The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-06
TFor the Dispatch.I
The state lncOme-Cax

\
seNR REFLECTIONS on THE INC0ME-TAX Io
WHICH THE ATTENTION OF THE MEMBERS VI
OUR LEGISLATURE is REQUESTED.
No millionaire can live or will live IN
virginia, Notwithstanding her delightful
climate and many other advantages. our
ineome-tax. after the first 5000, Is l per
cent. III Mr.. Vanderbilt should desire 10
become resident OF the land OF Pfesi-
dents as was Presidents, he would have u
nav annually about 100000 for the prlvi-
iege. This would be about twice the pre-
sent income-taX Of the State. IL would De
a good thing for Virginia, but William IL.
would not be willing to pay that much
for the privilege. OF course WIZ
liam r.. would never think oil Nv
| Ing in Virginia. But there are q
great many inducements for some rich men
| 10 remove hther--our vast deposits OF
valuable ores, our mild climate, our health
! ful latitude, our historical associations,
&c. These rich men viii not como. They
will not nay the price. Their income is
drawn from property In other States, from
United States and other bonds. They pay
income tax in other States. They Will not
nav II twice; or II they do not pay income
tax at their present homes, they will not
come where they will have one to pay.
Nobody can doubt the truth OF the above
propositions, which amount 10 this that
il rich men wish to come to Virginia the
income tax will effectually prevent their
doing so.
Is the amount that Virginia derives from
the income tax anything like the amount
OF taxable people and taxable property
that are driven away from our territory?
II Is very desirable that rich men should
come among us to engage in commercial
pursuits, to embark in manufactures, to
buy Our lands. They won't do 1t as long
as thev have TO pay per cent. on their in
come. This tax Is not only oppressive,
but invidous.
Perhaps one reason why land in Viz
ginia is Of so little value is because only
poor men, who have but little income. are
willing TO come here. The rich are kept
away, and there are no moneyed buyers.
Well-tO-dO Virginians can buy land at
their own price. They can do so without
competition from outside capital-which is
very well for the few but bad for the State
at large.
The income-taX being unequal, Is unjust.
We would not urge this as Il plea with any
hope OF success. This tax is designed to
make the rich pay. But while our Virginia
income-tax is looking for the rich II comes
with a heavy hand upon peOr-salaried men
who have families 10 support-clerks, me-
chanics, and others. This class pay their
tax on property and then the income tax.
The poor man in town, his wife and chill
dren, sit around the family board. The
bread thew eat is taxed per cent.-that is.
IL nh Nrh
he bought the bread. His butter is
taxed 1 per cent-he bought the butter
with money that was taxed per cent; his
milk is taxed per cent. His lamb, beef,
eggs, vegetables, tea, coffee, sugar, ana all
the family consume are taxed per cent. {;
also, the doctors bill, the money paid for
shoes, clothing, insurance, and everything
except house rent and servant hire, are all
taxed 1 per cent. Thus people in towns
are compelled TO pay, in addition to their
tax on property, per cent. on all they eX-
pend saving house rent and servants hlre.
Not so in the country. The poor country
man sits down 10 his table. His milk,
eggs, bacon, beef, mutton, coffee. tea,
wheat-bread. corn-bread, are not TAX
ed. The calf, the lamb, the pig,
were all born within the preceding year,
but none OF these were taxed 1 per cent.
What farmer ever thought OF rendering
any of these as incomei The fire blazes
with cords OF wood. What farmer ever
rendered the wood he burned rs in
come! In town every cinder pays | per
cent. tax to the State, except on the part
of persons whose income is less than 5000.
The income-taX brings very little money
to the State, keeps away mOneyed men,
operates very unequally, and allows all
men to shirk payment whose increase OF
wealth is estimated by personal property,
and not by money. Rich men have already
left the State on account OF the income
tax, and more will want to 90.
Prs IN IRE