The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-02-22
Tax the Corporations.

The attempt of the manufacturing
and trading corporations of this State
TO escape the small tax of three mills
on their capital stock is in the highest
degree characteristic of the spirit of
Monopoly. There was a time when
these corporations would have gladly
paid this meagre tribute to the public
revenue in return for their privileges.
But In their growing arrogance they
have come TO T, gard themselves as too
sacred TO be touched by the rnde hand
of the Commonwealth. To exempt
these companies from taxation Is to ia
yoT them at the expense OF iLdiylGu uai
enterprise and capital. This form of
taxation is the only way in which q
considerable amount of property can be
compelled to contribute its fair share
of the public revenues. What the man
ufacturIng and trading corporations es-
cape falls all the heavier upon indiyidu-
ais whose property is within easy reach
of the tax-gatherer.
1t is pretended that this small tax
upon private companies in trade would
discourage enterprise and the invest
ment o. capital in Pennsylvania. IL
any joint stock company In the State
engaged IN manufacturing, mining or
trading cannot pay three mill-ta1 it
had better wind up its affairs and save
the money of its investors. But for
every corporation that might retire on
account OF this tax individual enter
prise aud capital would eagerly rush in
to ill the gap. 1t is too late in the day
to make the pretense that the accumu-
latiOn of capital in joint stock compan-
les is necessary for carrying on manu-
featuring and trade. These corpors-
tiOns are mischiev0us inCruders upon q
domain which should exclusively be-
long to individual enterprise and
capital.
But. apart from all considerations of
public revenue, the wOrkingmeD o.
pennsylvania have a peculiar interest
ia this question. OF all forms of capital
there is none so oppressive to labor as
that which is gathered in joint stock
companies for manufacturing end trad
ing. These corporations have no bowls.
They will lower the rate OF wages or
close their mills or mines for the eighth
of per cent. dividend on their shares.
y % appeal can be made to their humanity
IN behalf Of the rights OF labor, for they
are incOTporeal, invisible, elusive.
They have been the first and foremost
IN Pennsylvania to Systematically en-
gage in the Importation or cheap
Iorelgn LABOR IN order To degrade and
enslave American ~orkIngmen. All
the good that is claimed In behalf of |
these manufacturing corporations does
not amount to tithe of the mischief |
they do in the world OF industry The |
repeal of all laws permitting the incor- |
poration OF joint stock companies to
engage in manufacturing, mining and
trading would be most salutary reform.
II the pro-creatIon of the brood should
be stopped such of them as are in being
would die within half generation. To
tax these corporations out o. existence
would be an unwarrantab!e exercise of
legislative power. But between this
ana the imposition of the extremely
moderate tax in the Revenue bill now
before the Legislature there is a wide
difference. The failure of the Leeis-
lature TO impose this tax would be a
pItiful confession of subserviency TO
corporation rhuences.-Phild. Record.