The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-10-31
SHIFT THE BURDEN
AN INCOME TAX WOULD LlFrA LOAD
FROM THE HEAVY LADEN.

How tho Rich May be Compelled to Con-
tribute Somewhat In Proportion to tho
Benefits They Enjoy-The Poor Now Pay
tho Larger Share.
A prominent member of the ways and
means committee is reported to have
said few days ago:
LAS the matter now stands, without
touching any of the items Of the present
law, we are confronted by deficit of at
least $50,000,000. The probabilities are
that the changes we will make in the
schedules will still further increase that
sum, and the new articles to be placed
on the free list will lose their revenue
producing power. When we have found
out the total, we shall know whether it
will be necessary to tax sugar or incomes
or increase the tax on beer and spirits"
This would be startling news if it were
the first report of the kind that had
come from Washington during the pres
emit administration. But it is an open
secret that many prominent Democrats
are estimating the probable revenue
from duties on sugars and by doubling
the tax on beer. Why should the DEM
ocratic lawmakers-the representatives
of the tax burdened masses-hesitate to
compel the rich, now practically exempt
from taxation, to contribute somewhat
in proportion to the special benefits
which they enjoy from governmental
protectionp
The only possible excuse for such hest
fancy would be the probable inability to
| make up the deficit from the taxation of
incomes, but this reason is not discussed
If it were and the prevailing opinion was
that not more than half of the probable
deficit of 500, 100000 or $40, 900, 900 could
be obtained from an income tax, it would
still be incumbent upon real Democrats
to consider this and all other kinds of tax
alton which shall rest mainly on the I'M
burdened shoulders of the rich before
casting about for the easiest way of adj
justing the increased load to the lame and
sore shoulders of the poor. If this question
were referred back to the people, would
there be any doubt rs to the choice?
Gentlemen of this republic, we've got
to have more revenue. Shall we increase
the tax on your sugar and beer or shall
we tax large incomes-say all above
SCOOP ''Tax incomes" would be the
certain and almost unanimous response
at present the federal government is
supported by duties and taxes on con-
sumption. This compels the man with
a family but without property to pay
more taxes than the rich man with no
family, but with much property to pro-
tect. 1t is i'll effect per capita tax of
about 81 on all consumers for the sup
port of government, with $15 or $50
added for the support of trusts and mil
lionaire pauper Industries. Undoubtedly
under the present system, from one
tenth to one-tifth Of the earnings of those
whose incomes are less than 81 900 is
taken in the form of federal taxation,
while from those whose incomes exceed
$40 900 not per cent is so taken
| If the poor and the rich were to con-
tribute according to their abilities and
| in proportion to the benefits received
from the government, it is probable that
larger percentage of the incomes of
the rich than of the poor would be taken
In taxation. Thus man with an in
come of $50, 900 could live royalty if only
one-half of it were left him, but the man
whose income is only $500 must pinch
and perhaps starve if half of it be taken
in taxation.
No income tax can be made so effect
i've as to make the rich carry their full
share of the burden of taxation. One
might, however, do much to relieve the
staggering load on the poor In 1891 the
New York Tribune published list of
over 1000 millionaires in this country.
AS some were rated at over 500 ,O0O, 900
each and many at more than $50 900 900.
it is safe to say that there are now (after
three years of Mckinley trust fattening
legislation) 5000 persons worth an aver
age of about $4,000000 each. At per
cent the average income of these would
beS2OO,OO An income tax of 10 per cent,
II paid in full by these 5000 citizens.
would produce arevenue of $780, 900 600
AS, however, large proportion of these
fortunes Is invested in idle lands and
lots and producing no income except
from the increase in land values, which
does not show itself until the land is
sold, these investors, though they may
double their wealth every 10 years,
would seldom be found paying an in
come tax.
Railroad wreckers are another class
that would largely escape any income
tax. Many others of these wealthy citi
zens would kick and squirm out of pay
ing the income tax. In fact, it NAV be
| stated generally that this class of citi-
zens in their mad rush for wealth have
acquired business habits which leave no
time for the cultivation of patriotism or
consideration Of country, unless the
country can be worked" so as to Weld
more revenue for themselves. Hence