The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1892-08-24
TAXATION.
An Address by A. o. Grigsby, Before the
Topeka Ethical Society.

The objective point to be reached by our
educational work, in order to accomplish
the best results, must in the very nature OF
things be ethical in its character. No true
reformer can afford to be ciEcumscribed in
his or her work for humanity within the
narrow limits of creed, political or re-
ligious. No. question can be settled until
it is settled right, and it can never be settled
right until we fully comprehend what is
right. Our object should be to discover the
truth, regardless Of any effect it might have
upon any preconceived notions, political,
religious or otherwise. In order to estab-
lish absolute justice among men We must
first ascertain just what ought to be done,
and when we have done this we will then
be ready TO unite upon course OF action
that promises the most surely and the most
speedily to accomplish that result. The
distractions which stand in the way Of this
result must be clearly defined, to the end
that they may be clearly removed. We
must understand just how it is that the peo-
pie are impoverished pauperized and de-
graded, before the causes of poverty can be
removed, and poverty with all it's conse-
quences abolished. The wise general al
ways seeks first to ascertain the exact posi-
tion occupied by the enemy, and then he
commences his attack at the most vulner-
able point and the one which, when carried,
will enable him to carry other stroDgholds
until the enemy is entirely driven from the
field. Reformers, to be successful, must
pursue the same policy. Humanity, in its
progress towards higher and better COndi-
tions for all, finds itself confronted by a
powerful, unsorupulous and hitherto irwin
chile enemy, securely entrenched in the
laws and customs Of society. This last great
foe to human liberty and human veal is the
logical result and the inevitable consequence
of the false economic education of the peo-
pie, incorporated into law and enforced, il
need be, by the sword. This power which
to-day brushes the manly hopes Of labor
and tramples humanity into the dust, may
be comprehensively defined as the power TO
tax. This power to levy tribute, to impose
burdens upon the people, is not only exer-
cised by the state, but under the law is CON
ferred upon corporations and individuals.
We were told from this platform that
taxation absorbed the entire wealth created
by the people once in sixteen years. This
referred to taxes imposed on the people for
revenue purposes, to meet the expenses OF
governments ts--municipal, state and ma
tional. I am not disposed to dispute this
statement; but justice impels US TO empha-
size the fact, that this form Of taxation is
one of the smallest and least Objectionable
burdens imposed upon the people by this
power to tax conferred by law and usage.
Revenues derived from this source are OK
pended among che people, and in the form
Of money enter into circulation, stimulate
production, facilitate distribution, and thus
return to the taxpayers an indirect, but at
the same time, under our existing CONNER
cial system, substantial benefit. These
public revenues constitute q very consider
able portion Of our circulating medium,
which enters circulation without being bur-
dened by contract to pay interest, secured
by cut-throat mortgages. Hence it is great
saving to the people over money borrowed
from banks and private lenders, notwith-
standing the fact that it starts upon it's
mission a. fne imposed upon the people
as the penalty for having created the means
TO supply the demand for food, shelter, raj
ment and all the ct ceteras Of an advanced
and advancing civilization. AS system Of
raising public revenues, our system of taxa
tion is, to say the least, very imperfect, bui
to the extent that the expenditure Of these
revenues supplies the demand for q circu.