The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-24
Taxes and Taxation.

Editor Morning NeUs: The power Of
taxation is sutocratic and it can be made
despotic in the hands of those who are given
the power to levy taxes. Political economy
is a study. as much SO as that Of law, medi-
cine, theology or any other branch of busi-
ness We daily hear the expression: HE
is politician; am no politician" When
in truth what the speaker meant TO say:
He is partisan; am no partisan. Politics
is the study of the science of government,
looking TO the best policies and measures
which will develop the country, put money
in the pockets Of the people and add to the
general wealth and prosperity of the
whole country, whether national, state or
municipal
One-idea men are not fit for Legislators,
no matter in what branch Of Legislation
you may put them. Their range of Thought
never extends beyond their own interests
or business, or their own habitat or their
own section. We see that daily illustrated
in national, staJe and municipal legislation.
"Will the passage of such law help my
people, my section, my interestsm falls daily
from the lips OF legislators. A real politi-
clan should be a broad.minded man who
takes in every section Of his country, state
OF city, and legislates for general, not
private, interests.
1n9 people nave DeeU DAQly eQuChU6Q +,
educated to be partisans, to attach great
Importance to name rather than to wise
policies, sound measures and broad views.
All legislation is but experimental, we can
not tell what the workings of law will be
until 1t is put into operation. Theories
amount to nothing as against actual facts
As the celebrated DR. Abercrombie OF Edin-
burgh said in bis day: Medicine is the
science of guessing" 30 of good deal OF
Legislation; the legislator guesses il will be
good law or measure, and many times the
guessing Is bad. Hence, the repealinR and
amending Of laws at every session OF CON
gress or state legislatures.
Good Legislation ia the result Of everyday,
practical comm on sense. built on observa-
ton and experience. Fine spun theories
are not needed, but actual business facts
are as we see them daily ia business. As a
sound political writer has truly said
Every tax which makes trade and produc-
ton difficult is added to the expense of pro-
duction and trade, and is paid in the end by
the consumer, and consequently by the
many for the benefit of the few" That Is
true, and common sense and everyday OBJ
servation bears out the fact. Cheapness in
everything develops q country, and that
legislation which taxes production,
business. trade and advancement
is not wise, but bad. Taxation
should be OF that character which would
encourage development in everything. and
not put an embargo upon investments,
trade or business. Cheap building material
will give cheap houses, cheap houses will in
vite in population, population will give life
to trade. The more unrestricted trade and
pro iuotion, the lower will be the cost Of
articles produced. Political economy, when
properly understood. encourages labor, gives
life and vitality 30 every branch of bust
ness and does not crush out progress and de-
velopment by high taxation.
What is wanted is a fair, just and truth
full assessment on all property, and taxa
ton made as low as possible. Let taxation
be such as to encourage rather than discour-
age all lines Of business; to encourage build
ing, TO stimulate trade. and develop new en-
terprises. What field for thought to the
legislator, the thinker, and the student of
political and domestic economy.
r. M. o.