The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-05-23
ONLY


Oflate the word only has been forced into
special prominence by Republican organs, the
subsidized tools OF monopolists. Occasionally
aDemocratic newspaper Joins in the clamor
against the word when it is used in connec-
ton with tariff taxation. Wherever a
monopoly is found, large or small, infant or
adult, there will be found in its aeighbor-
hood a set Of men seeking by such means as
they can command 70 make it appear that
only is an exceedingly vicious word and
ought, in all matters relating TO tariff
taxation, TO be expunged. Under the Con-
stitution of the United States Congress has
the power "to levy and collect taxes, duties,
imports and excuses, to pay the debts and
provide for the common defense and general
welfare of the United States" In matters
relating to taxation, tariff, or any other de-
scripton of taxation, Cong1 esS has power to
do only such things as the Constitution grants
1t has power to lew certain taxes for the
benefit OF the Government, and only for the
benefit of the Government. Congress has no
right to levy taxes for the benefit of individ-
uals or corporations. 1t has no right to tax
A 10 assist b in establishing or in carrying
forward his enterprises. 1t has no right to
tax one class of citizens that another
class shall grow rich aud flourish.
Congress has the right under the Constitu-
ton, to levy tariff tax for the benefit of the
Government oalg, for such purposes snlg as
the Constitution specifies. There is great
hue and cry about levying tariff tax
"for revenue only" That is to say, tax to
be solely, simply for revenue and not for the
purpose of advancing the wealth OF indi-
viduals or corporations-snly the Govern.
ment is to be considered. The Constitu ton
is either right or wrong If wrong il should
be amended, If right Its provisions should
not be violated. There has been no little
talk about the \, B, c of tariff tax
alton. But general PROPOSE
tioD, those who have put them
selves forward as teachers of rudimental
lessons have introduced problems productive
of confusion rather than clear conceptions of
the subject. The people are willing to be
taxed for the support of the Government,
but they are not willing TO be taxed for the
support of individual or corporate monopo-
lists, and the moment they discover the cheat
that has been practIced upon them they will
assert their independence and overwhelm
the advocates of taxation for the support of
monopolies. in disaster. A workingman
finds himsels at the end of the week with,
say SO in his pocket-his wages for week of
toil-and his necessities are sHch that he must
expend the entire sum. He must have
sugar, rice, salt, cotton goods, etc.
He finds them taxed at from so to 100 per
cent.-put it at the lowest, an average of so
per cent; that is to say, dollars worth of
sugar costs him $l.50, and so on through the
list. He naturally asks himself: Is
this taxation for the benefit of the Gov
ernment2 The true answer is no. How
much Of it is for the benefit of the Govern
ment? Not more than 10 per cent What
becomes of the remainder-i0 per cent? 1t
goes directly into the hands of monopolists.
1t goes to build up the colossal fortunes Of
which we read so much. It goes to create q
moneyed aristocracy-an over shadowlng
curse, the fruitful parent Of strikes, of in
dnstrial connection and unrest, every