The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-10-31
c.cAE1ERoN ,HE INCOME Tx.
Striking and Convincing Argument by the
Leader of The New York Bar

James G.. Carter, who stands at the
head of the bar iu NV York city Is
one of those VINO, az am early stage lu
the late session OF Congress, recognized
The Igslrc OF an income tax ana pub
hcIy advocated such ii wise measure for
raising revenue. AT q meeting held at
Cooper iu~tI-u.c during the spring 10 urge
ul'u Congress the passage of the VIII
son bill. Nh. Garter made notable
speech ON the income tax, which hg mann
tanned had many things 10 commend IL
over any other form oi taxation.
he income AK being now "a law ana
exciting much pubic discussion. Mr.
Carter was yesterday seen by "a reporter
OF the Ntrld and asked for a further
exposition of his views.
Il dId not said Mr.. Carter in my
speech 10 which you refer express any
approval of tn particular income tax
then proposed, for ! had not read j., and
had no knowledge of its particular pro
visions. / designed only to say that the
mere fact that Congress sought 10 make
BP Tor the revenue which would result
from It's proposed reduction ln customs
duties ought not Of itself bee a vuucu-
sIvc objection to the proposed tariff Tee
form / did say that / believed. ana ]
StIll believe that an income tax h. IN
principle just, indeed IN, most just OF all
methods of raising a public revenue.
Il SAID at the same time that there
was a very serious difficulty connected
with most schemes for imposing such
a tax. which was that h. could not lee
fully and justly collected, that SO much
had To he left Ca the conscience Of each
Individual concerning the amount Of his
income thai che danEcr Was that the
dishonest and INSCRIPTIONS would con-
cra! their incomes, and thereby AVOID
the burden, Whlle others who made an
honest disclosure would be- compelled 10
bear it, This objection is one which
does not touch The principle of an in
come tax, bu, concerns The methods by
which IL Is imposed
OBJECTIONS ANswfrrp.
There are, however methods by
which this difficulty may be- greatly d.
hlIIllShed, u not wholly removed. How
S"''t>SluI the trainers of the scheme
contained in the reformed tarin have
been IN this particular / DO not know.
LOT ! nave not AS yet carefully studied
me details Of the present tax 1 OBJ
sitou TO this tax is based upon assertions
mat IL Is m-Amertcau, that IL is class
taxation, thdt IL is sectional taxation
unequal, oppressive, etc.
do not think any of these objections
wei rounded. ana fer the mos, part they
are appeals 10 prejudice and not TO req
son. The first principle upon which taxa
Ion should DE based Is TO make the bur
zen Ii9pGrlonate 10 the ability TO bear
a5.3 anu mere Is no single test of the
""'lllS 10 Dear public burden 50 good
enjoys. ''''>'' d sun
There is another fundamental rule
III itldtlun TO taxation which makes
taxation OF incomes preferable az A
matter OF justice To other forms of tax
aHVH' anu that Is that State in RAISING
us puble revenue should never invade
Its principal. bur cunilne itself sri,i,-
10 the profits of the community 4 tay
lald directly upon property NAV sTJ
often does, invade the principal sum 80
II mas 10 be paid whether The pronertl.
has been productive of profit ar NO.,
whereas tax upon income never in
vades the principal az
There is still another highly i,,,o.
tant frlnciple OF taxation i'm rasraa,
TO which the income tax is far sIinaril.
20 other modes of raising revenue ana
IN particular 10 the method OF indirert
taxation. This principle Is thar tgNss
should be 50 laid that the citizen sbgI
know Just how much is taken from hin,
when II Is taken and how IL is takar
II IS only by an observance Of This rlIo
that the citizen is prompted and en-
Abled 10 scruunize and Judge of tho
economy AMI wisdom with which tho ~.
lars Of his government are conducted
ana 10 properly regulate the economy ~
his own life Vi
NOT US-ANFBfCAS.
To say that the tax Is un-American "
continued Mr.. Carter is TO no purpose