West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-06-03
OUR washington LETTER
Republican Leaders Alarmed at Stu
alton In Senate.
PARTY LINES SOMEWHAT MIXED
Political Influence Losing Its Pull.
Director OF Census North
Fired by TAFT.
PARTY LINES SOMEWHAT MIXED
From Our Regular Correspondent.

From Dur Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, June 1.-If the senate
were TO vote today on the question OF an
income tax il would be added 10 the tariff
bill. This fact was made known 10 the
president by Senator's Aldrich and Crane.
who are greatly disturbed over the situa-
tion, although they still hope TO induce
enough Of the progressive Republicans 10
abandon the idea. The chief objection 10
an income tax is that il will undermine
the protective policy. The amendments
proposed 10y Senator'S Bailey and Cum
minis respectively would raise revenue
approximating $40, 600, 900 year.
so much revenue raised by direct taxa
ton would necessitate the lowering of
many OF the duties and the extreme pro-
tectionists are appalled, at such pros
pect. On the other hand, they would not
dare collect so much from incomes and
then gather into the treasury the full
amount of revenue which the present bill
would produce, because that would Sc
riously menace the prosperity of the coun-
try and encourage an era of extravaganza
even exceeding that of the last few years.
H%E
SO greatly are the Republican leaders
alarmed at the situation i'm the senate
that they are seriously considering offer
ing the Taft proposition of tax on the
dividends OF corporations as a substitute
for the income tax amendment. The
former would raise a revenue. IL is esti-
mated, of about $40, 900, 900, and thus
obviate to a considerable extent the neces-
sity OF lowering the duties all along the
line. The Republicans believe that in
this way they may be able TO head off the
income tax advocates Possibly they can.
1t remains TO be seen.
EKE
The oft repeated question, "What is a
Democrat?' seems likely to be presented
in new form and any man who listens
To the tariff debate in the senate for. a
few hours may well ask himself, cam /
DemocratP' Senator McEnnery, of
louisiana, has just been telling the sem
ate that the old Democratic doctrine of
free raw materials of tariff for revenue
only, etc, is all nonsense and has been
begging his party colleagues to vote with
him for the highest possible duty on sugar.
Senator Bailey says that the pledge in
the Democratic platform to repeal the
duty on lumber is unwarranted and un-
Democratic and Canatn- G.o,,o - M
souri,, says Mr.. Bryan has no right to
crlticise those Democrats who voted for a
duty on iron ore, as the free raw mate
rial doctrine has been exploded"
Senator Clay, of Georgia, on the other
hand, says that the duty on sugar is an
outrage; that it makes only for increased
profits to the sugar trust, and that it inn
poses great additional burden on the con
sumner.
One need not he in the condition OF the
member of the house who first PROFOUND
ed the historic question, "Where am /
at?' to become confused regarding his
party allegiance after listening to these
Democratic statesmen for few hours, and
then when he hears Senator Bristow pro-
testing vigorously against the high pro-
tective duties which the Republicans arc
seeking TO impose, hears majority of
the Democrats vote to retain the duty on
lumber, and learns that President Taft is
begging his party colleagues to impose
lower duties and "revise the tariff down
ward" he will indeed be wise partisan
II he can determine TO what political
camp Inc belongs.
The president has struck terror 10 the
hearts of many members of the admins
tration who have long relied solely on
political influence to retain them in office.
He has practically demanded the resigna-
ton of 5. N. ID. North, director of the
census, and has appointed T.. Dana Du-
rand, now deputy commissioner of cor
porations, in his place. Mr.. North has
behind him no less powerful politicians
than Senator'S Aldrich, Lodge, Crane, and
others, to say nothingof Speaker Cannon.
When, just month ago, il was learned
that Mr.. North was under investigation
his powerful political friends rushed 10
the White House and told the president
lit would never do to drop North" The
president said nothing in reply and they
came away convinced that they had ac-
complished their end. Mr.. North him
self said that the friction was ga thing of
the past" and now, as from clear sky.
comes his resignation and the appoint
ment 81 his successor. Mr.. Durand. who
succeeds North, has no political influence.
but is'known 10 be statistician OF ex.
ceptional ability and an executive officer
Of great force and ability.
The president is having considerable
difficulty finding the right man 10 send as
minister to China. lie has begged John
Hays Hammond 10 accept IL, but AIr.
Hammond has declined. lie wants a
shrewd, keen business man, not a diplo.
mat, for the place. Rumor has II that
William Nelson Cromwell is under con-
sideration. lie was, but il was found that
his confirmation would be opposed in the
senate, and It is doubtful II the president
will turn b him again.
Francis GeEner, Of the Wheeling In.
tclligencer Is the authoritv that fbo I'm