Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-02-12
LAWMAKERS ACCUSED OF At
TEMPT TO ovERTURN
CONSTITUTION.
MAKES STRONG PLEA
FOR INCOME TAX PLAN
Sees Defeat Of Measure in Senate But
Hopes States Will Override Congress
Governor Hughes Accused Of Civ
ing Comfort to Enemy Taxing
Power of Nation at Stake.

Washington. Feb. 11.-Senator Will
liam E. Borah, Of Idaho, took occasion
in the senate to attack the position
of those who oppose acceptance by the
several states of the proposed amend
ment to the constitution of the United
States which would permit the levying
of tax on incomes without appor-
tionment between the states.
Incidentally the senator paid his re-
spects to Governor Hughes, of New
York, including him by Inference
among those who profess to be in favor
of an income tax but oppose practical
measures which would permit its en-
forcement His allusion was Of course
to Governor Hughes annual message
to the New York state legislature
urging defeat of the proposed amend
ment on the ground that it's language
might be so construed as to author
iZe congress to tax incomes derived
from state and municipal bonds.
Senator Borah pictured the mind OF
and discomfort toward the government
and declared that the people could not
much longer be withheld from radical
protection of wealth and in exemption
of incomes which sustain luxury and
breed idleness and idiocy."
Constitution Overturned.
The senator said in subs lance:
In 1894 and 1895 precedents We're
overturned. and the constitution re-
ceived an Interpretation unknown to
its makers. In the face of two most
powerful dissenting opinions to which
two other judges assented, the humil-
iating and astounding doctrine was
that the makers of the r.
public had hedged wealth about so
that the taxing powers of the govern
ment could not reach it even in time
of war; that the founders of gov
eminent based upon equality and JUS
tice had made 1t impossible to divide
the burdens Of government between
consumption and a large class of gath
cred wealth. Last session of this body
we were called upon to ratify and de-
clare by express act our assent to that
Under the rule of the
majority we did SO. We submitted this
proposed amendment to remedy this
hideous defect in the funda-
mental law.
Shorn Of Power to Tax.
Now the scheme and plan is to de-
feat the amendment. Having as law
making body solemnly accepted this
construction Of the constitution, there
by making it impracticable again to
appeal to the court, if this amendment
can be defeated this, the government
of the people, for the people and by
the pepole, will stand alone among all
the civilized nations Of the earth shorn
of the power to tax that form OF
wealth best able to bear the burdens
of government.
"That is the scheme and plan, and
such men as the great governor or
New York is giving them great aid and
comfort. Men say with great ferVor or
patriotism, am in favor of this power
being given to the government TO be
used at least in time of war, and
straightway proceed to help defeat the
amendment If those who are the real
enemies of this measure would come
into the open it's friends could deal with
them far more successfully.
Mr.. President, no one ever saw this
country in just the condition it is to-
day. Never since this government was
launched has there been such restless
spirit among the great mass of the peo-
pie. such ugly questioning. such per-
sistent inquiry. No part Of the gov
eminent seems to escape challenge or
criticism, and it is fast becoming pop
ular to scott at the constitution itself.
An unquiet, dissatisfied, suspicious
public mind is the public mind Of to-
day.
Expects Its Defeat.
.You can defeat this amendment. In
view of the class of men who are join
ing the crusade against it think you
will defeat it. The forces which pro-