The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-07


the Democrats denounced IL - . violation
Of the constitution. which declares that "no
capitation or other direct tar shall be laid,
unless in proportion 10 the census or
enumeration Of population. In war time
the people submitted to IL just a. thsy did
20 the legal tender act; 70 the draft Law,
because the patriotic desire to restore the
Gag made them non-criticsi ~ to wars
and means 10 pu. down the rebellion
The platform OF neither Of the great
parties in fs92 gave the slightest recog-
milton 20 an income tax. IL was recog-
nlzsd by the national Popul;s. platform,
whoss orators showed how easy it wonId
be TO relieve the masses of all the burdens
Of taxation by q system of progressive
TAXATION upon the incomes OF the hated
possessors of capital. The scheme in the
COMMITTEES on ways and means 10 the first
instailmens of the Popuiist programme.
1t viii be opposed by the representatives,
OF the Empire state. where there is an in
heritanee tar. The Democratic party has
heen bowling for years for the abolition Of
the war taxes. and IL proposes TO reimpose
the most unpopular Of war taxes. The
main purpose of the income tar is to dis
criminate against the well-so-do. and ifths
Democratic party advocates this tax it will
pose as the advocate Of discriminating and
unequal taxation.
IL would raise small amount of money
with very large amount OF popular dis
content. The Christian TntsIiigencsr q re-
ligious paper, has this to say of an intome
tax:
THE tar is particularly odious as being
deceit and perjury. Besides, IL operates
unfairly in other ways. During the war
for the Union q lawyer Of our acquaint-
ance was called upon by reputable firm
TO see If he could not devise some way TO
save them from making q return OF their
income. They had no objection to paying
the tar, but they said that il they told
what profits they were making inevitably
many rivals would be raised up and their
gains reduced. Surely. they had reason
on their side. No tax should interfere
with the regular prosecution of business
or hinder an enterprising firm from secur-
ing the fruits OF their industry and intelli-
gence.
This was the plea that Mr.. Tilden urged
against the income tar; he was willing to
pay the tax. but he did not wish to show
his private books and papers. The dis
honest escape while the more honest pay.
The New York Tribune says:
at is tax which offers a premium on
false swearing, concealment OF property
and income. and all kinds Of de-
vices for cheating the government.
Experience years ago taught that these
devices were demoraiizing to public
and commercial integrity. Bribery of
local officials was one Of the evil conse-
quences. An education in false swearing
aud conscience-twistiag was another. The
tax was used, moreover. In every part of
the country by some individuals 20 satisfy
their grudges against rivals in business
or to cause betrayal of business methods
and results. To tax the man who serves
his country to the value of 1000 yearly,
but exempt from taxation entirely the
man who only serves his country TO the
value OF 81. 90 yearly, is not upon the face
of things a performance calculated TO
encourage enterprise or Thrift. Nor is
there any sound reasons why such a tax
on the business ability or the enterprise
OF the country should be substituted for
duties on imports which do not add at all
10 the burden OF Americans. but which do
most effectively increase the earnings OF
iaborf"
There can be only one safe and equal
rule; the same burdens for all in the form
of taxes equally imposed in proportion to
taxable property and no favor and special
exception ios any. The proposition
for an income tax involves dis
elimination against industry and a
premium on indolenee: aud a premium
on perjury. The income tax Is a sectional
tax, advocated by the Southern members
of the ways and means committee, be-
cause they believe that the North would
pay large proportion of II; the Northern
Democratic free traders desire to substitute
the income tax as far as possible for the
protective tariff. The free traders, the i'm
porters, the socialists. or populists, the
single tax advocates advocate the income
tar. which places discount on thrift and
| = premium on Incidence, which encour-
ages perjury, and which places the private
affairs OF citizens at the mercy of public
inuuisitors