The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-09-20
WIZ. TILDEN's INCOME TAN.
\ Retaliation Of Charges Against
him by "a N0n-Parti-nn journal.

N. York Financial Chronicle.l
But our main design in referring to
this subject was to speak of Gov. Tilden's
income tax for 1862, which in some quar-
tiers has become a very interesting and
momcntous subject. We all necessarily
feel a pride in Gov. Tilden's reputation.
No man has stood higher, and deserved.
" so. Were we not in the midst Of an
unusual political excitement, such u
charge could not be repeated without be-
ing Indignantly repealed by every man of
character in our midst. Yet now we see
the SANDER assumed rs proved, by
speakers everywhere, although the facts
show that there never wasa more base.
less charge made.
Whatare the facts? II seems that in Dec
cmber, 1862, Gov. Tilden, like all the
rest Of US, made a return which showed that
he received in 1862, subject to taxation un-
der the law, a little over $1,000. In a
suit now pending on behalf Of the st.
Louis, Alton Il Terre Haute Railroad,
the Governor swore that he received in
1862 $50, 600 f0r services which were
Commenced prior to the year 1859, and
rendered from time time during a period
Of three years" These are the simple
facts, and the whole Of them, and on
them the charge is made Of perjury, as
Stunning or jumping over entirely the
one futher premise necessary for a eonclu-
sion-and that is, whether, under the
law, the 500, 600 received from the rail
road should be included in the return.
assuming, we say, that this $50, 900
should be included, while the instructions
oflnternal Revenue Commissioner Lewis,
issued at that time, state clearly and
positively that it should not be included.
For the benefit of those who may have
forgotten these instructions, we insert
the following extract taken from them,
as published in our Hunts Merchants
Magazine for August, 1868, page 189;
"a merchants return o income should
cover the business Of the year 1862, err
Guiding precious years. Uncollected ac-
counts must be estimated. Physicians
and lawyers should include actual receipts
for services rendered ip 1852, together
with an estimate on unrealized or con-
tiugent income due to that year."
Here We have it positively stated that
the "actual receipts for services rendered
in 1862 excluding previous years"
with an estimate of unsolicited accounts
or "unrealized income" fromthe business
or services Of 1862, are the items to be
included. This same idea was enforced
in the commissioner subsequent instruc-
lions of that year., and more infinitely to
revenue collectors. In fact the commits
%sioner's made this so clear that no one
had a doubt rs TO the meaning so all of
rs. ia preparing our returns Of income
from our business. included what We had
earned, and not what We had collected IN
1862; and if Gov. Tildeu peDured him
eelf in making his return in that way,
every honest man in the country did the
ma Our city newspapers concurred in
in this view. as may be seen from their re-
marks published ct that time in further
explanation Of what the commissioner
said.
Now turning to this $40. 600 item, We
find the answer states that Is was ~s-cciv.
ed in 1862, but for services Whica were
commenced prior to the year 1859. and
were rendered from time to time during
a period of three years" In other words,
according to this statement, no portion
q fthe amount was earned in 1862, bul
all oft during the three years 1859,
1860, and 1881. Could anything b.
clearer, therefore. than that the amount
in question was not to be included? And
vet we find some Of our best newspaper
and speakers concluding upon these facts.
aad boldly stating that Gov. Tilden il
gully Of perjury
How many men Of established reputa
ton are there in our midst who would to
day be wiling to submit themselves a
candidates before lbe people, if publ
opinion Is to pas by without protest sncl
base, reckless charges. This a question
not Of party success, but Of national inter
est-nOt Of votes, but Of morals.