The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1892-02-11
sample Tax EvasiOns.

d. J.. Thomas. of Indiana, writes in
the Economist as follows:
In my Judgment the masses can not just
now be more deeply interested in any sub
Jest than the taxation of yreenbacks
Probably no one thing causes more fraud
aud perjury than the non-taxab!c charac-
ter OF grcenbacas. 1t might have been
we'll to make them non-taxable to get them
into circulation. But no such emergency
exists now.
If the facts could all be brought to light
the public Quill learn that the summary OF
grecn5acks used to dodge taxation would
am )unt to more than all the money in the
United states combined Let me explain.
IIore in Indiana we are assessed upon what
we have on the first day of April of
each year. According TO the law the hold
er OF grcenbacks at that date does not
have to list them for taxes. But now to the
va.iOn: a has $1,000 deposited in bank.
Prior to April he drops into bank and the
cashier. according to private understand
ing, hands a 4 package OF grccn5acks. say
ing. s.liere is your $1,000 deposit. A says
@A1l right; place these grcenbacks to my
account" Then comes IL, who has $500
on dep sit. That amount (Out Of said 81 900
in grcenbacks) Is in like manner presented
to Ii and likewise hanled back, and $500 in
greenbacks placed To his credit. comes
in. who has $500 on deposit. Likewise his
deposit turns to grccnbacks. and 50 on ad
said bank Though they aggregate hundreds
Of thousands cf dollars) are greenback de-
poSits. Hence said deposits are nom tax
able. And. too. Il few thousands OF green
backs are easily made to do the work.
Our Legislature enacted the best tax law
ever placed upon our statutes. One prom
inent feature of the law gave assessors au-
thority to swear bank cashiers and make
them furnish a list OF deposits held Arril 1.
But the banks combined and had that feat
ure OF the law annulled By the Supreme
Court. AS the report is not yet published,
don't know the grounds OF the attack.
But from the foregoing disclosure every one
will understand why the banks resisted
that part Of the law. Had they not done
Sd. just think OF the lawless and con-
scienccicss conduct of dopositors which
would have been brought to light. That
fight was made purely to keep corruption
covered up and to shield those from pay Ing
taxes who arc best able 10 pay them. Ev-
cry alliance in the United States should al
once bring its influence to bear upon Con-
grcss to secure the repeal Of that non-tax-
able feature OF crccnbacks before they
again have to be assessed. Nothing comes
home more directly to every honest tax
rayer tia, does this matter, 1t makes M
differences what his calling Is. There arr
enough honest taxpayer. to secure sucl
legislation at once or supersede every Con.
gresham who does not act in the premises
Will the Ec ,ple do IL?
have learn ID of this scheme in a city
Tho banks by previous understanding
transferred ail their greenbacks on hant
the morning Of April I. to n single bank
Then the bulk Of said greenbacks wa
passed through each bank on that day
That permitted each bank to escape taxes or
money on hand: for each could swear tn a
greenbacks covered amount OF all none,
on hand that day. ! have heard thcs'
things mooted for some time. But now
Can assert most positively ths truth Of tn
report. And have tbs positive assuranc,
that banks right now aro picking out tn
greonbacks received and LAYING them ava,
Sos the purpose already indicated, Homes