Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-05

as the ahIest southern representative in
congress in my day. These men made
no pretense OF being tariff experts; they
employ all the expert help they need.
Il fully realize. and ! wish our peo-
pie would. that the present prosperity
Of the treasury is due in no small meas
ure to the existing tariff, which, not
withstanding all its faults. is a reve-
nue-producer. There is a good deal
more that can be said for that act. IL
gave us a maximum and minimum tar
III proviso. which deem OF the highest
Importance. and which tended to in.
crease our foreign trade substantially.
II gave free trade with the Philippines.
which has made the islands more pros
porous than ever in their history. with.
out injury to any American industry.
II gave authority that i used to create
and appoint a tariff board which.
though not the commission / sought, is
doing a most useful work; and it inn
posed a corporation tax. on which 1
had set my heart, but which at times
despaired of getting through"
INCOME TAX.
Now that you have launched your
project for constitutional amendment
fou probably have in mind some partic-
ular form of general income tax to rec
ommend 20 congress when IL is free to-
act?'
In a way. yes. I believe. on princi-
pie, in a geenral income tax. The only
good arguments against II are that II is
inquisitorial and that II offers a temp
tatiC to perjury. But 1 would not re-
sort to the ordinary income tax except
In an emergency like war. when l would
have IL graduated. so that those citi-
zens who had most at stake should bear
a correspondingly large share of the
burden OF the common defense. In time
OF peace I would svoid temptation to
perjury and would confine the govern
ment to taxes that do not involve such
inquisitorial methods in their collec-
ton"
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS -
MIR. President, i suppose you have
noticed Mr. Bryan.s comments on your
appointment OF Chief Justice Whittier
"An that L6have to say about my ju-
dicial appointments is that 1 have re-
garded my duty in respect to them as
the most sacred with which am charg-
ed. and that / have spared no effort to
secure for the supreme court and other
courts the best men / could get. with
the fullest appreciation of the fact that
the federal courts. and especially the
supreme court. constitute the chief bull
wark OF the institutions of civil liberty.
created by the constitution"
UNFINISHED BUSINESS"
Now, Mr.. President. something of
the future. fwhat do you purpose
treating as your calendar OF unhnish-
ed business for the rest OF your term p
In the domestic field. 1 suppose re-
auctions in the wooden and cotton sched-
ules. and possibly in the metal sched-
ule Of the tariff. will go to the top OF
tire calendar These will be founded
far as my recommendations are con-
cerned. on the report of the tariff board.
1 have heard II insinuated that con-
gress will not heed the suggestions of
an executive board. AS to that / have
no means OF judging in advance. What
shall do is to put the whole thing
I'D to congress, and leave the members
to settle with their constituents IL
they prefer not to act IN the house
the democratic majority have always
professed themselves ready to accept
any reductions they can get, and I am
going to take them at their word in
good faith. Where the insurgents will
stand 1 am not prophet enough even to
surmise.
For another thing. we ought to OBJ
tain some legislation which will en-
able Alaska to develop without infring-
ing on our broad policy OF conservation.
Then there is the question OF ratify-
ing the peace treaties with England and
France, and the fiscal treaties with
Honduras and Nicaragua. which in their
way are peace treaties also, as their
purpose is TO remove one OF the most
prolific causes OF war"
II assume that you know that IL has
been widely limited that your tour was
the opening OF your campaign for re-
electionT'
TRIED TO ACT WISELY.
Certainly. as is the case with all
administrations. much OF what l have
done since 1 have been n ONCE has
had some political color put upon IL by
those who were inclined to be critical
The truth is. however, that political
considerations have not weighed heavi-
Iy with me. / have tried to do in each
case what seemed to me the wisesi
thing, regardless of it's effect upon my
own future Indeed. in more than one
instance I have been perfectly con-
scious whose bad blood would be STIR
red by some act Of mine or some re-
fusal to act The circumstance that
the same persons who nail me. after
one application of equal justice, as a
far-seeing, conservative patriot, de-
nounce me after the next as an uu
reasoning. radical, does not greatly dis.
turb my equanimity. I set that down
as all in a days work
THE SECOND TERM.
Il am very grateful ror the honors
the people have given me. I do not af
feet TO deny the satisfaction ! should
feel If, after casting up the totals pro
and con. and striking a balance, they
should decide that my first term had
been fruitful enough of good to war
rant their enlisting me for another. ANY
man would be proud Of such verdict
But ] have not been willing. nor shall
I be, to purchase il at the sacrifice o.
my freedom to do my duty as l see il
.dy happiness is not dependent on hold
ng any office: and / shall go back Il
private life with no heartDurnings 1
he people. after an unprejudiced review
Of my administration. conclude tina
some one else can serve them to thei
greater advantage"