The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-03-18
IN WASHINGTON
Congress Meets for Special Session
Cannon Wins Reelection but Is
Shorn of Much Power-President's
Message Asks Quick Tariff Re-
vision.
Washington, d. G.
March Is, 1909.


March 10, 1909.
Congress met today for the special
session called by Pres. Taft to re-
wise the tariff. The first action was
to re-elect Cannon Speaker for the
session, and the second was to vote
that the rules which have given him
so much power, and which have led
to so much criticism are no longer
satisfactory.
The fight over the rules followed
the election of Cannon, and it was
evident after the first roll-call that
the insurgents would win. They had
majority of four, and had every
thing their own way till Mr.. Fitzger-
aid of New York Democrat deserted
and Joined the Cannon forces in a
compromise. This gives most Of what
the insurgents were demanding, but
saves the Speakers face" Under
the revised rules there will be a much
better chance for the majority TO
pass the bills 1t wants. The Speaker
still has much power, but not enough
to entirely prevent the consideration
of bills he doesn't like. There will
be mighty sight better chance CT
good legislation under this method,
tho there will still be a good deal of
opposition from Cannon and his
friends.
HURRY FOR REVISION.
Taft wants tariff revision completed
Immediately. All over the country
business is dull. Merchants do not
bring in goods from Europe and no
tariff revenue is paid into the Treas
ury. The country is running daily
deeper into debt, and must have mo-
ney at once. The only way to restore
prosperity is to get the tariff revi-
sion done and over with at once The
need is very great.
Even with an early tariff change
it is feared that the country will
have hard time in getting money as
fast as it is needed. Just now the
Government is holding back it's pay
ments. The only resource seems to
be an issue of Panama bonds and
some of the emergency bonds provid-
ed for during the panic winter before
last. In this way enough money will
be secured to tide the nation over
until renewed prosperity brings in
creased revenues again.
One way of money getting which
has been much discussed is a tax on
coffee. This would mean a tax on
the common people all over America.
and we should have to pay much
more than now for our coffee. 1t is
likely that Congress will not dare to
neglect the popular desire for a free
breakfast table" Another means of
raising funds would be to tax incomes
and inheritances. The purpose OF the
income tax is to make each man
pay taxes in proportion to the amount
of money that he makes in year.
This has been done in England and
many foreign countries for long
time. In this way II a man makes a
great deal of money as a banker or
lawyer, even II he owns very little
personal property, he has to pay accord
ing to his income. This is said to be
more fair than to make men pay
only on the value of their visible
property. The Democrats passed such
a bill in 1901 as part Of the Wilson
Tariff Act. but the Supreme Court
held that 1t was not Constitutional.
Now the Republicans are taking II
up. The judges of the Supreme Rencl
have changed since 1890, and 1t is
whispered that they would permit an
income tax to be imposed now.
BUSINESS LIKE WORK.
Mr.. Taft sent Congress very short
message. He simply told them to
get the tariff bill passed. and be quicl
about It. He is reported to have
CONTINUED on fifth Psge.t