The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-05-02
GRADUATED INCOME TAX.

GRADUATED iNcUMETAx.
Never did a measure introduced
into congress have more
substantial justice in it. Tha bill has
not yet been formulated; but the
points Of the measure, as we under
stand them, are that all net incomes
over living figure are to be taxed
The man who owns $1,000 in year
goes free. All over So, 900 and under
$4,000 pay two per cent; incomes of
$4,000 and less than 10000 pay three
per cent, and all higher incomes four
per cent.
This is just in principle, but the
graduation ought to be made heavier
1t should increase step by step up
ward.
The New York Herald, which
struts before us as an authority in
law and morals, solemnly declares
that the prospective bill is "unconsti-
tutional.' 1t strives to prejudice the
movement by saying that it is piece
OF western and southern rOguery.
Referring to the members of the COM
mlttee ON ways and means, in which
the idea originated, the Herald says:
EVERY one of the six who voted
tor the income tax are western OF
southern MEMBERS Are he! A
sectional argument is double-edged
sword, and can cut both ways. So the
less said in that direction the better.
The Herald proceeds to tell us that
1.-The movement in favor Of an in
come tax is western and southern
attempt to shift the burden OF taxa
ton upon the east
The movement simply contemplates
putting the burden Of taxation just
where 1t belongs-On the shoulders of
the rich, west, east, north and south.
me very congressman that voted for
this measure voted to tax themselves
In every age and country the pillars
Oh wealth ought to support the fabric
OF government. The higher, broader,
and stronger the pillar is, the greater
should be the weight imposed on it.
Government practically exists for
capital. We don't say now whether
this is right or whether it is wrong.
Right or wrong, it is the fact. When
labor and cal ital came into conflict,
last summer, our gOverOrS, our presi-
dent, our mayors, our police, our mil
tia, and our standing army all took
the side of capital. We're they justi-
fed in doing so! We don't care here
to open upa discussion on the sub
ject; we point to those blOod-and-iron
fact in proof of that other fact-that
government exists for capital; and we
argue from that solitary fact, if all.
other arguments were wanting, that
on the net proceeds of labor, over and.
above the means necessary for decent
living, should government look for
support.
''Took sides with capital?" That
is not the phrase. The machinery OF
government, is now run, at the abSO--
lutte service of capital. Tom Scott
alone-that one MANS equal to u
third of the law making power and
fully One-half of the executive. Har-
tranft is merely his shadow. Last
summer Scott proved that he was.
commander-in-chief Of the military
forces, state and national, overating
in Pennsylvania. He gave orders to
officers. Not suggestions but orders.
When the war was Over-when labor
was shot down and manacled--ScOtt
sent his bill to Washington. Bill for
what! Bill for carrying United
States troops over the very roads
which they were to protect III his in
terest! BY that most impudent and
audacious act Tom Scott furnished
one other proof that capital is king.
and on the face Of that proof you read.
the determination that subjugated la
Dor. throughout the nation, must con-
tinue to bear, as it all along borne, all
the burden Of government. Furnish
ed one other proof that government ex--
lists for capital, The majority of the
committee on ways and means think
it is high time to ''shift the burden"
"a propOrtionate share Of the burden
to other shoulders.
But won't the moneyed III istOcracy,
if this tax is put upon them, be able
to nullify the law by taking the equiv
aren't from labor in othe. ways! The
moneyed aristocracy are mean and
shabby enough to do that. Yet there
are some things which it might not be
prudent FOR even the mOnied aristOc-
racy to venture upon.-Irish World.