Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1910-02-14
BORAH PLEADS
FOR Income TAX
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS foes
Are Denounced.
Idaho Senator ReCiteS lntere StinQ
History of Income Tax Laws, and
PAYS Respects to Opponents Of
the Measure Who Profess to Fav.
or Il.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 10
Senator William E. Borah of Idaho,
took occasion in the senate today to
attack the position of those who op-
pose acceptance by the several states
of the proposed amendment to the
constitution of the United States
which would permit the levying of a
tax on incomes without apportion-
ment between the states.
Incidentally, the senator paid his
respects to Governor Hughes of New
York, including him by inference
among those who profess to be in ia
vor of an income tax, but oppose
practical measures which would per-
nit it's enforcement. His allusion,
was, Of course, to Governor Hughes
annual message to the New York
state Legislature urging defeat of the
proposed amendment on the ground
that it's language might be so con-
strued as to authorize congress to tax
incomes derived from state and NUM-
cipal bonds.
Senator Borah pictured the mind
of the public as in state of suspic-
ion and discomfort toward the gov
ernment, and declared that the peo-
pie could not much longer be with
| held from radical action if taxation
We're continued in protection of
wealth and in exemption of incomes
which sustain luxury and breed idle
ness and idiocy" The senator said
in substance:
Supreme Court Changes
"The history of the income tax
| since 1894 has not been one which
any citizen can recite with pride. For
q hundred years a rule of cOnstruc-
[ tion as established by the men who
| helped to 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
period of this or any other country.
| During this period the wealth of this
country had not become so domneer-
! ing, SO powerful, SO determined to
/ have its own way During this per-
led. therefore, we had under the con-
! stitution the right to impose a part
of the tax upon wealth and a part
upon consumption, and we did so.
I'm 1894 and 1895 these preced-
ents were overturned, this constitu-
tion received an Interpretation un-
/ known to its makers. In the face Of
two most powerful dissenting opin-
iCns TO which two other Judges as
! sented, the humiiating and astound-
ing doctrine was announced that the
makers of the republic had hedged
wealth about so that the taxing pow
ers of the government could not reach
it even in time of war; that the fOun-
de1s Of a government based upon
equality and Justice had made it i'm
possible to divide the burdens of gov
eminent between consumption and
/ large class of gathered wealth. Last
session of this body we were called
upon to ratify and declare by eX-
press act our assent to that interpre-
tation. Under the rule of the ma
! jority, we did so. We submitted this
proposed amendment to remedy this
supposed hideous defect in the fun
damental law.
Scheme to Defeat Measure
"Now the scheme and plan is to de-
feat the amendment. Having as a law
making body solemnly accepted this
construction of the constitution,
thereby making it impracticable again
L,
ment can be defeated this, the gov
eminent of the people, for the peo-
pie 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
and comfort. Men say with great
fervor of patriotism, | am in favor
of this power being given to the gov
ernment to be used at least in time
of war, and straightway proceed to
help defeat the amendment. If those
who are the real enemies of this
measure would come into the open
it's friends could deal with them far
more successfully.
Country Is Restless
"Mr. President, no one ever saw
this country in just the condition
it is today. Never since this govern
ment was launched has there been
such restless spirit among the great
mass of the people, such ugly ques-
tioning, such persistent inquiry. No
/ part of the government seems to es-
cape challenge or criticism, and it
is fast becoming popular to scoff at
/ the constitution itself. An unquiet,
dissatisfied, suspicious 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, think