The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-03-25
TAX WEALTH.
Some IDEAS OF How tn, Law Cln 10
Enforced
Ventura, Cal.

Some IDEAS OF How tn, Law Cln 10
Enforced.
The demand for graduated tax on
incomes, increasing in proportion to
their size, is finding place in many of
the recent reform platforms says tho
New Nation. 1t Is advocated not
merely as device for raising revenue,
but because it is believed it would
have an effect to check the accumula.
tion of the nations wealth in few
hands now so rapidly going on, An
income tax is very fair tax in prin-
ciple but it has hitherto boen found |
an extremely difficult one to collect
being chiefly borne by conscientious
people and those whose incomes hap
pen to be known, owing to the pub
lie character OF their sources If some
moro effective machinery for ascer-
tanning incomes and collecting the Tux
in an equal way can be suggested than
has hitherto been in use, We should be
glad to see any extension OF the prin-
ciple OF taxing incomes.
Meanwhile however it appears
very evident to us that the taxation OF
inheritances would promote the two
ends OF raising revenue and curbng
millionaireism, much more eiiicacious-
ly than any scheme of income taxation
| is likely to, Instead of, or at any
rate in addition to, graduated tax on
incomes we would urge graduated
tax on inhertances We would tax,
that is to say tho accumulations of
the dead rather than those Of the liv-
ing,
EXempting entirely inhertnnces OF
less than $40, 600, we would tax es-
tatos between $40. 900 and 500 000
say one-half Of one per cent increas.
ing the tax at such rate with each
additional 800, 900 us to make it five
per cent on 81, 900, 900. With each
additional million we would add
fraction of one per cent TO tho tax,
making it 10 per cent on $40, 000 600.
After this point 1t might DO we'll to in
crease the rate OF tax by one per cent
per additional million, making it 20
per cent on $40, 900. 600. 80 per cent
on $50 900, 900, 40 per cent on $40,
600, 900, and so per cent on Inherit
ances OF $50 000 900 and over
We would guard against the evasion
OF this tax by providing that all stock,
bonds deeds or other evidences Of
property inherited or derived from n
deceased PERSONS estate should bear u
stamp indicating that they had paid
the tax and otherwise at any time
should be cOnfscatod TO the state, half
to go to the informer. Slight addi-
tons to our existing probate and land
registry system would give the needed
machinery for those purposes.
1t may be said that very rich per-
sons, 10 avoid this tax, would give
away their wealth before death. The
strong natural indisposition to believe
in the nearness OF death, coupled with
the desire to cling TO ones wealth rs
long rs there Is q chance Of recovery,
would be very likely to prevent this
from generally happening. Moreover,
in u large proportion OF cases, espe-
cially where ones heirs are not ones
children there is often no great de.
sire on the part Of the testator to go
out Of his way TO Oblige them.
Supposing, however to supplement
the effect of these motives, it were Il
law that upon the death Of any person
his executors or administrators should
be required to report upon all trans
fers OF property made within month
OF his death, and that whore these ap-
peared to be without substantial con-
sideration. intent TO evade tho law
should he presumed, and the property
involved conllscated. 1t is probable
that such a provision rs this would
make people having great fortunes to
leave careful 10 observe tho law out
OF regard for tlrelr own families.
Tho idea OF tax on Inheritance IL
nothing new or startling. Such taxes
are levied in most foreign countries,
and In various states OF the union. In
Switzerland the tax reaches as high q
figure rs 10 per cent and In New
Zealand is very high. but usually 1t Is
very trihing, and is not graduated ac-
cordlng to the size OF the inheritances
In our opinion this form Of tax Of
iers II intelligently and vigorously d.
rected TO that purpose, most promis-
ing device. by strictly legal methods,
for assisting to break up the mon
strous accumulation OF wealth in indl-
vidual hands, which now constitutes
O serious peril TO the republic.