Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-12-28
TO ADVERTISERS.
THE INCOME TAX,

No manifestation of the power and endurance
OF the American people, displayed in the strug-
glrto maintain our national existence, more
surprised themselves and astonisbed Europe
than the alacrity and cheerfulness with which
the loyal masses contributed their means TO
sustain their armies in the field. Having been
educated in the political faith that q full trea-
sury and standing armies Were the greatest
evils which could threaten the country, the
taxes levied were merely sufficient to pay the
current expenses Of the Government, which
were so reduced for fear Of the cry of extrav-
agsnce being raised, that economy verged on
meanness; yet when the note of danger was
sounded all such scrupulous notions were for.
gotten, and the people not only demanded of
their representatives such legislation as would
raise the revenue necessary to save the Union.
but nobly contributed thousands upon thous.
ands OF dollars TO the cause Of humanity, in
addition to the self-impesed burdens which
they bore without complaint. such q spectacle
OF self sacrificing patriotism has seldom been
witnessed.
Now, however, when the public enemy has
been subdued, when peace hiss returned. and
prosperity been restored, FAINT mutterings Of
discomfort are heard, and every particular
class and interest wishes be exempt from
taxation, while willing tina others should helm
nav the national debt. Tat the southern peo
pie should unwillingly nd in paying for the
stick with which thei own heads were
broken is perfectly natural,aHd was to be ex
pected. But strict Justice demands that they
shall bear at least their full hare OF the burden
they have impo.ed upon he people of the
whole country by the foil and rashpess OF
their insane attempt TO destry the Union We
speak not OF southern sorehtds, howe yer but
of northern grumblers- Stnge as it Is. the
sba IN
great middle class-the m Of moderate
means-but from Itch capitals One of these
writes TO a Boston paper of,e ineq uaIity or
the income tax and wants il ,ualized-how,
Why by putting the same Z on small in
comes as on large ones. Whhet carry this
equality astep further, and puhe same tax ON
the poor working woman's s2sr $500 per an.
mum, as on the millionare's $40 or Sango,
We are no communist or defter of agr,r
anism but we think tnat I'd : WORKING
mechanic who returned an inco of $40 and
wanted the Government to giytm the hi.
auee of $50 TO raise his ineonto the fuli
amount Of $500 per annurn, had q, ch Gle ref
idea Of equality. That which th'o stop cor.
respondent speaks OF might dc In "a ristocrat
Hucountries OF Europe, where th' echanic.
have to bear the who'll ~
exempt: wher. M Tue a,en arc eot stively
heavily taxed. and Injuries fres ie are
but will not do hers Ts.s, duty;
people here ara M IN, the
nave proved that they are inst, as wa ana
erous and patriotic. Equaiize the gen
all means, but let II be true equalitvs oy
Income tax can be safely reduced n, 'ne
we believe IL can. let ali incomes of Ia ana
$l,coo Be exempt, and then have an inc aah
scale of taxation on incomes over tina, sung
This, we are certain, would be approvs'
majority OF the people. Va