New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-21
PLEAS FOR AN INCOME TAX
Levied Through Civil War and
Until 1872, Says SelIgman.
SPEAKER REBUKES HUGHES
For Same Error He Would FUNK
a Student in Examination
Without Any hesitation.

The Judiciary Committee OF the Assem-
tly held special meeting yesterday after
room in the Aldermanic Chamber to hear
addresses on the proposed income tax
amendment 10 the Constitution. Professor
T. r. A. Seligman, of Columbia Univer-
sity: Lawson Purdy Of he Department OF
Taxes and Assessments. and others spoke
Aaron j. Levy. chairman Of the commit
tee presided. When he had introduced
Professor Seligman the latter said that the
income tax could not be rightly regarded
as something new in this country. Such
tax had been levied through the civil war
and thereafter until 1872 1t had been oe-
clared unconstitutional in 1885 as the re-
suit OF the change Of mind OF one OF the
Judges. who had first voted that II was
constitutional and later reversed himself
The historical ground on which THIS chansc
of mind had been based was absolute error
and fallacy. The meaning Of the proposed
constitutional amendment had been simply
that the people were trying TO restore to
the government power that IL had eXer-
cised until 1885.
Under no conceivable circumstances
could the imposition Of an income tax af-
feet the value of the state and municipal
bonds an iota." said Professor Seligman
why? Because wherever the investor
turned he would be subjected to the same
tax"
Professor Seligman raised laugh arhohs
those present when he said
II one Of my students in an examination
made the mistake fell victim 10 the falacN.
that Governor Hughes did in speakins
about possible loss of value 10 STATE U1,
municipal securities | would HUNK NM
without any hesitation whatever.
When some one asked Professor Sellg-
man whether the income tax might prove
transitional. he was told that times and
men have changed since the days or John
Stuart MIL and others Of fifty years ago
Professor seligman said he believed that
an income tax act could be framed and
raised hv Congress that would not be one
hundredth part as inquisitorial as an or
oinary real property tax.
Assemblyman Terry quizzed the profess
scr. and asked him whether he had con-
suited more than one authority on the SUD
ject. This question caused an outburst OF
merriment.
Have YOU read that book through"
asked Mr.. Terry finally, pointing TO copy
Of Nj Seligmans own book on Income
Tax" which lay before him on desk. the
SHOUTS o. 4duS4ltti litFV4-NNN
lyman from ansv ering.
Chairman Levy asked the speaker how
much he supposed John D. Rockefeller paid
toward the national debt. Mr.. Selieman
answered that. rs Mr. Rockefeller neither
smoked nor drank, he probably paid htie
toward the country's debt.
In bringing his address to close Pro-
lessor Seligman said:
We nave come 70 a time IN which the
the tendency of the times is 20 compel them
&c hear their share Of the burden
Edward H. Blanck was introduced by
former Congressman Littleheld, TO speak
IN replv 10 the Governors letter of recent
date about the income tax.
I do not know what clause in the state
constitution gives TO the Governor the au-
thority 10 write letters 20 the Speaker or
the Assembly" lie said. but we must
meet the issue as it is presented 10 us.
Mr. B!anck went on TO say that there
was no ground for the Governors fear that
there might be rivalry between two classes
Of citizens. those who hold municipal bonds
and those who do not if the words from
whatever source derived" were not in
serted in the proposed amendment.
Lawson Purdy. in getting up 10 speak
said that he appeared as a private citizen
and a Democrat. lie spoke in favor Of the
income tax. but was opposed TO the omit
ting Of the words from whatever source
derived"
Mr.. Littlefeld. in speaking on the ques-
ton. said
The Democratic national platforms ever
since 1896 have promised an income tax.