The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-03
BYRD .NsWERS
Sc NAT OR BAILEY.
Speaker Of Virginia House Argues
Against Income Tax
Amendment.

Speaker Richard f.. Byrd, of the
House of Deli. ates, gave out yester-
day a prepared statement answering
the arguments OF United states sena
tor Bailey as to the income tax amend
ment.
The Speaker was of the opinion that
such an amendment to the Federal
Consultation would be surrender to
Imperialism. He said.
II listened with interest to Senator
Bailey's speech last night. 1t was elo-
quent and entertaining. but 1t did not
seem to me to be convincing. Leaving
out certain circumstantial subtleiles
and a good many irrelcvancies, the
Senator's argument seemed about this:
"Q) An Income tax Is a just tax:
CD there Is no danger OF Federal
Federal income tax is necessary be-
cause Republican extravagances can
not be otherwise supported; "a IN
the event OF a Democratic victory,
Democratic administration cannot re-
form the tariff unless aided by the
revenue from a Federal income tax.
Nobody differs with the Senators
first proposition, and most people
tion hardly appeals to Democrat. ano
the fourth may be disputed upon very
reasonable grounds.
What TX Proposed.
Inc senator VIZ cbISN
iion of Governor Hughes, of New
York to be absurd: cannot agree
with this view. The proposed new
amendment is as follows: me Con,
gress ghall have power TO Law ana
Collect taxes on incomes. from what
soever source derived, without appor,
tionment among the several states ano
without regard to any census enumera-
ton.
Language could hardly be broader.
and the failure TO tax the instrument
talltes OF States g1ust be ascrioed 70
the forbearance rather than 10 the
lack OF power of Congress.
1T is wise maxim OF cover nnent
to grant no power which Is not prop
crly safeguarded from abuse.
Il was disappointed that the sena-
"The real objection to the adoption
of this amendment 1t seems to me. are
these:
THE PROPOSAL of the amendment IS
an admission that the power to tax
the income of individuals in the meth
cd proposed does not now inhere in the
Federal government. The proposition
is therefore to Increase enormously
bring the individual in direct contact
with the Federal government and this
contact is in relation to the most vital
concern OF the individual.
state Yielding Revenue.
ut means that the state must give
up legitimate and long established
source of revenue and yield 1t to the
Federal government.
1T means much more than this. 1t
means that the state actually invites
the Federal government 10 invade its
territory, TO Gust its jurisdiction and TO
establish a Federal dominion within
the innermost citadel Of the reserved
rights of the Commonwealth
THE Confederate War and the
amendments which followed the war
did much 10 break down the barriers
which defended the States from Fed
erai encroachinent This amendment
will do what even the fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments did not dot
VIII extend the Federal power so as TO
reach the citizen in the ordinary bust
ness OF life 4 hand from Washington
will be stretched out and placed upon
every mans business. the eve of a
Federal inspector will be in every
mans counting house.
Federal Officers to Dictate.
IF enough States agree TO this
amendment, Federal Congress Will
enact tha tax law. Federal Judges will
construc the law and an army of Fed
eral officers will enforce II. The law
VIII of necessity have indusitorial fea-
lures. 1t VIII provide penalties. 1t will
create complicated machinery.
Under ii business men Will be hailed
into courts distant from their homes.
Heavy fines imposed by distant and