The Washington herald., 1909-07-13

As result OF action taken yesterday
by the House Of Representatives, the
way has been paved for the States to
make an amendment to the Federal Con-
stitution empowering Congress TO lay a
tax against incomes
BY vote OF S17 TO IA the House yes
terday adopted the Joint resolution passed
by the Senate last week, proposing an
amendment to the Constitution whereby
Congress shall have the power to lay and
collect taxes on incomes from whatever
source derived.
An amendment offered to the resolution
by Representative Henry. Of Texas. pro-
viding that the proposed amendment
should be passed upon by constitutional
conventions instead Of by the State leg
islatures was defeated by an overwhelm-
ing vote
Those In Negative.
The fourteen negative votes against the
resolution were cast by Republicans. four
OF whom are members Of the Conference
Committee on the Tariff, as follows:
Barchfeld. Dalzell. McCreery. and Wheel
er. Of Pennsylvania; Allen. Of Maine;
Fordney. Of Michigan; Gardner. Mccall,
and Weeks OF Massachusetts,: Olcott and
Scuthwick. Of New York, and Henry and
Hill. Of Connecticut Two members an
swered present, Representative Olmsted
OF Pennsylvania. Republican. and Repre-
sentative Bartlett, Of Nevada, Democrat.
The conferees on the tariff bill who
voted against the proposed constitutional
afnendment were Representatives DalzeI
FOrdney, Calderhead. and Mccall
The income tax resolution. proposing an
amendment 10 the Constitution. was not
adopted in the House without a food Of
oratory Nearly everybody was for il.
and an overwhelming number wanted 70
talk about il.
The resolution was reported early in
the day by Representative Payne, Of New
York, chairman Of the Committee on
Ways and Means. Nearly four hours
were allowed for debate. and everybody
who could had-his say on the subject
before the House adjourned.
Mccall I'm Opposition.
The most noteworthy speech was made
in opposition by Representative Mccall.
OF Massachusetts, who expressed his op-
position TO the income tav on principle
and to the pending resolution specifically.
for tho reason. as he expressed it. that it
violated the fundamental principle Of the
Constitution by doing away with the rule
Of apportionment-
The burden Of the Democratic speeches
made on the resolution was TO the effect
that the income tav was stolen by the
Republicans from the Democratic plat
form
Most Of the Democratic orators said
they supported the resolution because
they were deprived OF the opportunity 10 /
vote for the income tax direct "One by /
one the roses fall. and one BY one do the /
Republicans steal planlCs from the Demo /
cratic platform" declared Minority clad 4
er Champ Clark. Of Missouri.
Democratic orators, notably Represent. /
ative Francis Burton Harrison, of New
York, also took occasion to denounce the |
corporation tax amendment. Mr. Harrl. /
son hazarded the opinion that it was un-
constitutional, and expressed the belief /
that II was grossly unjust and inequita- /
ble"
Some Picturesque Talk.
The language used by the speakers in
discussing the income tax resolution was
decidedly picturesque at times 7 scoin.''
said Representative James. Of Kentucky. /
"a government whose taxing power pro-
vides that Lazarus shall share his /
crumbs, but that Dives must not give up /
his riches"
Representative Hill of Connecticut said
he was opposed 70 the income tax be-
cause II would place the burden upon the
larger States IN violation OF the rule OF /
apDortionment laid down by the Constitu- 4
ton. Representative Payne said he had
formerly been opposed to an income tax.
but favored the pending resolution be- 4
cause II provided a means Of raising revs- \
nue. IN time Of war or other emergency.
1T is, in a word" he said, "a tax upon
the incomes Of honest men. an exemption.
70 some extent, 10 the rascals" Mr..
Payne hoped that if the States authorized
Congress 20 lay an income tax the power
thus conveyed would never be invoked,
except in emergency.
The political Jack Cade Of the fr1t11re
for the levying Of political blackmaH.-
was the Characterization given by Repre
sentative Mccall to the income tax CON
sututional amendment. Mr. Mccall said
further:
That fight will he made in q number
OF States against the ratification of the
proposed amendment to the Constitution
was made plain to-day, particularly bv
New England members y,ho r,s-+f-g-.4zs /