The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-09
Action Of Virginia Toward H.
come Tax Is Surprising
CAMPAIGN WILL Be HOT
Reasons Given for Turning Down In
come Tax Proposition Arc Absurd,
as Farmers Have Been Wholly
Misinformed.
BY wATTERsoN sIEALEY.

Washington, March ESPECIAL THE
action of the Virginia house in defeat
ing the Income tax amendment has deep
ly chagrined democrats here.
The state was firmly relied upon to
ratify, but instead it has the doubtful
honor of being the frat of states to vote
against the amendment. The action is
all the more surprising in view of the
fact that 1t is one of the most reliable
is ndamental democratic doctrine and
for years has been feature of democratic
platforms. Not only this but Senator
Bailey and the Senate democrats be-
hind him were largely responsible for its
being passed by Congress and submitted
to the people.
There are many reports current as to
what caused the defeat in Virginia. In
some quarters there is disposition to
place the blame upon Senator Martin,
who, it is claimed, is not at all enthusi-
astic over the amendment and whose
friends in the legislature worked
against it.
some OIL tlHe CAUSES OF ueleaI euuIleI-
ated by the Virginia house members do
not speak very well for the intelligence
of the Virginia farmer. 1t is stated, for
instance, that the members of the leg
islature received petitions from their
constituents praying for the defeat of
farmers would have ito keep books il
it were ratified. There is, of course, no
such absurd provision in the amendment
as those who drew up the petitions of
protest we'll know
In the event of the ratification of the
amendment no one supposes that it would
ever affect incomes under $1,000, If that
small, and therefore comparatively Few
people would have ''to keep books
1t is stated tonight that the campaign
for ratification IA Virginia will be vtg-
orously waged from now on and that
several prominent Virginia democratic
politicians who are alleged to be back
Of the movement to prevent ratification
will receive formidable opposition when
they come up for Endorsement at the
polls.
The proposition that accumulated
Wcdltu SHOuiu ilOt DtdT IT'S JuSl tioii
of taxes ought to defeat anyone but a
Pennsylvania senator.
The advent of the Grim reaper has
defeated tho object of three claim bills
passed by Congress within the last week
and incidentally brought to light several
remarkable Legislative condolences. On
Friday last Representative johnson se-
cured the passage of a bill relieving John
II. McBrayer of the payment of $40. ~
due the government for a bond made
by him as surety for whisky deposited
In a government warehouse. The same
day that the bill passed, Captain Nc
Brayer, who was a veteran of the Mex
lean war, died at his home in Anderson
county, Kentucky.
Yesterday Representative Langley Sc
cured favorable report on a bill pro-
viding for the payment of 1920 to Jake
Patrick of Salyersville, an internal rev.
enut employee, who was injured several
years ago by being thrown from horse
back. That night Representative Langley
learned that Patrick had died Sunday.
Senator Bradley received a telegram to-
ton of William Kelly. The senator se-
cured the passage of bill placing him
on the pension roll last week.
John Towers is here to conduct the fight
against N. l.. Steele, the recently ap-
pointed postmaster at Birmingham. There
are a lot of general charges against
Steele. but there Is little of a definite ma
ture other than the alleged finding of
some of Steele's checks In the Birming-
ham postoffice when DR.. Hughes was
postmaster.
Mr.. Towers saw the Alabama senators
this morning. The case will likely be held
UP indefinitely. Senator Johnston did not
care to discuss it today other than to say
that he did not expect Steeles confirma-
tion within the next "a hours
W. s. Reese. the newly appointed Mont
gomery district attorney, was at the cap
itol today looking after his confirmation.
Charges have been made against him. but
Senator Bacon of Georgia. member OF
the Judiciary committee, Is not inclined to
believe they are of serious import
Reese's nomination may be reported Mon
day.
National Committeeman Barker is here
trying to get some of his henchmen con-
firmed. In addition to Steele and Reese
the postniasters at Collinsville. Fort
Payne and Georgiana are held up in the
Senate postoffice committee by the Ala
bama senator's
The death of Senator Platt of New
York has finally brought out the story OF
the republican presidential victory in 1888
Platt wrote it In the early nineties and
gave it toea friend with the request that
1t not be printed Until he died.
1t makes it's appearance today Accord
ing to Platt, Senator Elkins came to him
during the republican convention and Of
fered him the .secretaryship of the treas
ury If he would deliver New York's dele
gate vote to Garfield. Platt consented
and Garfield was nominated and elected
Shortly before the election Matt QUAY
the chairman OF the republican national
committee, came to Platt and told him
that the election Of Garfield was In great
doubt, and Cleveland would win unless
$150O00 more could at once be raised.
Platt got the money for the Garfield
campaign fund, Garfield was elected. but
did not appoint Platt 1t is all ancient
history now, but 1t is an interesting story
OF republican bribery and failure to re-
deem promises. and NJ one doubts but
what it is all true.