The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-09-10

/ tnelr uenauuS.
Our purpose, however, in this article
is not so much to revert to these gener-
al facts as to recall to the recollection
of our readers in this city and State a
single example of Democratic affection
for Iaboring men. 1t was about the
last tribute paid our working men by
the Democratic party of Virginia be-
fore involving them in war.
The Democratic legislature of Vir-
ginia in the session of 1s59-6O, levied
among other taxes the following:
"s. On the income or fees received
during The year ending The first day Of
February Of each year, in consideration
Of the discharge Of any Office or employ
nle1lt in the service of the State, or in
consideration of the discharge of any
Office or employment IN the service of
any corporation, or in the service ofany
company, firm o.. person, except where
the service Is that of a minister OF the
gospel, one-half OF one per centum If
the same be not more than $3.50; one per
centum II the same be more than $3.50
and not more than $500; one and a-half
per centum If the game be more than
$500 and not more than 81 900; and two
per centum If the same be over 81 ,OOO."
Chap. Acts Of. Assembly 1880.
Here Is the levy of an income tax in
time OF profound peace-an extraor-
binary tax, jusufable only, and
only resorted to by governments, in
times of great extremity. And COM
pare it with the existing Federal in
come tax, about which SO many Demo-
Gratis who pay mono of 1t howl so lusti-
ly. The Democratic party, as the
authors of the rebellion and therefore
OF the necessity which compelled its
levy, are responsible for the existence OF
the present income tax las for all other
extraordinary Government taxes;) but
the Republican Congress in adjusting
1t provided, with wise and generous
regard for the poor man whose labor is
one of the original sources of national
wealth, thar no part of this tax should
fall upon any man who can be consid-
cred poor and who supports himself
and his family by the labor of his
hands. First It exempts thousand
dollars OF income. How many labor
ing men in ordinary employments re-
ceive more than that2 Then 1t exempts
the rent of homestead, all money paid
for taxes &c. Indeed 1t does not touch
any one who is not a capitalist or does
not receive very Iemunerative wages.
And In all Instances 1t exempts sum
sufficient for the ordinary living ex-
penses of the poor man and his family.
On the other hand, this Democratic
tax, levied in time of profound peace,
and without the shadow of justification,
exempted not ono dollar OF the
poor mans wages. 1t taxed him TO the
uttermost farthing. IfhIs earningswere
only sufficient TO buy bread and butter
for his family, the Democratic admins
tration of Virginia demanded its pro-
portion. 1.-The earned only $3.50 a year, he
paid 81, 25, or s.. so If he earned a dollar
more. If he earned $500 in a year he
paid IS. Ifhe earned $50I he paid $3.50;
and If he was so fortunate as to earn
81, 600, he paid to the State OF Virginia
Sl5., If he earned 81, OOl, his income tax
WAS $50. b,5f .s.. y 81.
But, says the reader, this was not a
very large tax. The Federal income
tax is five per cent. while this is but 2.
Very true, butthe Federal tax is only on
sums above the exemptions; wherefore
1t does not touch the poor man at all,
while every dollar of this deprived him
and his family OF dollars worth OF
the necessities oflife. Moreover II our
readers who labor for. days wages or
for monthly or yearly salaries. will
compare their present taxes with what
they would be on their labor alone
under This Democratic law, nine-tenths
of them will find that the tax under the
4 latter would be equal to. all iheir'pres-
ent taxes together.
But it was not so much the amount
OF this Democratic income tax as the
principle of 1t that made 1t odIous. AS
q matter OF fact, If we remember cor
rectly, 1t was so odious that in the linn
tied time that elapsed after its promul-
cation and before the breaking out OF
the rebellion, 1t was not enforced. Our
city readers will remember what I'M
tense indignation It created here among
the workingmen of this city, who re-
garded It (and had a right to regard IL
as blow struck specially at them. 1t
was then charged, and we believe justly,
that this enactment was part of a general
system of taxation Intended, ifpossibIe,
to drive free labor wholly out of the
State. The city of Wheeling, with her
great manufactories, employing thou.
; sands of free, intelligent worlipEmen,
was peculiarly an object for the hatred
and jealousy of, Democratic .pro-slave-
) ~ Old Virginia, which was ridden by n
| labor:d espising atfstoeraey. that would
> have suffered nartyrdom rather than
> soil or harden their hands with honest
a work; whose grand political aspiration
was 10 make Virginia one great slave
plantation from the Chesapeake to the