Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-15
HOUSE BY 125 To
45 RESOLVES TO
RAT|FY NEW TAX
Both Houses of Assembly Fa-
vor Income Tax Amendment
Proposed by Congress, Sen
ate Having Voted Monday

Ratified by the general assembly Of
Georgia-that is the status of the in
come tax amendment to the constitution
proposed to the states by congress.
The Georgia house Of representatives
declared for ratification of the amend
ment Tuesday by a vote Of 125 TO 40.
Nothing but this occupied Tuesdays
session Of the house. The debate start
ed early in the morning and lasted LONG,
the last speaker concluding at 11:oo
o'clock From that moment till 1
o'clock, when the result was announced
the house was voting by roll call on the
final question before it-whether or not
the amendment should be ratified by
the Georgia legislature. The senate had
already voted, Monday. to ratify the
amendment. .... ~.
Whether the resolution could have
been held to require a two-thirds ma
jority (12S-as all amendments to the
Georgia constitution reQuire) or a con-
stitutional majority OF the house mem
bership (9S-as all general bills re-
Quire), or a plain majority Of those yot-
ing, as local bills and ordinary resolu-
lions require, 1t passed the safety mark
at 1875, and under any construction the
ratification resolution stands adopted
Speaker Holders, ruling was that IL re-
quired a constitutional majority of So,
but Mr.. Alexander, of DeKalb, pronered
notice that he would ask the privilege
Of excepting to that ruling later II
necessary Mr.. Alexander's view was
that a plain majority was required. IL
twill not be necessary for any exception
to be taken. -
Tuesdays session was featured by
the passage OF this resolution; by the
consequent conclusion Of the debate on
II, for which all members are truly
thankful; and by the fact that not a
single new bill or resolution was intro
duced during the whole time.
To vote on the income tax at 80
o'clock Tuesday morning the house Of
representatives decided by tremendous
and fervent majority Immediately after It
convened Tuesday morning. There was
evident sentiment that enough argument
on both sides had been heard, and that
everybody would be more than ready to
vote by the time the four or FIVE speakers
still remaining had been heard
HAS BEEN LONG FIGHT.
The income tax debate began last We'd
nesday and lasted during all of that day.
1t resumed Friday and lasted all day
more endured during the whole days ses-
sion.
Immediately after the usual formali-
ties of converting, Teusday morning, the
attention of the house was claimed by
Mr.. Edwards of Walton, who reported
the motion which he made too late Mon
day afternoon, that the house call the
previous question on the income tax
matter at 1890 o'clock.
Mr. Fullbright of Burke offered an
amendment to make the time .11:S0
o'clock. This was adopted and Mr.. Guy
ton of Effingham was recognized to con-
tinue the debate on the resolution.
Mr.. McMichael OF Marion asked Mr..
Guyton TO yield for a moment till he
could make a motion that the speakers
be limited to 10 minutes each. Mr.. Bar
rett of Stephens objected to this, linn
itation. though he said he himself did
not intend to utter a word in the argu-
ment. Inasmuch as Mr.. Guyton declined
to yield the floor, the motion could not
be proposed for vote of the house.
Mr.. CIuyton OF Efflngham spoke for the
resolution. Mr.. McMichael of Marion and
Mr.. Hall of Bibb also spoke for It
Mr.. Edwards, of Walton, spoke for. the
resolutions.