The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-06-21

levied on real estate and personal property
that is clearly in sight, and it does not re-
quire much imagination 30 understand that
an income tax would only be paid either By
the comparatively few who usually pay their
taxes in fun, or else it would have to be
enforced with such rigid scrutiny Of each
mans private affairs as would necessitate a
host of spies, detectives and informers, and
would speedily become so obnoxious that
the indignant people would sweep it ont OF
existence.
If there was any fast and certain way OF
getting st each mans annual income with
the same ease and sureuess that we can
measure up the acres Of land or count the
number Of houses standing in his name, we
would be enthusiastically in favor Of an
income tax.
But when we know that a large portion
of men in every community-not only in
our own country, but all over the world
who esteem themselves as honest, yet think
it legitimate to beat and deceive the Asses
scr in every possible way, we see the I'M
praeticabiity of lsvying an income tax
which win result in anything but yexation,
annoyance and absolute robbery Of honest
minded men who want to pay their taxes.
This is the invariabIe experience, and it is
/ the reason why all attempts to tax incomes
in this country have been abandoned
/ THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE PENSION BILL.
BE enacted 81 The senate and House Of Rsp-sssus
aiiTes Of the UH5tsd Sl'ss Of AUIsrieI Ia C0agrsfs
assembled, That the Secretary Of the Interior be.
and he - hereby, authorized and directed 90 place
on the pensiOurolI, upon application therefor tls
names of the surviving hOuOrabl y-discharEcd ofi-
/ GERS and enlisted men Of the military and naval
services Of the United States who actually served
/ 50 days, or more, subsequent to the 4th day Of
March lsdl, and prior TO the 2st day Of December,
Sec. 2. That pensions under section Of this act
shall be at the rate per month Of cent for each
days service rendered. and payable only frun and
| amer tue passage OF THIS act for and dtrins the
natural lives Of the persons entitled thereto Pro-
Elded, hoCeUer, That in each and every case where
the service 50 rendered was less than 80 days the
pension shall be at the rate herein established foE
| service of 500 days, TO wit s.
/ See 8. That all Invalid pensioners who are now
| receiving pensions under existing laws or whose
claims are pending IN the Pension Once, or befors
Congress may, by application 70 the Commissioner
OF Pensions, in such form as he may prescribe. re-
eeive the benefits Of this act; and nothing herein
contained shall be so construed as to prevent any
pensiOner Hereunder from prosecuting his claim
and receiving his pension under any other general
or special act at his election any time: Preceded
I That no person shall receive more than one pen
| sion for the same period.
Sec. 4. That il any honOrabIy- diseharged ofzeeS
or enlisted man OF the military naval service %
| the United States, who served during the perioa
specified in section Of this act. has died. shall
| hereafter die, leaving widow, such widow shall
/ be placed upon the peusion-rou upon her applica-
ton at the rate Of Si2 per month: ProVided, Thai
! said widow married 10 the deceased officer, or
enlisted man. prior % the passage Of this act. And
pTorided further, That all pensions granted 70
/ widows under this act shall take effect from The
date Of death of the husbands Of such widows
respectively, but not dating from any date prior %
the passage of this act.
Sec 5. That rank in the service OF any officer or
enlisted man shall not be considered inapp!letiOE4
Sec. g. That Section 47l6 Of the Revised ssatutsS
Is hereby repealed far the relates to this
act or to pensions under this act Preceded, Thas
this act shall not apply to those persons under the
| political disabilities imposed by the 18th Amend
! Inent to the Constitution OF the United States.
Sec. T. That the Secretary Of the Interior De, and
he is hereby, authorized and directed 70 employ
Loco clerks, such additional force may in htf
discretion, be deemed necessary, additional 10 thosa
now employed IN the Pension Bureau to aiiiulIcats
all claims arising under the provisions Of TINS act
within two years from the date Of the passage
thereof Ind Be q further enacted, That the Seere
tary Of War be, and he IS hereby, authorized and
directed to employ 500 additional clerks, such
force may be necessary IN the Office OF the AdJus
tant-GeneraI United States Army to dispose OF thu
increased work consequent upon the passage Of ting
act. ARd be II further enacted, That the several
United States Pension Agents be authorized to tnf
crease their clerical force subject to the approval
Of the Secretary of the Interior to extent neees
sary to promptly dispose of the increased work
consequent upon the passage of this act NOS to exc
coed II at each agency aud whose salaries shall y
paid out Of the moneys TO be appropriated BY thi1
act.
| Sec s. That so much as may be necessary to pay
the pensions provided for in this act and TO pay for
the increased clerical force Ia the Offices Of the
Commissioner Of Pensions. the AdjutRnt Generall
and the United States Pension Agents hereinbefora
authorized to be employed, be, and the same a
| hereby, appropriated out OF any moneys In The
Treasury not otherwise appropriated
Sec. 9. That any agent, attorney, or other person
1 instrumental IN prosecuting any claim under This
act who shall directly or indirectly contract for
demand. receive retain, for his services or in
strumentality IN presenting and prosecuting sUch
claim, q greater sum than $40 payable only upon
the order Of Commissioner Of Pensions, by thu
| Pension Agent making payment Of the pension
allowed), or who shall wrongfully withhold rom
pensioner or claimant the whole any part Of the
pension claim allowed and due such pensiOnes
or claimant, shall be deemed guilty Of q misdss
l meanor, and upon conviction thereof shall. f01
every such ofeuse, be fined not exceeding $500,
| or Imprisonment at hard labor not exceeding two
years, both, in the discretion OF the court Pro-
person whomsOever in any case where an invalid
pensiOner Is granted an increase under the prOys-
ions of this act.
Sec. 10 That al laws or parts Of laws which con-
et with the provisions of this act shall De and the
same are, hereby repealed.
MUSTERED OUT.