New-York tribune., 1911-04-20
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
RATIFIED BY SENATE
Thomas, AIlds's Successor, in
Maiden Speech Against Res.
oIution, PIeaSeS Colleagues.
VOTE STANDS 35 TO Is
Grady and Bayne Speak EN-
phatically Against Measure,
but Calmly Vote for 1t with
Other Democrats.
TBy telegraph TO The Tribune J

Other Democrats.
TBy telegraph TO The Tribune
Albany. April 19--By a vote OF 30 10 II
the Senate to-day adopted the Wagner res
clution ratifying the federal income taN
resolution It was fought bitterly by Re
publicans and Democrats. Senators Grady
end Bayne spoke in emphatic terms agains'
il. but contended that they were CONSTRAINED
70 vote for II by their party PLATFORM. even
though that documents expressions on the
subject were a straddle. The Democratic
steamroler smashed the opposition.
All the Democrats excepting Senator
Loomis voted affirmatively to-day. The
Republicans voted in the negative, with
the exception of Senators Emerson. Hea-
cock. Hewitt, Hinman, Travis ana VAIN
wright Senator Duhamel, independence
League. voted with the majority. The res
olution Is expected to be acted on by the
Assembly within a short time and Httie
doubt is expressed here of its passage
The most forceful speech on the subject,
and one of the most eloquent delivered In
the senate for several years, came from
Senator Thomas, elected last year TO NIL
cut the term of Jotham p Aids and re-
elected In the fall for a full term. 1t was
practically his maiden speech. He held
the attention OF the Senate for nearly an
hour. When he had finished. members OF
both parties crowded around him to con-
graduate him, while applause rang through
the chamber.
Senator Thomas contended that the New
York state Legislature was not concerned
with party platforms or much with the
logic of the income tax proposition. IL
was directly concerned with the wording
of the proposed constitutional amendment.
That was even worse for what it did not
declare in specific terms than for what 1t
did.
ITO put careless law on the statute
books is bad" said Senator Thomas. ITO
put a bad provision into the federal Con-
stitution is monstrous."
Bayne Wants a Hearing.
The debate on the resolution was enliv.
ened by a request from Senator Bayne
chairman OF the Judiciary Committee,
which reported it, that it be recommtted
for a hearing. He sand he was not present
when the committee voted 10 report 1t. ana
it was reported without his knowledge.
Senator Wagner began the debate with
formal speech advocating the rauhcatloh
OF the proposed constitutional amendment.
He said the federal Treasury was CRYING
for help. ard that the income tax was losl-
cal and just. It's opponents. IN declaring
the wording of the proposed amepdment
would permit the taxation Of state and
municipal securities were political casuists,
"magnifying a molehill into a mountain.
These instrumentalities would not be
taxed he said. but if they were it would
be perfectly proper and the municipalities
and states would not be injured.
Senator Bayne. his request that the dis
cussion be postponed until after a pubic
hearing on the amendment having been de-
MED. made a strong speech opposing the
form Of the measure He said he was ex-
pressing his individual opinions, and in
tended 70 vote for il.
Il am willing 10 sink them beneath the
wisdom OF my party" he SAID.
Then he seemed 10 contradict himself. he
declared that the Rochester platform did
not specifically declare for the amendment
under consideration.
Senator Grady reiterated much that SEN
ator Bayne had said alons this line.
But. odious and repugnant as this tax is
to sound Democratic doctrine. he went on;
unfair as it is TO New York State. the
people voted In favor of constitutional
amendment providing for that kind of
tax. We are here 10 carry out the wishes
of the people
Then came Senator Thomas. Any income
tax, he said, would be great sacrifice by
the states to the federal government.
Many people believed this sacrifice neither
necessary nor wise He criticised the
phraseology Of the amendment along the
lines OF the arguments against it of Gov
ernor Hughes and Mayor Gaynor. He said
one Of the most prominent members OF
Congress had called It "extemporized. I'M
provised" 1T is dangerous" said he not
for what it SAYS. but for what IL does not
saw"
Senator Thomas pointed out that the
amendment should exempt specifically from
taxation state and municipal instrumental
ties IL did not, but left the question In
grave doubt. 1t expressly abrogated the
rule as 10 apportionment Of taxation among
the states. but did not require taxes on IN
come 70 be uniform throughout the United
States. This seemed TO him 10 be OF vast
importance. He showed that the federal
and numerous state constitutions expressly
provided for uniform taxes
Senator Bracket argued that II we must
have an income tax its proceeds should be
kept at home. 1T Is our duty" he said.
TO preserve our own rich for the benefit
of our own poor. For one | don't wish TO
turn over our Rockefelers. Morgans and
Vanderbilts 70 the tender mercies OF Texas.
Oklahoma and Louisiana. / want 10 keep
those birds here for the tender plucking
of our own people"
Mr. Brackets motion that the resolution
be recomnlitted 10 the Judiciary Commit
tee was defeated by strict party vote OF
2l to 80. there being no absentees.
Senator Looms. the only Democrat to
vote against the resolution, said he consid-
cred the arguments of Governor Hughes
about the taxation Of state and municipal
securities conclusive