The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-11

In speech in the Senate yesterday Sen
ator Borah of Idaho. came TO the de-
Tense Of the income tax. and incidentally
took Issue with Gov. Hughes. OF New
York
Senator Borah expressed anxiety for the
Constitutional amendment authorizing
the imposition Of an income tax. He
made an earnest plea 70 the States to
adopt the amendment. although he ad-
mitted that the outlook appeared TO be
unfavorable.
The history OF the income tax since
1894 has not been one which any citizen
can Tecite with PRIDE" said the Senator
For 100 years a rule construction as es-
tablished by the men who helped TO write
the Constitution had been received with
the approval Of an undivided court time
and time again. During this period there
sat upon the bench Of the Supreme Court
some OF the greatest lawyers Of that OF
any other period Of this or any other
country.
Wealth Is DOmlneerinE.
During this period the wealth OF this
country had not become so domineering.
so powerful, so determined, to have It's
own way. During this period, therefore,
we had under the Constitution the right
TO impose a part OF the tax upon wealth
and part upon consumption, and we
did so.
mo one ever saw this country in Just
the condition II Is to-day. Never since
this government was launched has there
been such a restless spirit among the
great mass OF people, such ugly question
ing, such persistent inquiry. No part OF
the government seems 10 escape challenge
or criticism, and IL Is fast becoming pop
ular 20 SCOT at the Constitution Itself.
An unquiet. dissatisfied, suspicious pub
lie mind is the public mind OF to-day
You can defeat this amendment. In
view OF the class OF men who are join
Ing the crusade against Il, I think you
will defeat It. The forces which propose
TO encompass its defeat will not stop at
the most dlsreputable methods 20 accom-
plish their purpose. But when the peo-
pie learn what you have really done
manipulated, II viii go far toward ex-
citing to renewed force that feeling OF
wrath. OF class hatred already too strong
among US. Il will do much to foster
disrespect for and breed disloyaIty 20
the government.
when those who are I'll able 10 meet
the burdens OF government see its enor-
nous expenditures continue TO increase.
larger armies, and larger navles. in
creased burdens. everywhere. and learn.
furthermore, that all this must be met by
a tax on consumption while incomes
which sustain luxury and breed idleness.
and idiocy, go untaxed, they will have
little mercy with you in the hour in
which you must plead with them against
radical changes IN the government I.
do not know how long we can deal with
a patient people in this way. But 7
venture 70 prophecy not much longer.
Urges Governors 20 Act.
II hope, therefore. the governors and
Of this country will be brave
enough to do their duty IN this matter.
Il is the time the people in this broad
land bestir themselves upon a vital
question before Il is too late TO do so.
1T would be nothing less than
catastrophe II this amendment should
be defeated II we are going also 10 be
cut Off from an appeal 10 the court.
This is in every sense the peoples fight"
Senator Brown. OF Nebraska, differed
with the Senator from Idaho. and ad-
vanced the opinion that the American
people would arise to the occasion ana
ratify the action OF Congress in pro-
posing an amendment to the Constitution
for the levying Of an income tax.
Senator Bailey said he was one of
those who believed Congress had the
right to levy an income tax by legislative
enactment and he did not give his con-
sent 10 the adoption Of a Constitutional
amendment to accomplish this result
until forced TO do so by the majority
favoring the principle,