New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-06
BRIGHAM YOUNG AND THE INTERNAL
RRVENUE


RETURNED BY BRIGHAM-THE INCOME As
II IS.
An attempt has recently been made in Salt
Lake City by Dr. Taggart the new Assessor OF Internal
Revenue 10 upon the Income OF the Mormon
Church. which known to amount to large annually
In this effort lie has met with the most determined anu
persistent opposition from Brigham and his subordnates
Singular as II may seem the wealthy Church Of Jesus
Christ OF Latter Day Saints" has never yet paid the
Government tax upon It's income. The former Assessor
ChetIaine, was known by the "gencs" OF Salt Lake
City to be the mere tool OF Brigham Young.
He accompanied Brigham upon his royal progress
through the Territory and upon one OCCASION weh at
tending an evening meeting Of the Mormons, accepted
invitation TO a seat upon the PLATFORM with the pishop
and his two counselors, known volators OF the anti
Polygamy law When, however, no Is removed and
like Dr. Taggar steps into his position, determined
to discharge the duties OF his Office without fear or FAVOR
the Mormons salute him with howls of rage and threats
Of persecution.
The first act OF Assessor Taggart upon assuming office
was to assess the upon the total amount
OF scrip issued by the Corporation OF Salt Lake CITY
$4,000. The Treasurer OF the Corporation had
made his returns regularly to the. former Asses
each month, with the tax calculated at one-tweth
of one per upon tho circulation, as required OF
bankers and Gen. Cheane accepted them rs proper ana
correct Section OF the Internal Revenue Act OF March
g. 1865 requires the Of 10 per cent upon the
issue Of corporations Of cities, &C., the act not recog
MIXING those bodies as legitimate bankers The tax upon
$4,000 at 10 per cent $1,000; the tax upon $4,000 at
la Of per cent is sl5s 49, leaving the sum Of ssA 81
OF which the Government would be derauded did not the
present Assessor payment The upon
this issue OF $4,000 really part OF the revenues OF
the Mormon Church. the members Of the corporation OF
Salt Lake City being nominated by Brigham, ana ther
election being secured by him under the present Anti
Republican form OF voting IN Utah. In the early part OF
last August Dr. Taggart forwarded to Brigham Y6unga
girnara Inc m
Of the Church. to make proper return Of its income
for 1863 Brigham became greatly incensed at
this, and at first fatty refused to comply
but sent in reply the following document: We the
Government OF the United SaeS dS no. a @
Day Saints or any such officer as the M Oh
have obterated such church and officer from existence
by Legislative enactment OF July l. 1851 NO sigma
ture appended to this The meaning intended 10 De
conveyed was doubtless this: That the antiPolygamy
Act was theoretically intended 10 wipe the Irusteem
Trust and Church OF Jesus Christ OF Latter Day sans
out OF existence although practically 1t had failed In It's
object and therefore the Government could not assess
and collect tax upon the Income OF that eclesascal
corporation This communication from Brigham was
treated with the contempt which II Rose
that IL proper and correct returns were not
made within the time S ~ o a@ the S bet
ton which he could obtain aud should also hand tho
affair the United States District Attorney Upon
the last day allowed by the law, Brigham made return
stating the total income OF the Churcn Tor 1903 20 be m
The return was signed by Brigham Young in his private
capacity The blank oath filled up and puTpOrted
10 have been sworn TO before the Deputy Assessor,
Mormon though he had been In the habit Of having his
private income to by Of his clerks,
who he said, knew more about It than he did himself
The papers were Immediately turned over to the w. B.
District Attorney. who prepared an elaborate opinion
demonstrating that the Mormon Church corporation Was
s much liable 20 have its income taxed as Trinity
other church corporation subject OF course 10 inc
legal exemptions The various sources Of revenue OF the
Mormon Church we're also clearly and succincty given.
The papers then forwarded o'the Commissioner at
Washington to await his 9PniSn and 9sTaStons ana
lion has dealt extensively In the buying ana selling OF
horses and cattle For this business has been car
OF them as cattle brokers until the informed
them Of his Intention 10 prosecute II they were not I'M
medatey obtained The authorities own and run dis
tcry and Wholesale and retail liquor store, which arc
carried ostensbly I'm the Of the Corporation OF
salt Lake CITY but really are part Of the ChuTch ana the
this distlery the Government has been deirauded OF
Thousands Of dollars which should have been paid In tho
shape OF 81 upon gallon OF whisky manufactured
IN lie Income returns that the payment it Is yolun-
tary and optional and therefore, Is merely gift and not
taxable Unfortunately however for Brigham tho facts
do NOT bear out his assertion few months past la
boring man obtained work tho grade Of the Utah Cen
trial Railroad. being built by brigham, After earn
Ing $50 he concluded TO leave WORK. ana acGordingy
irving IN Salt Lake City he hastoned TO
Brigham's Office TO obtain his money.
and found that the man owed sls tIhlng for 1903 That
accordingly deducted and the balance, 81
tatOns that his family actually In need OF the
money TO purchase food. Non.payment OF uthinR 10
tons which tho resources OF the Mormon Church enable
it to employ The Mormons estimate the total Popula.
Of Utah ut 10000 souls. These figures include only
the MOrmOns OF this number least 10000 required
by the rules Of the Church, and undoubtedly do pay
estimate. we have s5OOoCo as the aggregate THIS Of
course is not In money exclusively, but in produce Tho
Ing Mormon merchants pay thng OF l0o0Ceachayear
The income from tho whisky distley and liquor store
cannot fan short Of $4,000 the rents and profits OF real
estate about $4,000 more, besides other sources OF
revenue not TO DO ascertained.