The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-10


OF all the powers conferred upon gov
ernment that OF taxation is most liable to
abuse. Given a purpose or object for
which taxation may be lawfully used,
and the extent OF its exercise is in its
very nature unlimited. 1t is true that
express limitation on the amount of tax
to he levied or the things to be taxed may
be imposed by constitution or statute. but
In most instances for which taxes are
levied, as the support of government, the
prosecution of war, the national defense,
any Limitation is unsafe. The entire re-
sources of the people should in some in
stances be at the disposal OF the govern
ment.
The power to tax is, therefore, the
strongest, the most pervading OF all the
powers of government, reaching directly
or indirectly to all classes of the people.
1t was said by Chief Justice Marshall, in
the case of McCulloch vs.. the state of
Maryland, that the power to tax is the
power TO destroy.
"To lay with one hand the power of
the government on the property of the
citizen, and with the other to bestow il
upon favored individuals to aid private
enterprises and build up private fortunes,
is none the less a robbery because il is
done under the forms of law and Is called
taxation. This is not leg islatIon. 1t is "a
decree under legislative forms. loan
Association vs.. Topeka, 20 Wallace's Re-
ports, page 622.
Mr.. President, standing now as we do
upon the threshold of discussion that
must almost necessarily last for IA long
time. have no idea that those who have
gained, as historically have shown how
they gained, these excessive powers
through the forms of tariff legislation in
favor of class and individual interests,
will loosen their hold willingly or quick
" 10 the
severe and excited struggle of public
opinion upon this subject. I have been
anxious to-day, not so much to produce
statistics, not so much to bring mere
figures which may be questioned In this
vast problem which we are discussing,
but to plant myself upon doe
trine and principle that be-
lieve is fundamental. and that is, that
you are not to pervert public power
merely to promote private interest.
The constitution of the United States,
the constitution of every state in the
Union, / believe of every civilized state,
written or unwritten, provides that pri.
vate property may be taken for public
use upon just compensation being rem
dered therefor; bnt where was the con-
verse of that principle ever admitted
that public property can be taken for pri-
vate use! There is the heresy, there Is
the danger. Into that l do not say GRIM
inally, do not say unpatriotically, but
naturally and seltishly, ! believe a favor
ed class in this country have entered, so
that to-day an unequal distribution Of the
burdens of taxation rests upon the Amer
lean people. They have been unjust as
between ourselves, and they are danger
Gus and deleteriOus even to those in
whose behalf they have been laid. They
are imposing to-day a strain upon our So
cial and political fabric which should not
be continued.
would be glad to-day to 20 heart and
hand with those of my fellow citizens
who have a share in these undue privi-
leges.in ordeTthat they should themselves,
by takirg part in the reform which L am
satisfied ought to come and is to come,
prevent 1t from being violent or extreme.
am not in favor ofineonsiderate and has
ty change I; L am not in favor of abrupt or
violent disturbance of established BUSH
ness, of tearing down and destroying pro-
perty and right of property which have
been invested under the faith of existing
law but we must now take up this ques-
ton in spirit ofjustice. This vast coun-
try of ours Is now opened for the first
time to the full comprehension of its peo-
pie, because it is at last at peace, each
with all. There is not corner Of the
Union to which the telegraph and the
postoffice do not carry the message |
everywhere our people can come
together. They can now as they |
never could before understand each |
other, and their various needs and capaci,
ties. They can see how far science and
discovery have changed the relations OF
production. All this can be done. We
should go into high council on this sub
ject. and endeavor, when we are exer-
cising this sovereign power of great |
people, the power to tax, to tax in discre-
ffon. and take heed that 1t is done
Strictly and solely for the purposes and
obiects for which that power was dele
gated TO congress under the federal con-
stitution.