Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-14
Georgia's Failure to Ratify
Battles Analysis.
REJECTED BY CONNECTICUT
Alabama Alone Has Given Its Stamp
of Approval.
TEXAS TO CONSIDER IT NEXT
Empire State of South May Be in
Sympathy With New England
Industrial Theories.

Barely month has 1t been since the
income tax constitutional amendment was
submitted to the states for ratification.
Already three states have taken it up.
Alabama has ratified it. Georgia and
Connecticut have failed to do so.
The Texas legislature will probably be
the next to consider the subject.
Some surprising developments have al
ready materia liZed in connection with this
proposition. None is more perplexing to
the statesmen and politicians than the
action of Georgia in refusing ratification
1t is pointed out that Georgia is ban
ner democratic state, where Jeffersonian
principles are born in the blood and bred
in the bone. The democratic platform
would seem to be good political gospel in
Georgia.
The submission by Congress of the in
come tax amendment fulfilled to the let
ter the recommendation of the last ma
tional democratic platform adopted a
year ago at Denver. That platform ae-
manded submission of the amendment to
the people.
The republican platform did not concur
in the recommendation. republican
Congress carried out the admonition OF
the democratic convention.
Reputation Battles Analysis.
Yet the Georgia legislature turned its
hack on this chapter of democratic Cos
pei and absolutely refused to indorse it.
Politicians and statesmen have discussed
this course frequently in the past week
and with wonderment.
Were the Georgians wary "of the Greeks
bearing gifts? they ask Did a demo
cratic suggestion become defiled by repub-
lican acquiescence? No solution of the
problem has thus far been vouchsafed.
1t is certain that the Georgia delegation
in Congress thought the income tax
amendments ratification desirable. Rep
resentative Bartlett of that state tried to
hurry through a resolution directing the
Secretary of State to hasten to submit
the resolution to the governor. lest the
legislature then in session might not get 1t
in time
Now comes Connecticut with positive re-
lection of the amendment. That was to
have been expected.
Representative Hin. in debate in the
House, protested nightly against the
income tax. and declared that a few
states would pay IS per cent of the taxes.
Another New England representative, Mr..
Mccall of Massachusetts. dubbed the
measure 1.-The Jack Cade of politics" and
predicted that 1t would be political high
wayman to hold up business and capital
for political effect in the future.
New England Views Adopted!
The suggestion is now made that ar
explanation of Georgia's attitude may b'
found in the fact that of recent year:
Georgia. business interests are becoming
more of a character assimilative will
New England's industries. Manufacture
ing. railroading wholesaling and Other
lines of commercial endeavor prosper in
Georgia.
Indeed. Georsians. by reason of theil
industry and thrift, are sometimes called
1.-The Yankees of the SOUTH
Connecticut's action represents the ex-
trene position of the capitalstic and bust
ness interests toward the income tau
question. Does Georgia, it is being asked
reflect for the new south that same ele-
ment? And is this the beginning of q
breaking up of old political lines III the
south, when politics runs counter to bust
ness?
The existence of this opposition TO the
income tax in the south. it is said. is d
great surprise as well source OF
deep qualification TO opponents OF the
plan in the north. Undoubtedly a new
leaven Of thought is at work, is the con
clusion, in the home of the farmers alli-
ance sentiment, Organism and populism.
No Organization to Fight Tax.
The trouble anticipated by opponents OF
the income tax i'm the growth of an
tagonistic sentiment is pointed out to be
this: There is no organized propaganda
against the income tax, while there is a
powerful and constantly sustained move
ment in favor of it. Every ambitious
politician with self-nterests to advance
is expected to seize upon the income tax
as ready means TO popular favor, and
will talk it from stump to rostrum.
The arguments will be those best suited
to the intelligence of the audience. No
one expects them to be buttressed by ad-
herence to facts.
There is no organization nor prospect OF
one to fight the tax before the people.
When the proposition comes into a iegis-
lature, conservative business interests will
protest, but no one can say that there
Is any effort under way to influence
popular opinion against the tax, while
from hundreds of rostrums the argu-
ments in favor of it will resound.
Twelve states, by withholding ratifica-
ton, can defeat 1t. Two states have thus
far so acted.