The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-08-21
Indirect I0EtstiOn.

The Pennsylvania system of indirect
taxatjon is not without its disadvantages.
If sewers the direct relation between the
taxpavers and the government, and ena-
bIes the scale of expenditure to be increased
without recourse to a general tax levy
which comes home to the apprehension of
every property owner. Cn0er the old sys-
tenn the state called upon every man at his
own door for his quota of the government
expense. 1t now calls upon no man di-
rectly but upon all indirectly. The farmer
now pays no tax upon real estate. But he
paws his tax when he buys an article that
has been transported over a railroad, in
the increased price of his coal, his iron,
his necessary implements, when he exc
cutes a deed or makes his will, or insures
his house, or buys a glass of beer. The
! state has laid its hand upon all corporate
! and manufacturing industries and they in
! turn place the burden upon their custom
/ eIS, diffusng it in the ratio of their deal
/ iuCs The effect of this system, is not in
! anywise to tighten the burden of taxation,
! for the xpense of @ Government is increased.
D 1t operates as a financial divorce between
( the people and their agents at Ii harrisburg.
Because the pockets of the people are
picked Indirectly, they are picked with
( impunity. The people know that they
are robbed when they look at the increased
expeuditures of public money; but the
duced taxation? Do you pay any tax
upon real estate? Have we asked you
for any money? Are we not paying of
the state debt? Go your ways, for grum-
! blers and maacotents ; who can hope to
satisfy you ?'' These answers have suf
( feed to stitie inquiry. But the evils OF
the system have attained such magnitude
/ that they cannot be much longer hidden un-
der the veil of indirection. The control OF
, the state funds has become the prize OF
political ambition. The subordinate ana
inferior office of state treasurer has for
years been a more important and controll-
ing function than the state executive
| Under treasury dictation legislation has
been so manipulated that the strong box
of the state is always kept full. Last win
/ ter the Legislature sSembled shortly after
! the panic, III a season of the greatest mon
etary distress. Every dictate of sound
policy pointed to measures of relief. In
stead, the state made its liberal appropria-
tion to the centennial exhibition, which
could have been readily paid out of the re-
sources of the treasury. This was meas
ure of most doubtful eXpediency and le-
/ gality. But in order that the large treas
ury balance should be undisturbed new
taxes were levied to meet the payments OF
the centennial Appropriation. The con-
stituton provides for an annual reduction
of the state debt of not less than $3.50, 00C
rate of six per cent. i'll currency, and five
and four and one-h half per cent. in gold
The most indifferent gard for the public
interest would have dictated that in a time
of such financial distress the minimum
fixed by the constitution shOuld have been
the utmost cent eXacted fronithe people fOi
this purpose. Yet with the view of blow.
ing "a financial horn f,r election purposes
it is announced that $500, 900 have been
paid since December Last, and that $40O, o0(
more will be paid before the end of the
year. Here is nearly one million of dollars
taken from the pockets of the people n
he time of their sOreSt need in order q
build up an undcserved reputation fol
financial ability out Of the stupidest finan
cial laundering. Nothing is saved in the
way Of interest. The money is wOrtl
more to- the people from whom il is unjust
is taken than six per cent currency ol
five OF four and oue-haif per cont. gold.
Our indirect system of taxation facilI
tatcs financial operations of the kind oI
which we complain. II acts too remotely
upon mems purses aud upon the publi'
opinion tha: Is reached through men,
purses. The remedy lies in reduced tax
gtiun and in stricter legislation in rcgar,
, O. the management of the vast balances q
the state treasury which should no longc
bc the prize of COvetous men or the source
ot official corruption. But, to begin with
the people must send Legislators whom tin
treasury ring cannot buy.--NarriSJUr
I'itri0t.