Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-01-12
The New License Law.

To the Editor of TIE EVENING STAR.
The new license law, as proposed by our
worthy Commissioners for the approval Of Con-
gress. is of great interest to our citizens. and
from the expressions Of many Of our business
men, published in your valuable paper it looks
n II the general desire to be rid of the ''oppres-
sive and odious personal tax system has blinded
them and they cannot see the Oppressive and
odous" features of the proposed license law
In the early days Of our republic the policy
has been to license only such business as re-
quiTed the surveillance or protection OF the po-
lice or fire department upon the principle that
every citizen should be allowed and encouraged
to earn an honest living without paving for the
privilege This principle was recognized by the
loLItni>>iCnfT> III their last report to Congress-
The law proposed taxes and requires license
from almost every Kind of business except law
YES. cierCymen. doctors, dentists newspaper
publishers. claill agents, BARRIERS, neWaboys and
Dosttiacks.
Can you. Nr Editor. inform me uron what
ltihrite oi JUS cc or equity poor widow. strus-
Gda- 10 support herself and crpi an children by
hc"!.E-s d small grocery or pin and needle shop
s.cii!t Hr taxed. and the newspaper publishers
a'.o"'-a 10 BOONE mililonaires without taxa
tn on their tusiHess2
or shy the poor man who owns horse and
wagon, and has a few dollars capital should not
D. allowed 20 earn an honest living b. selling
without taxation. while tie Clergyman eniovs
IL earnings free Of taxation:
90. Why every person whose business is to
t'iS- sell or rent houses, stores or other build
H.. or real e>t,te. or to collect rent fer others
Sa"G-! .ay 80 ANNUALLY while MANY LAWYERS do
q" SAM business tJr their clients without nav
inG EcHnSes
Cr WY keepers OF Turkish Russian. Turko
Lu-~'ti. aud ot Ter medicinal or hys;eEic baths
saoJ..i pay - annually. white physicians enjoy
Z sE4- AZ .Ess. fs.r
free Of taxation:
The above are a few of the inconsistencies con-
faiH"d I'D the new license law. and demonstrate
tie alacy Of extending the Iirt.uSe system be-
Yond liquor dealers, theatcrs hotels. pawn
bIo%erS. junk shops. etc. which require the
surveillance and protection of the police. and
TIE ire insurance companies whose dividends
depend upon the efficiency Of the fire depart
nent.
The 5lst section of the proposed law provides
IF tie returns required BIZ law are not made.
o. are m the opinion Of the assessor underesti-
mated. he may examine. either in person or by
deputy The books and accounts of the person
Required 10 make such returns" This provision
gives the assessor power which no right
minded American citizen should submit to.
ana i quite as IIqUistOriai a. any of the pro-
visions oil the oppressive and Odious" personal
tax laws. and is more suitable for the atmOS-
lacFt "i st Petersburg than Washington CITY,
II l. often asserted in the new papers that the
Tendency OF tHe Present aye is to IegisIate in a
WAY to make the rich richer and the poor
poorer. and IL this case il is proposed to abolish
Jaw obnoxious TO the rich and enact. nc in its
l@ce one which prohibits the poor man from
eaEniEg living for III family or himself. with
'uf MS paying tribute IL a government in the
establishment OF which lie has no voice or vote
Now, Nr- Editor. assure You that no one in
Us District Is more DESTROYS for the repeal OF
fH' personal tax law than myself because it
cannot be eGu!tah.y enforced. and il il contrary
u Vie -rlTt OF this progressive age Real
property should bear the burden of all munich
u taxation. aud the citizens should ne encour-
a2ei by the enactment Of Just and equitable
Laws 10 become pr0perty-holders. and not be
con- Peeled 10 pay tribute for the privilege of
using Their brains or energy i'm earning a Iyell-
hood May we not hope that Congress will
Apply TIE pruuilg-kniie to the new license
Ia". and cut out every section that is burden
some 10 the poor man and is contrary to the
hi'r-t OF our free institutions. and then all our
tl' <enS. old and young, rich and poor can live
anu iet I'VE ". ". ID.