The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-11-07
WHO PAYS THE TAXES.

Our attention has recently been directed
to q speech, made some weeks since, by the
Hon. Wm., Kelley. Of Phiadelphis, which
has been extensively quoted, commented Oh
and endorsed, as the very best solution Of
the question Of, WAo pays eur tares2 In
that speech be took the broad ground that
workingmen pay no taxes, and ~ similar
assertions have been made by our stump
orators and PARTISAN press. We propose in
the present article to examine how far their
reckless assertions are borne out by o sim
pie recital Of facts.
The wealth Of the world was made by
physical and Intellectual labor; and these
elements are as necessary TO increase il as
they were to create It II each individual
was to perform just sufficient labor to furn-
ish food and clothing for himself, that
wealth would neither increase nor decrease,
and anything used beyond what was pro-
duced, would, as a matter Of course, tend to
it's reduction. These are undenisble facts,
and when carefully considered IN their re-
lstion TO the present status Of nOn-producing
capital and productive labor, will conviDcs
the most ignorant who 1t u that pays our
taxes. Physical labor 10 necessary TO pro-
duce and increase wealth. Our ministers,
lawyers, doctors, philosophers, statesmen,
etc., with gil their learning and mental e.
fort. would not add enc dollar to the wealth
Of the world. if physical labor did not bring
their ideas and schemes to fruition.
Now let M see what the position Of the
physical laborer ID to-day. Do they re-
esive fair share Of what they produce, or
do they merely rscsivs enough 10 keep body
and soul together, while the lions share Of
what they produce goes to those who produce
noshingi These questions every mechanic
can aDswer. Noo-prod0cing capital takes
the largest share. while n bsgrudgsa to labor
the small pittance Il now receives.
Wsars tod that worhingmsn, pay no tax.
e.; that they are paid BY ths wealth Of the
country. II such 10 the eass I'll the com
plants We hear Of the intelsibls basdsps
borne BY labor must Be merely clap-sip,
used by designing men 10 make labor dis
contsntsd. The question Il, however, vii
tho assertion bear investigations. Let a.
see.
The cspitalist, with 4l0O, 900, invests his.
mepsy in bonds. or other interest," paying In
ves.ments; pays no taxss on his insoms, sns
lives on the fat Of the land produces moth
ing; adds nothing to the wealth Of the a.
ton, and yet, strange % Il may seem, grows
rider every year. Uuder these circums.an-
ces, it ID certainly natural l, suppose, that
his enrichnent must b. sseaBsd ut somebo-
dy's expense; and that somebody b neither
hard to seek nor M 10 end.
"Tes." so~s mar say, 'ycur conclusions
are right I'm that respect, bstiyou here only
lold half the tsueAl The nsnufactursr, Who
invests his rnoney IN iseitimsts besissus,
md gsts . return thsrsfron. psYs the taxes.n |
3rantsd; but hewimnch does ~ pAy. Let
10 zee. MI II a. -ss#i sAs g.
A nanufActufsf insssn elOo,eoo IN busi-
.eas dsvosss NJ tine ana snsrsy v Il and
y the ceurss afls ibw yssss teubie bic in !
h ~ duisg Int In livedi
vsIl. perhaps - oilhtlt md In nsvr
painted = doIlsf, Y - - vietsAss h
'as employed, psshaps 1. husdrsd men. BY
~ INNS ahsss 1uuhlrd N inv>rfmart. L