The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1922-02-22
Christensen Wonld Quit as FL
81. Chairman.
SAYS ,sRUsINEss WINS
Declares Senate Against Agriculture
in Cfasis-Upper House Re
hfnScs to Accept.

Declaring that the senate was op-
posed to his views on the important
tax program and that business has
won in the; senate against agriculture
in crisis when agriculture is in dcs-
perate, straits Senator Nicls Chris
tensen. chairman OF the upper house
finance committee last night handed
in mis- resignation as chairman of this
important committee. but the senate
by a unanimous vote refused to ac-
cept it.
Following urgent pleas from Sena-
tor Johnstone Of Newberry, Senate,
Watkins Of Anderson and Senator
Duncan Of Union that the resignation
not be accepted. tho upper house re-
fused to accedc to the request of Mr..
Christensen that he be allowed to re-
tire from the chairmanship and also
extended a vote OF confidence to Mr..
Christensen unanimously.
After the senate had refused to ac-
cept the resignation and had extended
the vote of confidence. Senator john
stone moved that further considera-
ton Of the matter. if there was to be
further consideration, be postponed
until today, which was agreed to. .
Senator Christensen plainly told
the senate last night that he woulC
insist upon being relieved as chair.
man, but after the upper house had
adjourned number Of senators gath
cred around the chairman and urged
him to press no longer his resigna-
tion. Senator Christensen said the
matter was final with him.
In submitting his resignation. Mr..
Christensen said:. - .... .-..-
Position in Detail
when the chairman of any leading
committee here finds the senate OBJ
posed to his views on an important
program. the situation becomes en-
harrassing. The only solution may be
ms resignation, s" that he may cxcr-
else his Judgment free from the re-
Strlctions Of a chairma nShip, and 50.
that the senate will be free to choose
& leader in accord with it's views.
Some weeks ago the senate
showed itself opposed to the con-
stitutional amendment allowing
classification Of property for purDOS.
es OF assessment. advocated this
amendment. 1t would leave the way
open for the legislature to tax notes.
bonds, stocks and other intangible
property which now escapes taxation
The socalled Marion report which |
signed, presented this amendment as
the most important tax reform meas
ure, and holds it to be fundamental
to fair distribution OF tax burdens.
LAS chairman of special legisla-
tive committee appointed last winter
to recommend relief from our intol-
cradle tax situation, have advocated
on this floor a series of revenue meas
ures" designed to relieve real estate
and other tangible property from the
support Of the state government.
This committee recommended that
the state appropriations be cut ST.
100000 and fic new tax measures: A
gasoline tax, an inheritance tax, a
luxury tax, water power tax and an
income tax, designed to raise over
s3,586.00 annually. The finance
committet has condemned the luxury
tax, the senate has defeated the water
power tax and the kind OF income tax
for which 1 stand. This is break
down Of the program of the legisla-
tive committee, Of which I was chair
man, and makes impossible the relief
we proposed for the overburdened
land holders unless the senate recon-
siders its actions. 1 wish to be in
better position to advocate this recon-
sideration.
Business In Control.
BUSINESS has won in the. senate
against agriculture in crisis when
agriculture is in desperate straits. II
am a business man and know from ex-
perience the reason business protests
against shifting the burden. But as
q ieSisiator ilalntain the interests
OF all demand this shift. We need to
even up.< 1t Isl time to ease up on
those! who. are losing each year. and
to bear heavier on those who arc
making profits, and on. those who are
spending for what are not necessities
I Do not impuEn the motives Of those
who hold that capital must have it's