The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-11-18

Important Information Outlined For
Our, Readers.
Alliance Chit Chat and News of the
Great Order From all the
States.

Ohio State Farmers Alliance held
their annual State convention at Co'um.
bus, on November 9th There was
large attendance and an enthusiastic
meeting.
The German system of state insurance
for workingmen is being widely dis
cussed. 1t is practical function of
government. It will bc an issue in
United States cqmpaign before the close
Of the present century.
** s**
Col. Robert Gates on behalf of the
citizens of Memphis has been very active
in securing and preparing for. the com
ing session of the National Alliance.
Expensive and''complctc arrangements arc
reported as due to his energy and per-
severance, assisted by B. q. West, who
was appointed to represent the national.
committee.
Let us come together forgetting that
there ever was q political canvass. and
remember. thatithc Alliance is the farmers
great reserve force for good and light
and justice, and that its mission will
never be accomplished while There is evil
to be met and wrong to be rightcd. 1t
Is above politics, above business, above
our personal iniirInitics and is worthy the
prayers and support of all patriotic cit
liens because it is the only hope for the
freedom of posterity.
*** ~
AN INCOME TAX.
(By Hon. T. E. Watson.l
This income tax law passed Congress
TIHfT lTIff iJp1 1sG2. 1t did not into n1rr..t--
BY its terms all incomes in excess Of
5000 and under $40, 600 were taxed mt ,
per cent. over $40, 600 at per ccat.
This was surely very moderate
The tax was collected under the in
ternal revenue system.
From this source the Government col
lected 81, TAI ,857 in 1868.
For the fiscal year, ending June 80,
1864, it collected $50, 294 733.
GA the third day of March, 1865, the
act was amended so as to substitute per
cent for the per cent on the smaller in
comes, and 10 per cent. for the per cent
upon the larger ones, commencing with
IN income of $4,000.
Under these acts the Cove -nmcnt col.
lcctcd $32 ,05O,O17.
In 1866 this tax Welded $12, 9S2 395.
In 1875 the law was amended. The
AK was diminished in effect one half.
The amendment also provide that the
act was to expire with the year 1870.
In 1868, $4l, l,455, 500 was the sum col
lectcd. In 1870 It wa' So! S91 S57. On
July IA, 1870, the tax was extended one
year, and reduced to % pr cent.
This was repealed by an act which
passed the Senate January &c, 1871. and
the House on March 3, 1871. The ycls
and nays were not taken in the House
Taxes already due before the repeal of
the act continued to be collected in 1871
and 1872 and 1873. The last were not
in till 1877.
The total amount collected under this
very moderate income tax was $346, 906,-
73S.
Does anyone doubt that it would now
be practical to collect enough revenue
from this ,urce TO run the Governments
Fortunes have so amazingly increased
in the hands of the millionaircs; profits
so stupendous have accumulated in the
hands of Standard Oil magna'cs. col
barons railroad king, sugar trus, opera
tors, steel and iron combines, that good,
heavy tax on incomes above $40, 900.
the tax growning heavier as the income
was larger-would be phenomenal in its
yield.
The reasons why such tax would bc
better than any we now have are suii.
cientlQ obvious.
1. 1t would put the burden on the
class most able to bear it..
.. 1t would put the support of the adj
minis ration upon those who derive the
greatest benefits under the laws.
7. Il s.,k., Nl,a. f..l
class in the cause Of economy. itch men
| get particular when they know that they
must foot the bills
A. 1t would put the pension debt on
the men who got rich off the victories Of
| the soldiers
) 1t would discourage the accumnla-
| tion of enormous fortunes ard would
afford legal method Of checking tho
| growth OF conc ntra ed veal II
| g. 1t would abolish the t riff, which,
as q system Of collecting tax is the
most costly, one sided a d mon uous the
world ever saw
7. 1t would snpplant internal revenue
taxes upon whiskcy and tobacco which
| SUBJECTS OF taxation sn uid be rclcgatcd
| to the States.
| 8. 1t would give 10 oppressed pco.
| pic all over the land Il relief rom lc
| crushing burden of indirect, c,wardly
and illegal taxes which arc wrung from
them in the name of the law for benefit
Of privileged classes.
The nations Of Europe recognize the
Justice of the inc me tax.
In England it yields about 500, ,0OO,-
Coo annually; IL Austria, ~, 900, COO !;
in 1t tLy, $3.50 0,'00; in Prussia, $50,
100000.