El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-02-10

Senator Borah Declares That
the People Demand Right
to Tax Wealth.
BOASTS HUGHES
ON HIS ATTITUDE

| lance by the several states Of the pro-
posed amendment to the constitution of
the United States which would permit
the levying of a tax on incomes with
out apportionment between the states.
Incidentally the senator paid his re-
spects 70 governor Hughes, OF New
York, including him by inference
among those who profess to be in
favor OF an income tax bU. oppose
practical measures which would permit
its enforcement His allusion was Of
message to the New York state legis-
lature urging defeat Of the proposed
amendment on the ground that its
language might be so construed as to
authorize congress TO tax incomes de-
rived from state and municipal bonds.
Public Mind Suspicious.
Senator BOrah pictured the mind OF
the public as in a state of suspicion
and discomfort toward the government,
and declared that the people could not
much longer be withheld from radical
action if taxation were continued In
protection of wealth and in exemption
of incomes which sustain luxury and
breed idleness and idiocy-" The sem
ator said in substance:
THE history Of the income tax since
1894 has not been one which any cfti-
zen can recite with pride. For 100
years a rule of construction as estab-
lished by the men who helped 10
write the constitution 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 pekiod OF
- ~
this period the wealth Of this country
had not become so domineering, so
powerful, so determined to have its
own way. During this period. there
fore, we had under the constitution the
right TO impose a part of the tax upon
wealth and part upon consumption
and we did So
Burdens Not Divided.
TN 1894 and 1895 these precedents
were overturned. this constitution re-
ceived an Interpretation unknown to
its makers In the face of two most
powerful dissenting opinions to which
two other judges asseNted. the humil-
iating and astounding doctrine was an
nounced that the makers of the republic
had hedged wealth about so that the
taxing powers of the government could
not reach 1t even in time of war: that
the founders of a government based
upon equality and justice had made it
impossible to divide the burdens Of
government between consumption and
a large class of gathered wealth. Last
session of this body we were called
upon to ratify and declare by express
act our assent to that Interpretation.
Under the rule of the majority we did
so. We submitted this proposed amend
ment to remedy this supposed hideous
defect in the fundamental law.
Government Sham of Tax Power.
Now the scheme and plan is TO de-
feat the amendment Having as a law
making body solemnly accepted this
construction of the constitution, there
by making it impracticable again to
appeal to the court. II this amendment
can be defeated this. 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
the power to tax that form of wealth
best able to bear the burdens of gov
eminent.
THAT is the scheme and plan, and
such men as the great governor OF
New York is giving them great aid and
comfort. Men say with great fervor Of
patriotism. am in favor of this
power being given TO the government
to be used at least in time of war,
and straightway proceed TO help de-
fsat the amendment If those who are
the real enemies of this measure would
come into the open its friends could
deal with them far more successfully.
Masses Are Restless
Mr.. President, no one ever saw this
country in just the condition 1t is to-
day. Never since this government was
launched has there been such restless
spirit among the great mass OF the
people, such ugly questioning, such
persistent inquiry No part Of the
government seems to escape challenge
or criticism, and 1t is fast becoming
popular to scott at the constitution
itself An unquiet. dissatisfied, sus-
picious public mind is the public mind
of today.
You can defeat this amendment.
In view of the class of men who are
joining the crusade against it d think
you will defeat it, The forces which
propose to encompass it's defeat will
not stop on the hither side of the most
disreputable methods to accomplish
their purpose. But when the people
learn what you have really done. the |
manner in which this has been manipu-
lated, 1T viii go far toward exciting TO
renewed force that feeling Of wrath. OF
class hatred already so strong among !
us 1t viii do much TO foster diSre |
spect for and breed dIsloyalty to the /
government.
Government Expenses Increase
When those who are i'll able to meet /
the burdens of government see its
enormous expenditures continue to in
crease. larger armies and larger navieS,
increased burdens everywhere, and
learn furthermore that all this must
be met by tax on consumption whlle
incomes which sustain luxury ana
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 now
long we can deal with a patient people
in this way. But venture to prophecy
not much longer.
81 hope therefore the governors and
legislatures of this country VIII De
hrox-a ororeb TO do their duty in this
matter. 1t is time the people in this
broad land bestir themselves upon this
vital question before IT Is too late to
do so. It would be nothing less than
Tnant Sh0ul6