Fergus County Democrat., 1910-10-11

cheap, and it takes more to buy the
same quantity of commodities-in 9th
er words, prices rise. So the presi-
dent says. Right he is. We asserted
in 1896 that the falling prices that
had characterized the markets for a
long series OF years was due to the
relative scarcity Of gold, and we were
ridiculed as idiots. Right you are.
Producing $5O0,O0O,0OO in gold an
nually now as against S2OO, 100000 in
1896, more than the combined output
of the world in gold and silver, then
it is to be expected that prices should
rise. And if that were the sole cause
the rise would be practically uniform,
of course, wherever the cause is
operative-that is, all over the world.
But the rise in England during the
same period, according to Sauerbeck,
the, recognized authority, has been
less than 30 per cent Yes, there is
the retail dealer and the cold storage
man, and all the other causes But
the fact remains that with nothing
but river and the tariff between,
prices are 20 to 25 per cent higher
in Detroit than in Windsor, Canada.
We pay an awful price for govern
ment by the trusts, to say nothing
Of the ignominy of subjecton to a
rancid plutocracy, when all we need
to do is to will to be free.
Income Tax.
"Now, shall drop the tariff and
take up the income tax, but merely
to show you again the hand Of the
system and how faithfully your senior
senator, who stands before you seek
ing your endorsement Of his action
and continuance OF such trust as
you ever reposed in him serves those
whom lie recognizes as his masters.
No. really, | do not think I have put
that matter quite right | do not be-
lieve he cares very much for an en-
dorsement of his action with respect
to those matters to which | have in
vited your attention. He conceivcs,
dare say, that you know nothing
about them, and when he comes here
will delightfully."- entertain you about
some matters so foreign to them that
he imagines you will forget all about
them anyway.
The Court Decision.
anyway, let us consider the in
come tax for a few moments Now,
would you imagine that the system
would be in favor Of or against an in
come tax? Then you know, Of course,
how Aldrich and Catrer voted on it.
You will recall that the supreme court
held the income tax provision of the
revenue act Of 1904 unconstitutional
1t sustained it in the first place by a
S to 4 vote, and, on rehearing be-
ing granted, reversed itself by 5
to 4 vote. Meanwhile the court has
been reorganized. Justice Shiras,
who switched, retired shortly after
wards. Many able lawyers and
statesmen believe the court would
now take different view from that
announced when the question last
came before it. Justice White, who
dssented from the conclusion ulti
mately reached, is recognized as the
most weightv and profound lawyer
now on that august bench. President
Taft, in his campaign speeches, de-
clared himself in favor of an income
tax and expressed the belief that the
court would regard the constitutional
question as an open one What does
the record show? On May 27, the
income tax amendment being before
the senate, Aldrich moved to post
pone consideration OF it until June
10. Aldrich and Carter voting aye,
the motion carried. On June 10. AID
rich moved again to postpone con-
sideration to June 18. The situation
was getting desperate. Insurgency
was in the air. Senators had to face
their constituents. Aldrich was
alarmed. Had he been sure Of his
man he would have let it come to a
vote on the 10th. Meanwhile con-
ferences were being held at the White
House. 1t went over again to July
?, Carter voting with Aldrcf to
postpone But the White House con-
ferences did the work. The president
sent in a message contradicting his
formerly expressed views about the
constitutionality OF an income tax,
and recommended instead corpora
ton tax and constitutional amend
ment (Which the system may be able
to beat since the concurrence of the
legislatures OF three-fourtls OF the
states is necessary. On July 2, Mr..
Aldrich offered the corporation tax
amendment as a substitute for the in
come tax amendment, saying. in the
course OF debate. with brutal frank
ness, Il shall vote for corporation
tax as a means to defeat the income
tax" With Carter's vote the substi-
tuition was made. And now with such
record as that Mr. Carter's state
convention, held in Missoula. by its
platform commends the course of
Senator Carter, and likewise declares
in favor of an income tax Yes, and
it renewed its declartion made III 1904
and 1906 in advocacy of the election
of United States senators by direct
vote of the people Does the system
want that reform? Well, then, you
know how Carter will act in reference
to it. Five times joint resolution
has passed the house of representa-
tives to submit an amendment It
hac heep daaf to tho ,nenoria1c of "a