Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-06-16
Support of Government.

To the editor Of the Alexandria Gaelic:
In The GAZETTE of June 13sh, an editorial
appears. commenting upon resolution
introduced in Congress, "for The imposition
of an income tax" most of which comments
am glad to see, and they point in the right
direction oftrue democracy.
Direct taxation on all the property Of the
country for the support and maintenance
of the government which protects all the
property. is the true policy and should be
the only source from which means should
be- collected to support Government.
A fair assessment on all the incomes and
wealth would be the most just and equal
mode-to all-of sustaining the proper ex.
penses of government BY this system
every one will be required to contribute in
proportion to their ability every one will
know exactly what they are taxed, which
ia not the case under the insidious and par
iial workings of the tar!il, as under ils oper.
atoms none knows how much thy pay but
enough is known to show plainly that the
poor and laborrg classes pay much larger
proportion and tax than the rich for sup.
porting government.
UGder tie operations ofdirect taxation no
considerable surplus can ever accrue in The
public treasury. because every one knowing
exactly what they have to pay will be In ter
ested and ca GUS to see that ust assess
ments are made, that 20 more shall be raised
than is necessary for honest, economical ad-
ministration of affairs.
All will feel interested and be wide awake
to see that no useless schemes of lavish eX.
penditures are prscticed. They will be
equally alive to see that no unnecessary Of
fees are created, and that exhorbitant SAL
aries be not paid. All the people, seeing
and knowing exactly the burdens imposed
for carrying on public affairs, will be ever
watchful to secure honest, economical ad-
ministralions, which is not the case under
the insidous, deceptive operations of the
tariff system.
From my youth have believed in direct
taxation and free trade; opposed to all priv
LEGGED legislation. protection and monopo-
lies-const quaplly, have always been OPP
posed to ali tariffs and chartered banks from
the time President Jackson put down the
national bank to the present time, ard am
equally opposed to the present government
banking system as to the old monopoly bank
of Nick Biddle.
In our town, county and State affairs we
directly assess and tax the property to de-
fray the pubic expenditures, and affairs are
much more economically and fairly admin
i5tered-with no soft places aud useless ex.
penditures-than is the case under our tar
if1-ridden general government. have long
studied these matters, and am more and
more convinced and confirmed, by ob5erva-
ton, experience and reflection, that direct
taxation and free trade, instead of tariff
taxation, is the true and Just system for re-
publican governments, more just and equal
to all than partial TARIFF, more clearly I'm
derstood by all, and can be opposed only by
the rich, who pay far less proportionate
share of the public expense than do the
poor under the tariff system.
Here have hnted at only few Of the
reasons for direct taxation with free trade,
and against tariff taxation, which can be
largely amplfed by thinking men, who
honestly wish for honest, economical admin
iatration of government affairs. D. S. G.