judgment of him and there is M
undue humiliation about defeating hin
if senators think him an unfit man TO
judge.
The English Nissdou
Ever since the President left fol
Beverly rumors have been current abou
| the new Ambassador to the Court Of
| st. James. but one, who heard it di
rect from the President, says no nam,
has been seriously considered and M
| appointment is expected for some time
! The President is looking for the RICH
man and would be thankful if any on,
could suggest a good nomination. Elk
| President Roosevelt IS friends hav,
| brought his name but President TAT
| knows that is about the last office tina
Mr.. Roosevelt would ever think of 70
himself. The ex-President could not b.
| persuaded to accept any such place
/ Then a rumor was started in behalf o
/ Secretary of the Navy George Won L
Meyer Mrs Meyer would not obiec
| TO her husband filing that office bu
Mr.. Never has no idea whatever o
! taking it. He is well satisfied wher
he is and wants to make a reputation
as capable Secretary of the Navy
Then President Taft does not purpos
to give the place to Mr.. Meyer beeaus
he wants him, Of all the cabinet of
ficials. to remain where he is and bav
a long tenure. a long tenure is neces
sarv at the head of the Navy Depart
ment to get things ship shape and t.
encourage the highest efficiency.