Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-09-16

The now famous reply of James :
Hamilton Lewis 10 Senator Elihu
Roots speech in the United States
senate is here published in is en-
tirety:
Mr.. Lewis-Mr. President, am en-
boldened at this moment to make some
observations concerning the views of
the senior senator from New York
tMr. Root. just expressed by him,
upon feature of the income taX-the
exemption.
l was particularly attracted, Mr.
President. by the allusion of the dis
inguished senator to what he feared
was an invasion upon the right and
privilege of the states TO protect them
selves in the matter OF their income,
also as to the application Of their in
comes TO their own needs. The sena-
tor was concerned as 70 maintaining
their power and right 10 levy tax
within The state to obtain the income
TOR their home uses. AS listened to
him was strongly impressed with the
wisdom of Thomas Jefferson's obser-
walton that ian often recurrence to
fundamental principles is salutary and
preserving"
The distinguished senator from New
York addressed his observations to
tina. theory of government which the
men Of the school of politics such as
adopt, calling themselves democrats.
have ever advocated as essential TO
the real preservation Of the theory of
this republic. That is the right of
home rule in the sta es-the defeat
ing Of any attempt or power of the ma
tional government to invade the pre-
cincts of the states and by presuming
upon an assumed privilege Of national
authority prevent the local government
from exercising their privilege and
rights within these constitutional guar
antics which the founders Of our gov
eminent intended they should enjoy.
! was particularly attracted by the
distinguished senator-recognizin his
eminent ability and paying great trib-
ute to his skill as n lawyer and his
experience as a statesman-in warn
ing the democracy-turning to this
side Of the house-of how it was on
the eve Of permitting a measure to
pass in this body which would not only
invade the privileges of the states.
but destroy their local autonomy-and
greatly distress the state of New York
by its audacious intrusion.
Mr.. President, join with that dis
tinguished statesman from New York
in not only expressing the fear of such
approach. but I go che step further.
and denounce the evil OF its present
existence; but | am compelled TO re-
mind the distinguished senator from
Now York that If any man should ask
me as fellow American to what
source | would charge this new growth
Of Centralism and Capitalization. this
encroachment upon the states to which
he alludes; ! would be compelled to
turn 10 the distinguished senator from
New York and in the accusation OF the
humble shepherd in Israel to the king
to say. Thou art the man"
can not forget, nor should this
country forget, that at time when a
constitutional lawyer might have been
prudent 10 guard the relative function
between the states and the nation
there arose in this country, in a ma
tional administration which was Their
in power, a general tendency to over
ride both the privileges and the rights
Of the states; this TO accommodate il
self 10 the mere expediency of polite.
or the one hand and TO crafty the hu,
and cry Of multitudes on the other
Sir, recall that it was the distinguish
ed senator from New York who. in 9
very eloquent address, characteristic,