St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-19
SOME OF IT'S FEATURES.

The Republicans and representatives
Of fOStered interests in the state senate
persisted in discussing the policy of an
income tax, as if that were directly in
volved in the question before them.
That was simply to say whether the
people should be allowed next year to
vote on an amendment to the constitu
ton giving the legislature power to i'm
pose an income tax if it saw fit. In case
the amendment is submitted, as the en-
phatic vote in the senate affords pre-
sumption it will be, the query to be
determined is as to the propriety of en-
trusting the legislature with this discre-
tionary power. 1t is not designed as
mandatory clause. Circumstances not
foreseen may make it ineXpedient
to impose such a tax. Still
it is to be presumed that if the people
choose to amend the constitution in this
way tine members of the legislature will
accept it as an instruction. Then the
proDriety of this sort of taxation will
come in review before the people. and
it is to be presumed that they will eX-
anime the subject to all needful extent
and pronounce their matured cOnvic-
ton. 1t is not likely to be consid cred
as partisan question. although the
division in the senate was suggestive of
that. This may be attributed to the
habit of Republicans to work for special
classes, and the suspicion that an in
come tax would touch chiefly the fos-
tered and obese elements affords suffi-
nj q nj nn ot nf rIQ apfic N 70
The indications are that the question
of an income tax is to receive in
creasing attention. The Alliance and
reform elements have IN number of
instances put it in their platforms. as
they did in this state. There are bills
in congress making provision for this
sort of taxation. Should it be found,
when the next congress convenes, that
there is deficiency in the treasury, and
not likely to be stayed in its develop
ment by ordinary sources of revenue.
the income tax idea will be apt to
have favor. 1t is believed by many
who have examined the subject that the
Republicans have greatly overdone the
matter in trying to get rid of the Demo
cratic surplus, and that deficiency of
fifty millions or more will be had in the
next twoyears. Should there be such
tax imposed by the general government.
it is not probable that there would
repetition by any state. The cOnsid-
erations relative to it will have some
what different aspects when viewed as
a general or local measure. The advO-
Gates of it are as much impelled by a
purpose to force the enormously rich to
contribute their share to the support of
the government as to provide increased
revenue. 1t is denied that such is now
the case. For instance, Aston is cred
tied with an income Of 5000 day;
ROCKEFELLER, $4,000; VANDERBILT,
$4,000; GOULD, $1,000; and some thou
sands of others are attached to figures
that have no considerable suggestion of
reciprocity in the treasury. Such men,
it is insisted can pay larger per cent
of their income into the public Golfers
than those of small resources. 1t is
conceded that these classes now easily
escape an equitable part Of the taxes.
If there is any doubt as to the
correctness of this view, 1t is confined
to the parties materially interested.
The unpopularity of the former income
tax imposed by the government was
largel attributed to the smallness of
the exemption, at first $500 and later
$1,000. The minimum now spoken of
either as state or congressional enact
ment, is $4,000. Those who have less
than that amount of net income are
numerous element in the country at
present. especially among the Alliance
people and Democrats. Consequently,
the opponents of the measure judi
ciously aim to keep it out of the ballot
box.
THE funeral reform movement to do
away with flowers originates at Paris,
and is therefore quite the thing. The
objections grow out of the fact that the
matter is overdone, is an annoyance to
the recipients as we'll as tax upo n the
senders; and the germs of disease. es-
pecially when it is in fictitious, lodge in
the petals, and are dangerous. Then,
when the flowers are preserved, they
quarter the bacteria and keep them
leady for pernicious duty. 1t is pro-
70 Cd IN