The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-10


national government.
Senator Lassiter was the only op-
ponent of the Halsey resolution pro-
vfding for the ratification of the
amendment Mr.. Lassiter read an ed :
itorial from New York paper. which,
he said, explained his position with
regard to the amendment.
Il When the vote was taken Senators
Noel. Thornton, Ward and Gravatt
Mere the onlF-oxses- to stt4e-wftff sena-
tor Lassiter In opposing the amend
ment. In explaining his vote Senator
Gravatt said he could not agree to
ratify the amendment, because II
4 would prevent the Democratic party
from reducing its power when 1t got
control OF the government at Wash
tngton.
Senator Noel, the only Republican
/ present, and incidentally compelled to
/ attend the session of the Senate by the
/ sergeant-at-arms, voted against the
! ratification. although it was proposed
1 by a Republican Congress- and ably
| Sc 2onded by President Taft and ex-
! President Roosevelt.
/ senator Halsey's Speech.
After lamenting the absence of so
many Senator'S from their seats. Sem
ator Halsey described the subject as
/ one of moment and dignity second
10 no matter before the Leyisia-
/ ture,
! He then read his Joint resolution
providing that the General ASSEM-
/ bly, ratify the sixteenth amendment.
4 want to cali the attention of all
I Democratic Members OF the Senate
TO the fact that the imposing of an
income tax 10 q Democratic princi-
/ Pile, and was founded by Il Demo-
cratic Congress. first Democratic.
! Congress cinGa fha NSx}t
Mr.. HaIsey.
He then read the remocratie plat
form during the campaign of 1896.
! In which the party declared for an
income tax, and the platform CT 1905.
In which the Democrats again en-
dorsed Ii. The Senator from Lynch
burg said he was unable to under
stand how any Democrat could vote
against the amendment, whether II
was drawn by Republicans or Dem
ocrats. He declared the Seuate of
the United States voted II to o for
the amendment, and said Us to lit
was the vote In its favor in the House.
All the members of the Vlrg MA dele
cation voted to submit the amend
ment to the Legislature o. me Old
Dominion for ratification.
Working down or up to the amend
ment, Mr.. Halsey declared the pro-
HbSsQ lIlGRIIlS ldA d l4lUl -iAAa- Htlu VIZ
rich people took refuge behind the
decision in the Pollock casF. IN which
the Supreme Court held mat Gem
! gress could not levy an income tax
without apportionment TO the several
States.
THE ratification of this amend
ment." said the Senator. means the
downfall of the protective tariff and
this was admitted by Senator Aidrich,
who said in the Senate he would
vote for a corporation tax, Dur would
not vote for an income tax, because
ii would tear down the tariff walk
This amendment means that the
rich man shall pay his Jus. proper
ton of tax and the poor man, who
Is the Consumer and pays "A tax on
everything he consumes. shall not be
compelled to pay all the costs of
maintaining the national govern
ment"
Senator Halsey said ne had no
fears for the bug-a-boos held up by
opponents OF the amendmsnt. He
declared there was no danger Of the
Federal government taxing the in
strumentalities, as the CONSTITUTION
prohibited II. The Speaker declared
he did not wish to see Virginia take
a wrong stand on an important mat
ter or violate Il Democrats pledge.
Mr.. Lassiter Reads Editorial.
Senator Lassiter then arose to OPP
pose the adoption of the Halsey reso-
luton, which he declared to be an en-
croachment on State rights and Demo-
cratic principles, He said, in view of
the Houses action of few days ago
and the fact that both branches OF
the Assembly were considering the
general appropriation bills. any action
on the part OF the Senate would be
futile. Mr.. Lassiter said the only
preparation he had made for meeting
Senator Halsey's argument was to
work hard all day and annex a ner-
vous headache. He therefore asked !
the Indulgence OF the Senate while he
read an editorial from conservative |
newspaper Except where Theodore !
Roosevelt is concerned) published In |
New York.
MIR. Lassiter said the writer had !
expressed his views perfectly. where (
upon he read an editorial from the |
Sun of March l. The writer opposed I
the amendment on the ground sug-
gested by Governor Hughes, that its |
adoption would give the Federal gov /
eminent authority to tax the faculties /
and instrumentalitfes OF the States.
Mr. Lassiter said his chief objection /
to the amendment was that 1t meant /
surrender by the States OF the ex- +
emption OF their faculties and instru-
mentalities enjoyed by them under
the terms OF the Constitution.
After concluding the reading of the |
four column editorial Senator LASH |
ter thanked the Senate for listening to |
him with. such close attention He |
said he was born Democrat and an
Episcopalian. and he could not change /
either The Senator declared his UNI
10 centraiize further power /