New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-18
-AnIrsrMENr OF TAXATION.
Edilor Of The Tribune.

the EdlOF OF Inc JTlOhhts
SIR: As you encourage the discussion of sub
ecs OF grave Importance to national government in
your columns the following may not be out Of place In
these times OF Wild overriding speculation aud aggres
sIye accumulation.
Tho fundamental object OF all legislation Is TO adjust
Inequalities IN the hysca condition Of the people repre-
secuted Taxation IL resorled to TO raise the means by
which Just. equitable laws may DO executed. Taxation
should be equal effect but It Is mistake to consider
the effect equal IN lcvyiug Of equal figures
upon possessions Of vastly unequal proportions small
deduction from moderate means Is onerOus burdens
nm equal proportion from large fortunes hardly npprec
nblc THIS present equal figure system OF taxation Is
precisely such favors tho making Of some very
rich aud mulltudcs OF very poor men, In which the lat
ter class bear the burden OF the expense for the proec
ton OF the rights OF person aud properiy-tho latter
represented by n comparatively few In place OF the
rate Of taxation diminishing rs Is now the case with an
Increase of the property m the hands Of individual
tue rate OF taxation should increase Win the
amount ot such property To DE equllholo hlu Ju7'i
EXEMPT between 5000 To $4,000 subject 10 tax OF per
cent the rites 90 increase 10 OF per cent WIN every
rise Of $4,000 n the value represented then $1,000 would
nay IA per cent 100000 pay l0s per cent but SloOOO
s liable 10 2Ot per eeut 10 Il not desirable that larger
nrnerfy sLnid be held by individuals; SIN the proposed
80 ~ direct prohibition, To acquire
property beyond "a certain amouut-NOuid make az nc
rurulaiiou iuutuns the welfare Of The mass OF the
ne,,ulc uupront able but the enjoyment OF immense
wealth shonld properly be insrnblc from the pride ana
responsibility to correspondugly support the Govern
meit 10 protect this enormous propcr Va sensation hot
sufficiently enjoyed at present 10y such lnuiyiuuAs tn
e accustomed 10 leave this support TO small properly
holders whose honest earnings accumulate IN the hoards
Of the rich. , - ,t,.. l., .,,o,
All human beings nre entitled TO some equality In slar
ing the enioymcnts well as the priyatons oi ne JUS
tico demands that We encourage the FORMER hu nleio
rate the latter 10 any practicable extent The above pro
si,t", -, for,,, N atom i'm this direction. X. II.
Reu- York. Dee 6, 1869.
mo. Sir! They are mischievous and every
way absurd. They ignore facts and counte-
nance decisions 1t is no more the proper
business of Government to equalize the for
tunes of men than to reduce them to n common
hight or weight. And we object to all attempts
TO shield the poorer majority from Their ialr
share of the cost of Government that they
tend to relieve them from all sense of respon-
sbity for the preservation OF the public
wel-being. They will be melted TO favor
kinds if it be settled that while they have q
good chance in the dstribu ton of "the spOlls,"
others must pay most OF the taxes. mat Is
lust what now curses our City with prodlgal,
corrupt rule. No. sir We are against your
scheme altogetheT.-Ed.1