New-York tribune., 1876-09-29

single sentence OF the defense gives the key to Mr.
Tdcn's mental processes and moral standarls 1t ought
also 20 render his election impossible and his continued
candidacy absurd The statute gave the taxpayer tho
opton TO take that course" With his general intelligence
and legal knowledge, Mr.. Tiden, when lie wrote OF
authorised that statement, knew perfectly wei you can
pardon plain speech that, in desperate strait no was
employing an untruth to justify his violation OF a"
Not one reputable member OF Mr. Tldons profession can
be induced 10 say that the income law, above quoted
gave or permitted in the romotost degree alluded TO-
an option" the part OF taxpayers as to making or
refusing TO make yearly sworn return OF income 10
make such made the imperative duty OF every
citizen liable TO tax without one exception anu refusal
or wlful neglect to make IT was punished with peh-
atty which was supposed 20 be adequate to suppress or
nrcyent tho oiense except among common rascas not
likely 10 have considerable Incomes Iho law gave Mr'
Tillen precisely the same sort OF option To- MAKE
false or fran uent return. and attached TO this "opon
penalty similar In kind but greater In degree; IN case
the Governors return OF 1867 proves IN ths crucl
HE of the courts have been spurious VIII no also
plead an "opton' as defense against tho charge OF
Tns difficulties envIroning honest man who desired
TO make "A fair return Of income under tue Law were not
what MIR TIldcn paints them He had only To set down
the items about which there waN no question ami reier
doubtful points WITH FRANK statement OF iacts TO anS
department ruling Against au unjust ruling every
citizen had his remedy In tho courts several mIoa
plain people readily performed DUTY when to aU,ySs
TO attempt. The industry and legal acunen which were
equal 70 the task OF me anSle Seo ,uid
Fort Wayne Companys myriad mOlukases. f,Iii suoIu
have enabled their possessor 10 ehum.rate lntcnl-
g1bly his annual gains. IOufIcI u'AhOs P,H
alty" when the word occurs IN statute. as = tne
punishment inflicted by law for ts violation, ana Mr.
ridden the lawyer In that tho word has no other
statutory meaning. To make tho argument 0i an - Op
ton more conclusiycy impossible, thc United states
Circuit Court ia RIOde Island has within no last three
DAYS decided United states aganst RowiandG HaZlrgl
that TAXPAYER who refused To make reLurn under he
income act and pald his assessed TAX Win penalty
added not discharged his legal ObigatOn 20 nor
closed his account with the Governments but Is bound
I'm law 10 mako his total payment equal 20 the legal TAX
on s actual taxable income, whenever the Government
can procure proof OF what that actual Income Was IN
other words no shall successfully plead his OWN
yplaon OF law rs "A bar 10 the collection OF what he
owes tho Government. Where does ths decision leave
MIR TildeE's "option I"
Mr. Tden's sns ale thus far his own. Is 1t your pur-
pose Mr Hewitt to make them the sins OF the party by
asEing Democratic editors aud orators IN tho campaign
YOU are directing to attempt defense aud Justification
ol what yOu know cannot be dciendedi What dO yUn
think OF tho moral effect young men Of the cOun-
try OF thousand newspapers aud AS many speakers III
reform canvass" loudly approving the deliberate NlO-
atop OF law, under circumstances OF virtual fraud by
presidential candidate. Several recently pfOinl-
neuL Americans for merely accepting the option Of
moi correct exhibits Of certain dsting opera
tons are now behind prison CRATES Mr Iilden u as
likely 10 escape this law OF political aud social retDn-
lion and become President 81 self-specuug natlOi as
e Is Ia eyade the rip OF grayatOn This Is as good
fme as eau ever occur the American people 10 tcac
American politicians OF a parties that he VINO asprcs 10
the highest post In this Republic must carry tue WHO
shield OF II nonesf life. sincerely yours,
No 225 South soyenthst, PHILADELPHIA sept 3' 1875
Tho Hon. Abram s. Hewitt, NeW-hOfA