The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-02-25
SENATOR TRIES
TO RESIGN
Christensen Would Quit as
Finance Chairman-Says
Business Wins

that the senate was opposed TO hi:'
views on the important tax pro-
gram and that business has won
III The senate against agriculture
in crisis when agriculture is in
desperate straits Senator NielS
Christensen, chairman of the up
per house finance committee. last
night handed i'll his resignation as
chairman Of this important COM
nittee. but the senate by a unani-
NOUS vote refused to accept it.
Following urgent pleas from Sell-
tor Watkins Of Anderson and Sen
atnr Duncan OF Union that the res
iSuation not be accepted the upper
house refused to acCcde to the re-
quest Of Mr. Christensen that he be
allowed to retire from the chair
manshlp and also extended a vote
of confidence to Mr.. Christensen
unanimously.
After The senate had refused TO
accept the resignation and had ex-
tended the vote Of confidence. Sen
atur .Jol1nstone moved that fulth her
consideration Of the matter. il there
was to be further consideration. be
postponed until today. which Was
agreed to-.
Senator Christensen plainly told
the senate last night that he would
insist upon being relieved as chair
man. but after the upper house had
al io,Irned number Of senators
gathered abound the chairman aud
urged linn to press no longer his
resignation. Senator Christensen
said the matter was final With him.
In submitting his resignation.
Mr.. Christensen said:
Position in Detail.
''When the chairman of any lead
ing committee here finds the SEN
ate opposed to Ills views on an i'm
portant program the situation be-
comes embarrassing. The only So
luton may be his restoration. so
that he may exercise his Judgment
! free from tue restrictions of
chairnanship. and so that the sen
a.c will be free to choose leader
in accord with its views.
Some weeks ago. the senate
showed itself opposed to tho con-
stitutional amendment allowing
Classification OF property for pur-
poses Of assc=snent. l advocated
this amendment. It would leave
the way open for the Legislature TO
tax notes. bonds. stocks and other
intangible property which now es-
capes taxation. TIL" soralled Mar
Jon report. which, | signed. present
cd This amendment Us the most
Important tax reform measure. and
holds it to be fundamental to
fair distribution Of tax burdens.
'<As chairman Of a special lcPiS-
lativc committee appointed last
winter to recommend relief from
our intolcrable tax situation. have
advocated on this floor u series
OF re.enue measures designated to
relieve real estate and other ta3:gi-
,,le PROPERTY from the support CT
the stare government. This COM
! rnittcc Recommended that the state
/ appropriations be cut Sl."o9.0o0
and five new tax measures: gas
olino tax. an inheritance tax. lux
ury txa. a water power tax and an
+; INCOME tax. designated TO raise oEer
81. 800 .0nn annually. The finance
committee has condemned the luA-
; ury tax. the senate has defeated
! tho water power tax and tie kind
! Of iuconfc tax for which stand.
: This is A break down OF the pro-
gram of tho legislative committee.
+; Of which was chairman. alld
makes impossible the relief we pro-
posed for the orerburdened land
holders unless the senate recon
: siders its actions. I wish I" h" IN
! l,cticr position to advocate this re
consideration.
Business in Control
"E,,Siur$s has won in the senate
: against agriculture" in 3 crisis when
agriculture is in desperate :tralt2.
am business man and know
from experience tho reason b'1sl-
ness protests against shifting the
! burden. But as legislator main
j .ai,, the interests of all demand tlls
shift. We need to even up. 1T IS
. time tu raac upon those who arc
/ losing each year. and to bear hcav-
icr ON those who are making prof
/ its and on those who are spending
f; for what are not necessities. do
: NOT impuen the motives OF those
! who hold that ranital must hai-" lts
way in these matters. but I dllter
J with their Judgment. Some h' ld
that agriculture as we'll as indus
try and business will 80 20 :'nlaSll
! ,u,lcss capital has control Of tlSca |
i legislation. There arc many pat:i-
otic and sincere mon who haze that
cnn>irtinn. Eut it is not my con-
virtinn. and I can not be true to my
j convictions and act longer a' chair
man Of the Senatc's finance com
mittcc which should represent tho
scnate's purpose in fiscal matters
7 promise to be free IN champion
the Marion report and III" rr''"i1
Of tho Joint COMMITTEES on "."no'nN
; ard consolidation.
DO not let any on" ima,'"e |
ann ulittin. a fight. | AIN getting
in better shape TO make one.
Fer these reasons. Mr.. FrcSl-