The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-09-06
INCOME TAX DISCUSSED.
ROOT MAKES PLEA FOR NEW
WORKERS WHO PAY INCOME
TAX.
Senator Lewis OF Illinois Makes Re.
ply-Says Chosen Few of Wealth
Should Pay for Benefits Of Govern.
ncnt.

Washington. Sept. Am appeal by
Senator Root for justice to the people
Of New York in the levying of the in
come tax and a reply by Senator Lewis
Of Illinois, who declared that the
chosen few of wealth should be made
to pay for the benefits of government
marked today's tariff debate in the
senate.
Senator Root declared that his
state. which paid so large proportion
of the income tax during the War Be-
tween the Sections. voluntarily had
surrendered its constitutional pro-
lection against unfair taxation on the
conviction that the wisdom of self
control and moderation would stay
the other States from combining to
heap upon 1t the burden of taxation.
He said the men upon whom the in
come tax would fall were those upon
whom New York depended as the
source Of meeting it's great yearly ex-
penses. He attacked the $4,000 exemp-
tion as relieving the agricultural
States from the burden of taxation
and advocated $1,000 exemption.
Senator Lewis said New York had
failed notably to make its rich men
bear their share Of the burden of gov
ernment, and that In accordance with
the growing idea that where States
had failed to act the feedral govern
ment must act for them, he was ready
to make the rich pay. He said Senator
Root himself had preached this doc
trine when secretary of state.
WHO are the people Of New York
for whom the senator is so solicitous 2"
inquired the Illinois senator. Are
they those who breed around Wall
street and flock to the waldorf-As-
storia? Are they those whose names
are seldom found on the assessors
list. but who hover around the Med
iterranean In the summer and the
islands Of the caribbean In the win.
ter? Are there no poor and humble
In his State? Why should the SEND
tor ask that my people should be
exemp. from the burden of govern
ment?
1.-THE object of Democracy Is not to
make illegal war on legal wealth. but
legal war on illegal wealth. We hear
talk Of war with Mexico. Who should
be the first to hasten to this capital
to have the army and navy sent out ?
1t would be my people who woul
want the farmers son sacrificed 20
protect their property and to prevent
invasion Of the country. Let them pay
for the great benefits Of government
which they enjoy and let not all the
burden be placed on the helpless that
they may become the hopeless. too"
Tonight senate Democrats caucused
to undertake Anal disposition Of va
rious disputed sections of the bill tina
had been referred back to the finance
committee. The two most important
matters to be considered were the
proposed increase in the income tax
on larger incomes and the cotton fu.
ture tax amendments.
The caucus spent several hours de-
baths; the prohibition In the tariff
bill against the importation Of feath-
ers of other than edible or pest
birds. finally sustaining the finance
committee and allowing the paragraph
to stand unchanged.
1t was decided to leave to the COM
mittees judgment all matters referred
back for further consideration except
the income tax section. the cotton fu-
lures amendment. the Keyon amend
ment to put all articles produced by
trusts on the free list and certain ad-
ministrative features of the bill.
Although the session continued un-
I'll near midnight hardly a start had
been made on the important problems
to be disposed Of. Several sessions
may be necessary to complete the task.
Just before adjournment the caucus
reconsidered its action of the bird and
plumage paragraph and adopted the
original provisions Of the bill as 1t
came from the house prohibiting the
importation OF all birds and plumage
except for educational or scientific
purposes.
$1O.50 per bale above the low level