The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-08-24
The Income Tax.

1t has become evident that one Of the
first Struggles to be entered upon in the
next session Of Congress will be for the
renewal OF the income tax, as it will ex-
pire after one more assessment under the
limit imposed by the present law.
This renewal will evidently be resisted
by the advocates of heavy taxation now
imposed under the tariff, in order that
they may prevent reduction of the ex-
orbitant duties now levied, upon the plea
thatif You take away the income tax no
more can be spared.
They will thus attempt 10 reverse the
action of England in this matter. In
1912 it had become evident to English
statesmen that the protective systems so
long adhered TO was an utter failure, and
had resulted ina deficiency of the public
revenues Of over ten million dollars
IN the previous year; which deficiency
was but an indication of the general. CON
dition Of the people. Ships were rotting
at the Nharfs. manufacturers were daily
becoming bankrupt, and the agricultural
population was literally starving.
The tariG then IN. force IN England ,vas
much less absurd and iaiquitous than our
o'cn and, the average rate Of duties far
1oTeF, yet 10 it eCas rightfuHy attributed
q large patCt'the misery endured by the
people; and it was in order to, enable
Parliament to reduce or entirely abate
portion ofthe most onerous duties that
an income tax was for the first time levi
ed in timo Of peace. This act limited
the tax to three years, and the revenue
to be derived from it was intended to re-
place the expected reduction of customs
revenue, which itwas assumed would fol-
low the abatement of duties. But al,
though duties were lowered or taken off
upon over five hundred articles, the in
increased prosperity of the country was
so great as to cause a much larger con-
sumption Of the things upon which duties
were continued, and the actual reduction
i'll the amount of revenue proved to be
very small. The income tax, therefore,
covered the previous deficiency and left
a handsome surplus to accrue towards
payment of the debt
At the end of the three years, in 1S45,
In spite of 4 great struggle to the con-
trary, the income tax was renewed, in or
der to make another reduction in che
tariff possible without danger to the rev
enue; and this time the duty on over sew
en- hundred articles was either totally
abated or largely reduced. Again in.
creased prosperity was the result, ana the
customs revenue maintained itself fnearlv
70 the full amount collected prior to the
revision
From these experiments, as aoe n,ay call
them, the lesson o0ds learned that the indi
rect tdration leuiea aader protective or
eren a reUcaue tariff Is far more Injurious
than an ancOme tac. Nth all its imperfect
ions and inequalities.
Since 1915 the duties imposed under
the English tariff. have been abated, un-
til within the last year the last vestige of
protection has disappeared with the duty
OF a shilling quarter upon corn; while
the income tax, varying in rate according
to the exigency Of the times, has become
apart Of the permanent revenue system
of the British empire, which no one now
dreams OF abating entirely. 4ss
1tremains for us to apply this lesson
to our own case. Our people must de-
eide whether instead of an absolute civ,
ing up of the income tax, they will not
endeavor to renew and perfect it. That
there is fraud under it now, no one will
attempt to deny, but it is fraud which
costs the people simply the amount lost; /;
it is not like the fraud of protective
duty, which not simply fails to yield
much revenue, but costs the people ten
or twenty times the amount collected by
/ the Government. There may be inc
quality in the present income iar, but no
such inequality as that of tariff under
aohich the silks and broadcloths of the
rich arc tared but SIXTY PER CENT, sohile
the poor mans blanketis tarsd THREE HUN
DRIED. There may be injustice in the M
come tara ao,o Icuicd, but euen no,o there
isno such injustice as that O. fthe tariff achich
depriUes the poorman of food, of tacl, and
ofshelter, and doubles the cost OF fthetools ,oith
,ohich he scorks.
| Will the people submit to a repeal Of
the petty tax imposed upon incomes,
while those who now plumber the COM
munity under process of tariff laws are
permitted to continue their spoliation?
Let it rather be enacted that false
and vicious taxes be abated, and then a
moderate and well-adjusted income tax
will be cheerfully paid by those whose
gains are honestly and fairly earned.
The people should distrust the arguments
of those who not only despoil them un-
der the false pretence ofprotecting them,
but are averse to yielding even fraction
Of their spoil for the support of the Gov
ernment.-Ereaing Post.