The Washington times., 1909-07-05
SENATORS SUBMIT
QUESTION TOSTATES
Income Tax Amendment
Resolution Passes
Unanimously.
Continued from FIRST Page.)


This led TO a long discussion and was
finally voted down by 10 TO 50.
Senator Balley's other amendment pro-
VIuea thal congress should nave author
fty 10 graduate income taxes Just as
a vote was about 10 be taken on this,
Senator Bailey arose and said that 1t
was clear this amendment would be
voted down ana Such action would give
the Supreme Court an opportunity in
The future 70 tDTn down any legislation
for graduated tax.
Withdraws Amendment.
For that reason lie withdrew the
amendment
Amendments offered by Senator Nc
Laurin also were voted down.
A two-thirds vote Of the Senate was
necessary to pass the joint resolution.
The number Of votes obtained was con
EideTably in excess OF the number re-
quired. The amendment proposed viii
become a part Of the Constitution If
ratified by the Legislatures OF three
fourths Of the States Twelve States
VIII be able to defeat it
Opinions diffeT as 10 whether the
amendment ever will become a part of
the Constitution. but the impression of
q majority OF the members Of the Sen
ate apparently is that 1t viii not be
adopted
Text of Resolution.
The resolution is as follows:
Resolved, by the Senate and House
Of Representatives Of the United States
Of America in Congress assembled two
thirds Of each house cencuTring there
I'M. That the following article is proposed
as an amendment TO the Constitution of
the United States. which, when ratified
by the legislatures OF three-fourths of
The several States shall be valid TO all
intents and purposes as a part Of the
Constitution.
Article Is. The Congress shall have
comes from whatever source derived,
without appOrtionment among TIE sew
eral states, and without regard to any
census or enumeration
Aldneh's Objection.
Senator Bristow had barely put in
his amendment for direct election Of
Senators before Senator Aldrich OBJ
5ected that it was not IN order and that
It was in violation of the order OF pro-
cedure agreed on previously.
Senator Bristow spoke briefly in sup
port OF the election of Senators by di-
rect vote. He contended it was in order
and said Senator'S who opposed it must
be afraid to go before the people.
Senator stone Of Missouri then took
up diScD ion Of the Brown resolution
for an iissome tax amendment To the
Constitution. He accused Senator
Brown OF apprOpriating the ideas OF
The Democratic party and Of Mr Bryan.
He thought Mr.. Brown should have the
candOr TO acknowledge it.
Does the Senator mean to be under
stood asked Mr. Brown, '-as Of the
opinion that the Democratic source of
this amendment is thing against it4'
ron TIE contrary, / congratulate the
Senator, said Senator Stone.
rs the Senator complaining because
OF the appropriation of this idea?' ask
cd Brown
I am not complaining; I would con
graduate him., said Senator Stone.
Doesn't the Senator understand that
81 there is any good in the Democratic
platform and the people are TO get the
benefit OF il somebody has TO apprOprI-
ate it?" further inquired Senator
Brown.
Stone Not Prepared.
Senator Stone was not prepared 10
admit this. but the rest OF the Senate
seemed TO appreciate the force of the
remark Senator Stone said that VIXEN
Senator Brown took anything from the
Democratic platform. ne ought TO &C
knowledge II.
Senator stone predicted that three
fourths OF the States would ratify the
income tax amendment TO the Consti-
tuition. But lie said If they did not, it
could not be used as an argument that
the Supreme Court should not uphold
an income tax law.
Clapp's Attitude.
lie was anxious to assist IN securing an
income tax, it seemed 10 him that the
proposition 20 submit the constitutional
amendment TO conventions would pre-
sent complications. and ne preferred its
submission TO the Legislatures
Senator Dixon OF Montana expressed
Tie opinion that in many States the ex-
pense of calling constitutional conven-
sions would be largely used as an areu-
TnnUE AGAINST ii said
cost MS state Sl03009 to hold a cousti-
furiOnal convention. He believed that
the amendment woui9 pass nearly every
Legislature in the Union, and II one
should adjourn without adopting the
constitutional amendment, the question
would become the burning issue in that
State
Mr.. Hepburn Of Idaho asked whether.
II Legislature adjourned without act
Ing on the amendment, II could be sub
mitted an Indefinite number Of times.
Can Come Up Again.
Mr. Dixon replied that unless either
positive or negative action had bee.
taken by the Legislature on the ques-
ton II could be again submitted TO the
succeeding Legislature.
Senator Brown OF Nebraska. the au-
thor OF the pending constitutional
amendment, said that one objection 10
the convention idea was That II was not
known whether the governor of a State
or the Legislature would issue the cali
1Or the constitutional convention.
II u was Issued by the latter it would
be necessary to wait until the Lexis
lature cOnVenes before the convention
could be called and that meant delay
ana postpOnement- There would be no
Worry about expenses ia having the
matter submitted TO the legislators be-
cause IN most States they met every two
years anyway
Mr. Curtis suggested that when the
question was 20 be submitted to the
Legislature of q State. il would become
the paramount issue. TO this Mr.. Bailey
responded that he would dislike to have
every legislator ia the country chosen
with special reference to this Federal
question. That was Just what he want
Cd to avoid.
Borah Fears Local Issues.
Senator Borah % Idaho feared that
local issues before a legislature might
defeat the income tax amendment
through delaying fits consideration.
Whereas. in a convention K would be-
the only issue and would be sure TO De
adopted. If twelve States should refuse