Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-01-02
BOHEMIAN, MONTANA, THU URSDAY, JANUARY 2, 1879
for ihe .AvANT COURIER
..TAE ATOM

/ Various nave been the methods adopted
and forms proposed. to make the burden
of taxation less irksome: but among the
many methods none seem to meet the de
sres and wants OF the ;frople 30 well as the
direct progressive system" system
which. if strictly enforced and adhered to.
will be productive of much good. BY il
the few who are better able 10 bear The
burden of taxation VII be compelled to
contribute more largely to the support OF
! the machinery of Government. willie tie
many who are less able will be correspond
ingly relieved. Equality of taxation I'M
| derStand TO he Il system that leVies the
taxes in proportion TO the ability to pay.
"A. who las an income of 5000. his
more interest in the support OF Il protect
ing government. and more ability to APP
/ prnuriate TO its support than "B. who has
an income OF $4,000. Consequently. a
system that compei> ''B" to pay tie same
rate per $1,000 as does a" is entirely III
fair. unequal and iniq,ltous. We want
ana must have. Il system that makes the
bWden equal and not tic rate. The Pro
@ressive system is antagonized by the
moneyed interests OF Tie country, LecaHse
n lis operation ii would prevent the acctl-
mutation CT such immense fortunes as are
those we lear Of every day. Smith coliat-
ing his hoaIiings by tie millions. while
his next door negh5or has TO steal the
necessalies Of lie to keep himself and fam
lily from starving-a resul, of our present
unjust system. Fifteen years of the work
inos of the progressive system would ma-
terially diminish the number OF million
aires. while its counter effect would be Il
corresponding decrease in the pauperism
that is fast becoming the terror and curse
of the nation. \ system OF taxation that
in its operation admits of tie diiierenti;.-
ton OF the people into two extremely OPP
posite classes. mitionareS and pa,prrs.
bears upon its face the stamp Of iniluity |
and unE.irnesS. and | contend that ou !,
present system not only admits OF this |
possibility. but it Cnturces it il in Il meas
urc imrairs the usefulness OF tie money |
held by the Wealthy few; it also caused al
increase in the rates Of uSuiy; it encour- /
ages ;ndo!enuc and apathy.
Legitimate speculation would be one OF |
Il first fruits oil! the progressive system
1t would compel the investment OF capital /
i'll industrial pursuits as necessary mean
Of securing :. return Of the amount pail IL |
,dASe. ana ws~ll c!i..i:.l i put 20 soffk iii
lis own proper sphere it creates employ
t,,. 4 l.,
he lille. and the working inasses. by tli. il
ability 10 purchase tie commodities :lnl
nccessarlaS OF lite. create a market for IT,
product of the factory. mine. and farm
causing universal prosperity throughoo
the land. which cannot lie done il capital
lists lock up their EoarClinms ONLY to be
brought Out 1T an eXtravamant rate OF in
teresi. as tie borrower cannot meet hi.
obligation to the lfuier and at TIE sam,
time pay wages in proportion to the
Of labor performed aGd he VIII hc
Obliged TO reduce wages OF fail in his OBJ
legations. either OF which have an injurious
effect upon the labOrer.
The wOrkinymin being the fOun lation
Of our national fabric. ii is important that
MS interests be recognized and protected
est in our tendency to sllbvert hi, interests
o those of capital. the foundation be de-
stroyed and the entire building come tutn-
bling to the ground about onr ears. '''TheD
.laos is come again. What justice IS
here in system of taxation that will al
ow one man to have his thousands OF
!cres of land at 4 mere nominal tax. and
evya 4 heavy tax per acre upon another
vic has only about two hundred. and this
imply because the smaller farm is i'm
proved. 1. e., titled and under cultivation.
nd the larger is not. but is held for exor-
,itant prices to settlers. and yet this is
allied equality of taXation.'
Taxation without representation" was
prime motive in causing the Revolution.
nd it behooves our Lawmakers to be care
Ill lest the same thing be caused by 'un-
quail and unjust taxation"
VERITAS.