St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-22
AN INCOME TAX

1t is now announced that the new
tariff bill will be completed in all its
essential details by the close of the
present week. The only point of contro-
versy Of an important nature that now
exists is as to the expectancy of impos-
ing tax Oh incomes; but the impress
sion is that such provision will be in
corporated in the bill.
However opinions may differ as to the
wisdom of an income tax. there can be
no question that such provision VIII
seriously jeopardiZe the entire bill All
tax impostions are more or less inqusi-
tOrial, but an income tax is especially
so. and is therefore obnoxious to the
people at large. 1t must be said in its
favor that it is more just than many
other forms of taxation, and that it i'm
poses the burdens of government upon
rhose who are best able to bear them.
And yet it is not free from objections
on this score. Under the law providing
for the issue of government bonds,
both the principal and interest are ex-
empt from taxation. A man, therefore,
who is in receipt Of an Income Of hun
dred thousand dollars from this source
would pay no taxes, while his neighbor,
receiving a less return from other in
vestments, would be taxed heavily.
The income tax, too, offers premium
on dishonesty. The returns of man
drawing regular salary can be easily
ascertained, but many business men
and capitalists have diverse sources of
income, known only to themselves and
their confidential friends or business as
sociates. The taXgatherer has to rely
upon their honesty in making returns.
and, as human nature is now c0nSti-
tuted, this is frequently frail depend
ence. There are scores of means by
which an honest return can be eVaded;
there are scarcely any by means of which
the fraud can be detected and the per-
petrator punished.
The inquisitorial features OF the tax
are. however, the chief reasons urged
against its imposition. 1t is alleged
that mans income is his private con-
Germ. and that if it were made public he
would be subjected to MANY hardship5,
that man with a goodly iHcom e
would be imposed upon by eXtortioners
and pestered by almS-seekerS; that if
he chose to practice economy he would
be subjected to unjust criticism. and if
his mode of living were too generous for
his income his credit would be impaired.
These are undoubtedly valid objections.
but whether or not they will be eS-
eemed sufficient remains to be deter
mined.
Much of the revenue of tie British
government is derived from the income
tax. There, however. no one knows
what his neighbor pays. for the tax lists
are kept from the public eye, This
would be impossible under our system,
for all public records, the tax lists in
Guided, are common property, and may
be inspected by every citizen. This in
spection would inevitably lead to ex-
posures that would be far from pleasant,
and might involve complications of
serious nature.
The committee on ways and means
should not place too much dependence
upon the revenue to be derived from
the income tax, for it is doubtful if the
proposition can be carried through con-
gress. No one questions the fairness of
such tax, provided it could be eQu:-
tably imposed and rigidly collected. 1t
will, however, arouse the opposition of,
large and influential class, who will
fill the lobby with agents bent on &C
complishing its defeat, and. failing i'll
this, will use every effort to defeat the
passage of any tariff measure which
shall relieve the masses of the people
from the burdens they have to bear.
1nsistence upon this scheme will prob
ably delay Indefinitely all tariff reform.
and still further compromise the posi-
ton of the Democratic party. As an
Independent measure there would be no
objections to its consideration, but as a
pant of the general plan of revision it
will be we'll to place it on side-track.
Let the income tax stand or fall upon
its own merits. 1t should not be per-
mitted to embarrass the general pro-
gramme of revision of the tariff and
internal taxation. If the committee on
ways and means is wise, it will separate
the two measures completely.