The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-04-06
GrOwler's Income Tax.
BY T. 8 ARTHUR.

My neighbor Growler, an excitable man
by the way, is particularly excited over the
Income Tax. or as he calls it. War Tax ,
He had never liked the war thought it un.
necessary and wicked the work of politi
clans. The fighting of brother against
brother was terrible thing IN his eyes. IF
you ask HIM who began the war? who struck
at the nations life ? if self defence were not
a duty ? he would reply with vague general
tiles, made up of partizan tricky sentences,
which he had learned without comprehend
ing their just significance. z ~.
Growlei clme in upon me the other day,
fiourishing square piece Of blue writing
paper, quite moved from his equanimity.
"There it isl Just so much robbery
Stand and deliver is the word Pistols and
bayonets Your money or your life."
Philadelphia, Sept. 1864.
RICHARD GRowLER, ESQ.
J To JOHN M. Riley, DR..
Collector of internal Revenue for the 4th
District OF Pennsylvania. Office 427
Chestnut street ..
For Tax on Income for the year 1863, as
per return made to the Assessor of the
District, $40 q. ,. ...--..a ... ..
Reed payment,
JoHN NJ RILEY, Collector.
"You're all right" I said, smiling.
"Td like to know what you mean by all
rightp' Growler was just little offended
at my way Of treating this serious matter
serious in his eyes, mean. I've been rob
bed Of forty three dollars and twenty one
cents" he continued, "do you say that it is
all right? A minion Of the government has
put his hand into my pocket and taken jnst
so much Of my property, Is that right?"
"The same thing may be set forth in verv
different language" replied let me state
the case." - ev.nrs
Very well-state il 7 said Growler
dumping himself into chair, and looking
as i'll hnmored as possible.
| Instead of being robbed said I, you
have been protected in your property and
person. and guaranteed all the bigh pr,vi
leges Of citizenship, for the paltrv sum oi
forty three dollars and twenty one cents, as
\ your share Of the cost of protection
'Oh, that's only your way of putting the
case.' returned Growler, dropping a little
from his high tone of Indignation. aa
Let me be more particular in nv way nj
putting the case. Your income is from N.
rent Of propertyT @ ass
| Yes q .f.ss=..-v .-.t.,-.. ....
'What would II have cost you to defend
that property from the army Of Gen. Lee
driven from your State by the nations sol
diers r .esfefs.. ~y.er ts.t n.s
Cost me.?' Grow'er looked at me in q
kind Of maze, as If he thoupht me half in
Jest 5 a3 a e7
Exactly! What would 1t have cost you!
Lee. if nnopposed. would certainly have
reached this city and held il. and if you,
property had been Of use to him. or to any
oi his officers or soldiers. il would have been
appropria'ed without so much as saying, by
your leave, sir? Would forty three dollars
and twenty -one cents have covered the dam
aees Perhaps not. Possibly You might
have lost one half OF two-thirds of all you
are WORTH -
Growler was a triAc bewildered at this
way Of putting the case He looked puzzled
You have q store on South wharyes
said I. . -rss
YES ..-... g.
'What has kept the Alabama or the Fler.
ida from running up he Delaware and hurn-
ing the whole city front ? Do yon have
forts and ships of war for the protection Of
your property. Ifnot. what is your share
Of the expense Tor whole yeari' Just for
ty-three dollars and twenty-one cents. II
sounds like jestr 81.
I Growler lid NOT answer; so I kept on.
But for our immense armies in the Geld
and . navy on :he water. this rebellion
wculd have succeeded. What then ? Have
you ever pondered the future Of this conn.
try 10 such sn svsots Have yeu ,houghs ol
.si.t - 49,