Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-02-11
BY Inference He Took a Rap at
Gov. Hughes for His Posi-
tion Towards 1t.
THE POSITION OF THE PUBLIC.
People Cannot Much Longer be With
held From Radical Action IL
Something Is Not Done.


liam e Borah of Idaho took occasion
in the senate today to attack the po-
stion of those who oppose acceptance
by the several states of the proposed
amendment to the Constitution OF the
United States which would permit
the levyIng of tax on incomes with
out apportionment between the states.
Incidentally the senator paid his re-
spccts to Gov. Hughes of New York,
including HIM by inference among
those who profess to be In favor of an
income tax, but oppose practical meas
ures which would permit Its enforce
ment. His alluSion was of course to
Gov. Hughes annual message to the
New York state legislature urging de-
feat of the proposed amendment on the
ground that Its language might be so
construed as to authorize Congress to
tax incomes derived from state and
municipal bonds.
Senator Borah pictured the mind of
the public as in state of suspicion
and discomfort toward the govern
ment. and declared that the people
could not much longer be withheld
from radical action IL taxation were
continued in protection of wealth and
in exemption of incomes which sus-
TAIN tHu DEeGu lulcHcSS anu
idiocy." The senator said In sub
stance.
BORAH'S SPEECH.
THE history of the income tax since
1894 has not been one which any citizen
can recite with pride. For 100 years
rule OF construction. as established by
the men who helped to write the Con-
stitution, had received 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
or any other period OF this or any
other country. During this period the
wealth of this country had not become
so domineering, so powerful. SO deter
mined TO have It's own way. During
this period, therefore we had under
the Constitution the right to impose L
part of The tax upon wealth and a
part upon consumption and we did SO.
In 1894 and 1895 these precedents
were overturned. this Constitution re-
ceiyed an Interpretation unknown to
its makers. In the face of the two
most powerful dissenting opinions to
which two other judges assented. the
humiliating and astounding doctrine
was announced that the makers of the
republic had hedged wealth about so
ment could not reach 1t even In time of
war, that the founders of a govern
ment based upon equality and justice
had made II impossible to divide the
burdens OF government between con-
sumption and a large class OF gath
cred wealth. At the last session OF this
body We were called upon to ratify
and declare by express act our assent
to that Interpretation. Under the rules
of the ma1Oritv did 81 a h
mitted this proposed amendment to
remedy this supposed hideous defect in
the fundamental law.
SCHEME AND PLAN.
Now the scheme and plan Is to de-
feat the amendment. Having az a law
body solemnly accepted this
construction OF the Constitution, there
by making II impracticable again TO
appeal to the courts. IL this amendment
can be defeated thus, the government
OF the people. for the people and by
the people, will stand alone among all
the civilized nations of the earth shorn
Of tho power to tax that form of wealth
best able to bear the burdens of gov
THAT is the scheme and plan. and
such man as the great governor of
New York is giving them great aid
'ervor of patriotism. I am in favor of
his power being given to the gov
to be used at least in time
If war and straightway proceed to
lelp defeat the amendment If those
Who are the real enemies of this
measure would come into the open its
riends could deal with them far moro
"Mr. President, no one ever saw
his country In just the condition 1t |
$ today Never since this government |
vas launched has there been such a |
estless spirit among the great mass
# the people. such ugly questioning.
uch persistent inquiry. No part of the
government seems to escape challenge
'r criticism. and 1t is fast becoming
popular to scoff at the Constitution it.
elf An unquiet. dissatisfied, sus-
,icious public mind is the public mind
II today.
DEFEAT EXPECTED