The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-18
jOHA G. C,RLlSLE
ADDRESSES THEIEOQUOIS CLUB,
AT THEIR BANQUET,
Setting 70 nth His Views on the Tar
in, Holding That Tax stiOn
Destroys Wealth.

CHICAGO, Ill, November 1.-THE
fourth annual bsrq of the Ire qnois
Cub occurred iouight at Ihs Pa mer
House. Among the large number Of
distioeu sht d Democrats TO whom in
vitatinns had been mt the ( 10 wiz g
are amoug the most widely known
who aCcep ed and were present !:
Capt. John G. Carlisle, the Hon. ]. B.
Beck, the Hon. Edward S. Bragg and
the Hon. Stuart Nor on.
Among prominent paisonsges who
sent merely formal letters OF regret
are: Abrsm S, Hswett, S. S. Cox,
Roswell P. Flower, Will am @. Eldi-
soft. Perry Belmont, Govs. ]. M.
Hill and Fitzhugh Lee, A. G. Thur
man and Fitz John Porter.
The Hon John G. Carlisle, OF Ken
lucky, WIS received with great ap-
plsuse, and spoke as TO lows in re-
spouse to q toast ON American To-
dustries; their growth and prosperity
cannot be promoted by unnecessary
or unequal tsxation:"
Although the toast just read asserts
q sef evident truth, we cannot afford
to ignore the fact that even in this age
OF philosophical speculation and prac-
tical knowledge there are men in the
front ranks OF literature, politics and
business who seriously contend that
the government can make its cit zens
rich and prosperous by taxing them.
II these gentlemen should attempt to
convince the public that the farmer
could be made more prosperous by in
creasiDg the tax on his land, or that
the manufacturer could be benefited
by compelling him to pay a high rate
OF taxation on his mac ninery or his
income, the absurdity OF their position
would be so apparent IS to excite uni
vereal ridicule, and yet such PROPOSE
tons would be no more absurd or un.
reasonable than the assertion that the
prosperity Of the people generally can
be increased by imposing taxes upon
their food, their clothing, their
bull. ing materials, their msaps
of transportation and the tools
and implements used in their indus
tries. Taxes do not create wealth;
they destroy it. All taxation, whether
it be direct or Indirect, and no matter
how it msy be disguised or in what
manner it's payment may be enforced,
ia ultimately a charge upon labor,
while its immediate and invariable
effect is to withdraw the full amount
of the exac'ion from the productive
industries of the people. When it is
equitably imposed for public purposes
only, and it's proceeds are honestly
used in defrsyiDg the necessary ex-
penses and meeting the just obliga-
tions OF the government, ali are equally
bent fited and no one has a right to
complain; but when tax is imposed
upon one part OF the people or one
class of industries simply for the pur-
pose of increasing the profits of an.
o her part OF the people or another
class Of industries, or when a tax is 30
laid that its necessary effect Is to in
Gre ase the profits in 30 me other indus
tries at the expense OF others equally
meritorious, the impolicy and the
injustice of the proceeding are
too obvious to require comment.
Absolute equality in the adjust.
ment of the rates of tsxation
and in the designation Of the articles
upon which it shall be imposed is not
10 be expected and in fact is not at
tainsble; but substantial equality aud
uniformity are essential in every Just
revenue system. 30 long as the power
OF taxation is exercised only for the
purpose of raj ing revenue for the
support OF the government, the prin-
cipes of equality and uniformity can
be recognized and enforced in large
degree at least; but when the power
is perverted end used to increase the
profits o! private individuals and pre-
vent the collection of revenue by the
government it is impossible to regu-
late its exercise by any rule or primer
pie, except favoritism and self shness.
In such a case, equslity end uniform
ity would necessarily defeat the pri-
mary object OF the tax, because it is
evident that II all were compelled to
pay equal tribute to each other no.
body would be benefited, and 1t is
Just as evident that il all do not pay
equal tribute somebody must BIZ
cheated. American industries-and
by these l mean to include every hon
est and useful occupstion-canrot
be promoted by any system Of taxa
ton or any policy of legislation
which discriminates between them,
and compels enc to contribute part |
Of its own earnings to increase the |
profits or prevent losses in another. |
There should b. no expatriated or
prosecuted industries in this country;
there should beno ranks or degrees |
among the legitimate occupations of |
The people, nor any road to the favor
or bounty Of the government not open
10 all alike. Mining and manufacture
ing, and the occupations dependent
upon them, are great and va liable in
1ustries, and should be cherished and
promoted in every proper way. They
afford employment to many millions
If capital and many thousands OF la.
boreTs, and their products contribute
argely to the wealth and comfort of
The people; but they are not by any
means the only American industries.
In the households of the poor, in the
ields and forests, in the mines and
actories, in the stores and shops, on
he railroads and canals and rivers, on
he high seas-everywhere there are
American industries struggling with
he magnetic forces OF nature and sub
lung, combining and utilizing the
DEMENT'S OF the earth and the air,
md any view Of our industrial
ystem which fails to comprehend all
hese necessarily leads to partial and
rroneous conclusions. Taking that
,road view of them which compre-
lends the smallest as well as the
reatest, and appreciates the interests
4 the whole, instead Of part only, it
} impossible TO understand how their
rowth and prosperity can be promot-
d by taxation in any form. 1t is not
ifficult to gee how system which
revents competition, and therefore
Increase prices, may enable an indi-
idual who has capital involved in a
'articular industry, to realize profits
instead OF suffering losses, but it Is
manifest that this must always be
one at the expense Of the consumers
his nroducta. who ara also aa q 0an-