The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1870-06-15

Mr.. SARGENT ON THE INCOME TAX.

constituents for their able and persistent
efforts to rid the country of that odious
and (now) unnecessary burden upon the
people, the income tax. They, one and
all. agree that it should not only be
greatly modified but that it might be,
with entire justice to the country, abol-
ished altogether. One of the strongest
speeches which has been leveled against
Scbenck's absurd position is that deliv-
cred by Congressman Sargent, a few
days since. Following are some extracts
from that well considered effort:
Now, what does this bill propose to do :
The chairman of the Committee Of Wavs and
Means Mr.. Schenckl says that this bill will
reduce the taxes about thirty million
dolla.s. The amount of revenue derived from
the income tax, according TO the gentleman,
less bank, insurance, and other dividends. Is
about TWENTY-FIVE million dollars. By increas-
ing the exemption from 81, 900 to 1880, as
proposed BY this bill. about i've million seven
hundred and forty thousand dollars will be
taken from the revenue. Then, l y striking
out the whole of the income tax, not merely
any allowance for an increase of the business
of the country and the consequent increase
of the tax-payipg power of the country. this
bill will reduce the revenues of the country
only about ffty-txo million dollars. That
will leave a surplus ofreceipts o.er expendIt-
ures, according TO the estimate OF the Depart
men,, of over fifty two million dollars for the
sinking fund. 1 showed yesterday that one
half of that amount would pay off the debt
by means of a sinking fund In about thirty
four years.
Now, will any gentleman tell me that he
believes there are only nine thousand four
hundred and sixty four persons in the United
States with incomes exceeding the sum OF
5000. Why, sir, there is that number in |
New York city alone. Nobody can deny 1t.
Does any body believe that out of the whole |
forty million people of the United States |
there are only two hundred and seventy-two
Thousand eight hundred and forty-three who
have an income exceeding 81 ,O0v, and that
only abou, half that number have an income
not above Sl.400: These figures show that
in the collection of this tax there is conniv-
ance on the part of the Go. eminent officers
with those who make insufficient returns. and !
that we are encouraging by our legislation
saytem fruitful in fraud and perjury. Why,
certainly, if a tax of i've per cent. were col
lected On all the real gains OF the country OF
every individual whose gains exceed Sl.O00
per annum, the proceeds would in a few years
be sufficient to pay OFT the national debt
This tax is not honestly collected. MY
own State of California, with population of
six hundred and fifty thousand, pays more
income tax than the six States OF Indiana,
Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, and
Nebraska, with population of about four
millions. Ny State pays s., 900 income
tax. while Iowa, which has at least double
It's population, pays but $4,000. 1t would
seem that whole districts Systematically
evade this tax. 1t is not that the people of
my State are more wealthy and prosperous
than the States to which l have referred.
Our mining counties especially are poor and
overwhelmed with debt and local taxation. 1t
Is that the tax is >tringently collected there,
and If IL was collected closely pre- rata
elsewhere as it is there it would yield S1O,-
v0O. 900 instead Of S25 ,0o0, 900 per year. Yet
iishones. men in nv own State often evade
1t. The tax is a rule collected against the
honest man, not the wealthy man. The knave
pes il and the few who are returned as I
paying it is not evidence of the depression of ,
business, or of the fewness OF those who
have taxable incomes, but unfortunately Of
the fewness of those who have the upright
ness to honestly pay an avoidable tax Is
The fact that OF those who pay the tax {
pne hundred and seven thousand, or nearly c
one half, have but an income of 81 400, or !
sss, shows tha. it is oppressive to the poor
man, IL is not in any except very limited
.ense a rich mans tax. But have no time
o elaborate that idea. The figures show that Q
If the whole number who pay the tax hardly .
,ine thousand four hundred and sixty -four e
AN be called rich men. Hundreds of thou a
,ands of rich men must escape it. shall =
ote 20 abolish this tax utterly, to wipe it off
ne statute book. If that motion does not Z
,revail will vote for every increase of ex- a
mptions and every reduction of percentage. I
9
The figures that have given show that .
his income tax is a failure as a revenueI
Measure 1t undertakes to collect five perl
ent. on all the gains and profits Of every CT .,
izen over 81 900. II is notorious that it fails
0 do that, while it demoralizes our people
nd makes them familiar with the idea of de- q
rauding the revenue. with the morals of the o
Better forego the $4,000, 900 :
han purchase it at the price of national
And Why not forego it. What do We r.
rant of Sl02 0OO, 900 surplus per year, by the n
Autious Treasury estimate, or the $780, q
O.. 900 surplus, according to the probable o.
act: Do we want to pay the debt of in = :.
oxen years. Gentlemen say No.. What
hen : They say" We must preserve the
a,ional credit; we must show capitalists n
broad that we are able to pay the debt. p
10 not gentlemen know that our credit is
etter sustained by drawing steady revenue
,at shall pay our interest and furnish
nall sinking fund from q contented people 'e
ian BY exactin9 heavy taxes from 4 COM RI
aiming ones Foreign or any capitalists
i'll look with more distrust ON our intention