New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-18


stitute.
Hinn,an Favors Tax.
One of the most effective speeches for
the income tax was made by Senator
Human. He declared that the states
rights viewpoint was good, but that this
was big country, of which each man
was proud to be citizen, and the ma
tional interest took precedence over
everything.
Some day there will be a, crisis in the
nation he said, and then we will have
to have this taxing power, which it has
been supposed for a hundred years that
we had. This proposition appeals to the
patriotism and sense of justice of our
American people. I want to say that
the man who stands against it is up
against trouble Those words from
whatever source derived have not
caused me to seek any cyclone cellar.
Il would make every man. woman and
child in the state pay his just share of
the expenses of government said he.
"Of all the vicious systems of taxation,
this indirect system of ours is the worst.
| If the people had to dig down in their
pockets for all we spend, we would move
cut and other Senators would take our
places mighty quickly. The Finance
Committee would be buster trying to
keep the lid on than it is letting appro-
priation bills out. If the people knew all
about the way money is spent, which
they really have to pay, they would get
up on their hind legs and kick the roof
off the Capitol
Senator Wagner, who followed, took
UP Senator Humans phrase that the
Democrats were lin right on the in
come tax proposition. And next fall
they'll get in right to stay" he pre-
dicted.
We'll, they. may get in: that is pos
sible." retorted Human. but they won't
get in right: they don't work that way"
Leading Issue, Says Davenport.
Senator Davenport opened the debate
on his income tax resolution. He took
UP the Governors contention about the
taxing of state and municipal. bonds.
First he argued that this would be pos
sible under the federal resolution. When
pressed by Senators Hill and Newcomb
would be possible, he said he believed
that the federal resolution did not
actually grant the right to tax state
and municipal securities.
At the end of his argument he de-
clared that the income tax proposition
was leading political issue.
''Unfavorable action will drive this
issue into politics." said he, land on
the score of party expediency that
would be inadvisa BILE, 1 think. II, would
be one of the hottest political issues you
ever saw. When this was talked OF be- |
fore the people of the state you'd find
them ready to give to the federal gov
eminent this power which might be !
absolutely essential 10 save its life in |
crisis" He continued:
In the hour of peril. every dollar of prop |
erty and income, as well as every drop OF !
blood, should be at the service OF the COM |
mon country. |
1t has been urged that the words which |
appear in the proposed amendment, from |
whatever source derived, are too broad |
and appear to give the federal government |
power TO reach state and municipal bonds |
The words are not too broad, because the I
national government ought to have that |
power. .
A general, uniform income tax upon all
of investment relatively as strong as IT was
before and there would be no appreciable |
change in the price of state and munlcipal
securities and no injury to the instrument
talties of state credit
Would Check Extravaganza.
The income tax is needed in time of peace
TO properly balance the burdens of national
taxation. If the present method of raising
national revenue continues, the end or the
protective tariff is not far off. It will break
,6ar he
the integrity of the protective principle
ought TO be for national income tax, III
ing put upon the protective principle, AND
70 relieve the criticism which is being
levelled at it from every quarter of the ma
Instead of leading TO further extrava-
sance, a direct tax would check extrava-
eance a wholesale system of indirect
f. yation is bad for any people. In a subtle
and dangerous way 1t undermtnes national
economy until the. hour of violent revolt at
The state of New York would pay a con-
siderable share Of any income tax, ana
. hiIjty than other states. because the rest
Of the country is working for New York
New York City is the natural financial.
large number of the well-to-do who secure
their income in far distant states. An in
come tax levied soon and justly In this
escape from radicaiism.
II will be politically hazardous In the
4
Ieadershfp in any state, either through a
fatalistic attitude of mind toward special
privilege for. a class or through blind legal
failscy TO war against the sense OF justice
and fair play of the American people.
kewoonb Calls 1t Craze"
Senator Newcomb, who seemed to head
the forces opposed TO the federal tax,
took issue sharply with Senator Daven-
mort on the political question. He lik-
erred the income tax craze" to the free
silver craze" and the ''greenback craze"
Nobody is SO wise as to determine.
outside the bounds of righteousness and
,ruth what Is wise for his party to do"
said he. II think it may be quite pos
sthle for us here to determine what is
right for us TO do" He recalled the
of the silver purchase act in
/ 500. passed to avert the very deIuee
and calamity which afterward were
brought on"
MANY instrumental in that act of ex-
nediency, which they reckoned high
sta tecraft." he said, I'm 1892 found
themselves in very lamentable posi-