St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-29
THE INCOME TAX

interviews with many congreSsme II,
hailing from every section of the coun-
try, lead to the conclusion that the queS-
ton of the imposition of an income tax
will not be made part of any revenue
bill that may be urged for passage at
the coming session of congress. Ii such
a tax is proposed it will be offered as an
independent measure, and will stand or
fall upon its merits.
This is agratifying assurance. There
is no good reason, as the GLOBE has
already stated, for ieopardiziug any
needed legislation by coupling it to
measure upon which so much diversity
of opinion exists. The taxation of i'll
comes is not a partisan measure. Many
Democrats are opposed to it for reasons
which they regard as sufficient, Presi-
dent Cleveland, il is understood, being
|, one of the number. The Republicans
are also divided as to the wisdom of
such tax. Members of both parties
are opposed to making adhesion or op-
position to the measure test of party
fealty, and this it cannot be. For there
is no expression on the subject in the
platform of either party, and their rep
resentatives are therefore at liberty to
use their own judgment in regard to it.
AS heretofore pointed out i'll these
columns, there are good reasons to be
urged both in favor of and against an
income tax. Its inquisitorial nature
and the difficulty that will attend its i'm
position and collection are the chief OBJ
jeetiOns to it. 1t offers premium upon
perjury. for, there being no visible and
infallible means of ascertaining mans
income. absolute dependence must be
placed upon the returns he shall choose
to make to the assessor. While the
majority of men are honest, and would
make true return of their profits.
maryland these frequently the men
who have the largest incomeS-would
not hesitate to swear falsely in order to
escape taxation. Thus honest men
would be compelled to pay, while their
more prosperous neighbOrs would es-
cape altogether.
The imposition of an income tax
would in many eases place a premium
upon shiftlessness and improvidence. If
diligence and enterprise are to be re-
pressed by onerouS burdens, what will
be the inducement to ambition? If ras-
cality is placed at premium. where
will be the utility of being honest?
On the other hand, it seems only fair
that those who receive the largest re-
turn for their labor should pay the
chief share of the burdens of govern
ment To be sure, they have generally
invested largely in preparing for profit
| able occupations-haveo obtained educa-
ton at considerable cost of time and
money - but, having accumulated a
goodiy share of this worlds goods, they
should pay for the maintenance of the
laws that protect them in Its enjoy
ment Ii it were possible to secure
equity in the division Of this tax, there
would be less objection to il, but the
impoSsibility of attaining this essential
fairness is fatal objection to any at
tempt to impose it.
AT any rate, the matter will have to
be considered on its own merits. 1t
cannot be hitched TO any other scheme
of taxation; nor can it be made oblig-
atory upon either party to support it.
| The individual members of congress
will have 10 decide upon their course
| upon their own responsibility.