The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-02-10
SCORES Income
TAX ENEMIES
Senator Borah Assails Position
of Those Who Oppose Adop-
tion by States.
PAYS RESPECT TO HUGHES
Idaho soIon Includes Governor Among
Those Who Profess to Be in Favor
of the Tax But Oppose Prac-
tical Measures.


washington, Feb. 10-Senator Will
liam f.. Borah, of Idaho, took occa-
sion i'm the Senate today to attack the
position OF those who oppose accep-
tance by the several states of the pro-
nosed amendment to the Constitution
Of the United States which would per-
init the levying of a tax on incomes
without apportionment between the
states.
incidentally the Senator paid his re-
spects to Governor Hughes, of New
York. including him by inference
among those who profess to be in ia
vor of an income tax put oppose prac-
teal measures which would permit
It's enforcement. His allusion was of
course to Governor Hughes annual
message to the New York state legis-
lature urging defeat Of the proposed
amendment on the ground that it's
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 i'm a state of suspicion
and discomfort toward the govern
ment, and declared that the people
could not much longer be withheld
from radical action If taxation were
continued I'm protection of wealth and
in exemption of incomes which sus-
tain luxury and breed idleness ana
idiocy" The Senator said in sub
stance:
1.-The history of the income tax since
1894 has not been one which any citi-
zen can recite with pride. For a hun
dred years a rule of construction as
established by the man who helped to
write the constitution had received
the approval eof an undivided court
time and time again. During this
period there sat upon the bench OF
the Supreme Court some of the great
est lawyers of that or any other per-
iod Of this or any other country. Dur
ing this period the wealth of this
country had not become so domineer-
ing, so powerful, so determined to
have its own way. During this per
iod, therefore. we had under the con-
stitution the right to impose part or
the tax upon wealth and a part upon
consumption and we did so.
"In 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
humliating and astounding doctrine
was announced that the makers Of the
Republic mad hedged wealth about so
that the taxing powers of the gov
ornment could not reach IL even In
time of war: that the founders of
government based upon equality and
justice had made IL impossible to
divide the burdens of government be-
tween consumption and a large class
OF gathered wealth. Last session or
this body we were called upon to
ratify and declare by EXPIRE act our
assent to that interpretatiu.i. 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.
Now the scheme and plan is 10
defeat the amendment. Having as
law making body solemnly accepted
this construction of the constitution
thereby making 1t impracticable again
to appeal to the court, II this amend
mont can be defeated this, the gov
eminent 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 government.
That is the scheme and plan, and
such men as the great governor of
New York is giving them great aid
ana comfort. Men say with great
ierVor Of patriotisb. I am in favor
OF this power being given to the gov
erhment to be used at least in time of
war and straightway proceed to help
ueieat the amendment. II those who
are the real enemies of this mea-
sure would come into the open Its
friends could deal with them far more
succcssfulls.
Mr.. President, no one ever saw this
country In Just the condition II is to-
u"y Never since this government
was launched has there been such
'.st'ess spirit among the great mass
VI ,he people. such ugly questioning.
su'h persistent inquiry No part Of
.he government seems To escape chal-
''nse OF criticism. and II Is fast be-
eVh'ng popular to scon nj the con-
.".n'on itself An unquIet. dIssatIs-
"'u suspicious public mind Is the
public mind of today.
iou can defeat this amendment.
:" View of the class of men who are
'''h'ng the crusade against "a think
y'u WIN defeat H. The forces which
r''Pose to encompass its defeat win
~ s'op on tho hither side of the most
t'puiahle methods To accomplish
purpose But when the people
tafh what you hnvo rc.fi., An. thn