New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-01

should act upon it for the best interests OF
our whole country.
The main rea son why the citizens OF New
York will pay so large part of the tax IS
that New York City is the chief nnanciai
and commercial centre of a great country
with vast resources and industrial actVlty'
For many years Americans engaged IN de-
veloping the wealth of all parts OF the
country have been going to New YORK 10
secure ca initial and market their securities
and to buy their supplies, Thousanos OF
men who have amassed fortunes in all
sorts of enterprises in other states have
gone to New York to live because they ike
the life of the city or because their distant
enterprises require representation at the
financial centre. The incomes Of New YORK
are in a great measure derived from the
country at large. continual stream Oh
wealth sets toward the great city from the
mines and manufactures and railroads out
side of New York. The United states Is
no longer a mere group of separate COM
nrT.nities embraced in political union, II
has become a product of organic growth, a
vast industrial organization covering ana
including the whole country. and the reia-
ton of New York City to the whole organi-
cation of which it is part is the great
N'iASA NNANO'>
why her citizens will pay so great part
of an income tax
We have the wealth because behind the
CITY stands the country. We ought to be
willing to share the burdens Of the national
government in the same proportion in
which we share its benefits,
The circumstances that originally justi-
fed the establishment of the rule of ap-
portionment in the Constitution have long
since passed away. 1t is universally con-
coded that its applica ton TO existing condi-
tons would be SO unjust and ineQuitable as
to be impossible. The power of taxation
which the rule makes 1t impossible for the
nation to exercise may be again. as 1t has
once been. vital TO the preservation of ma
tonal existence. 1t would be most I'M
fortunate if the several states of the Union
were to insist upon the continuance OF this
unjust and useless limitation upon the nee
essary powers originally and wisely grant
ed to the national government
With kind regards, l am always very
sincerely yours ELIHU ROOT.
Hon Frederick NJ Davenport, Senate
Chamber. Albany.
Senator Davenport's Comment.
After reading the Root letter SEN
ator Davenport paid a glowing tribute
both to Senator Root and Governor
Hughes He said that a difference of
legal opinion between two men of the
Calibre of Senator Root and Governor
Hughes had in il no element whatever
of personal controversy; yet nothing
could be clearer. he said. than the line
of cleavage between the two opinions.
speaking for myself" said Senator
Davenport Il do not regard this Off
ference of view between legal experts,
important as ii is. as at all funda-
mental in the final determination OF this
issue l think it will turn out to be
pretty nearly the universal opinion OF
the economists and experts in prac-
teal finance that the Governors fears
are i'll grounded. No harm can come
90 the credit of state or municipal
bonds through the levying of a general
income tax.
There remains. of course, the selfish
consideration that the State of New
York, with its great ability, would be
called on to pay considerable por-
ton of an income tax But this I'M
demolished by Senator Root in the clos
ing paragra phi of his letter that here
after il ought TO hide its diminished
head"
In the Assembly the letter was read
from the clerks desk. In both houses
it was ordered printed as a legislative
document and referred to the Judiciary
committees
In the Assembly tn minority leader
Mr.. F'rsbie. expressed thanks on behaif
OF the Democrats for Senator Root
splendid exposition of the right and
duty of the state in accordance with the
good old Democratic doctrine He
called attention to the fact that William
J. Bryan had advocated such a measure
years ago.