Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-05-11
What II Costs 70 be Rich.


Mr.. EDIroR-Dsqr Sir:-You may
smile at the idea which nv topic suggests.
did, myself But the more | Pondered
upon the subject the more was impressed
with the importance Of its consideration.
And the terrible " price the one possess
ing great riches often has TO pay! Yes, and
they pay out class of goods that gold and
silver will not and cannot buy And it
was the effect, in certain circles, which
this odious law for equalizing taxation had
created, that confirmed me in this momen.
tous fact!
However much the talents of our late
legislature may be traduced and ignored,
it is true, nevertheless, that they succeeded
in passing one law" which, if We may
Judge from the extraordinary excitement
it has created in various localities. has hit
in measure the intended markl And
although it nay not be perfect, it leans 10
the right direction, as the active squIrm-
ing and intense bowling of those who
have heretofore escaped fair taxation
abundantly testify.
1t is to be admitted that to solve the
problem of "equal taxttion is one Of
the most difficult questions which the
government has to deal with. But that it
is fair and honorable that all and eve Y
man should bear proportionstely their
share of the burdens of government is
most clear and undisputed among men 4;
and that we must have a government is
self-evident from each one experience
And no man can be. for moment, sup
posed Indifferent to the government. Now
why ali this opposition? Why all this
tuning against this law? What evil is
intended by the operation of this legisla-
tive enactment Who is going to be
harmed BY il? Nob,ly, There is no
evil intended. Only justice and equality
is to be melted out to all as near as it is
possible.
Alb, here comes the rub! " He i15or
est This TACT solves the question Of OPP
position. The wealthy are here being
unmasked! They cannot act As they have
previously. Another an more difficult
dodge is to be effected In a word, they
are moi willing to pay equally with Their
poor neighbor. They never have and they
never mean to! Is not this verv sad and
humiliating fact for our very res pee able
and wealthy neignbors. who are robbng
and stealing from the poor every day
This is plain talk, out il is true. neverthe.
less,
Taxes have TO he paid, As IL certain
amount has to be raised, and somebody
has TO pay them. Now if my wealthy
neighbor does not pay all of his Lawful
and rightful amount, does not the pool
man have to pay greater per cent Il
make it up9 Most assuredly. What is
this but stealing? Aye, it is worse thar
stealing; it is dishonest stealing, and de-
serves double condemnation Oh. Mr.
Editor. | am most profoundly astonished
AT this spectacle. 1t is wonderful, Til
Ipiliful' It's wondrou. pitiful, | almost
wish that | had not known it. Yet, dc
our wealthy people realize the import o.
these facts? Do they expect to escape tn,
public gaze and easily outride the storm
lot general imprecations9 Yet many seem
to think, but not all, am happy to know
that they will be honored by this bold and
confident way of refusing to make out al
honest list Of their possessions Why all
this madness9 Are they assaileI by
usurpers or an outlaw? Oh. no. indeed
1t is only the honored government sending
out her regular officers to adjust an oqua
and honest tax upon her honored subjects
to raise a revenue for the support Of gov
eminent. Is anything more requested o
the rich than the poor? Do they have tC
pay larger per cent on each dollar they
possess than the poor man? No; nothing
Of the kind. All is fair and honorable.
Now if this is all true, will an honest
uprightand good ,itizen oppose and under
take to defeat the majesty Of the law
think not Are not The wealthy interested
IN good government Do they not neec
The protection of the law in proportion tC
heir possessions? Most nssuredlv. i j
then the baleful influence of great richie,
that causes men to step down and out O
msnhood's domain to accomplish suct
vile and dishonest deeds.
Does it then cost so much to be rich
Must they lose their own soul and fprfei
the right to be respected by honorab.,
men? | can now see the force of tina
passage Of Scripture, viz; That a rict
man shall hardly enter into the kingdom
Of Observation-Disclosures 1928.
"JOyF"