Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-17
T HE INCO ME TAX
What Representative Tarsney Has to Say
of This Measure

Representative John c. Tarsney of Mis-
souri, is one of the democratic members of
the ways and means committee of the
House. Mr.. Tarsney is an enthusiastic ad-
vocate Of the proposition to tax incomes.
Conversely he opposed the suggestion OF re-
porting the income tax a measure separ-
ate and distinct from the tariff BILL
Mr.. Tarsney stated this morning that an
effort would probably be made before the
tariff bill is disposed of to add the income
tax as an amendment.
DO you think" Mr.. Tarsney was asked,
that the House will adopt that motion?"
Il think" said Mr.. Tarsney, speaking
with unusual elaboration. that q large ma
Jority of the House is favorable to an in
come tax. If the test were made by q
square vote. uninfiuenced by other consider
ations. the proposition would carry handily" :"
What was the purpose of reporting the
bill separately"
Il could not with propriety discuss the
purposes of the committee or the motives
or views Of its members. Personally, was
in favor of reporting II and offering il as an
amendment to the tariff bill, in order that
we might present to the Senate a complete
revenue measure: one that will not only
reduce taxation upon the consumption of
the people. as we are commanded to do,
but also to provide the revenues to keep the
machinery Of the government running. /
am not willing that We should send a meas
ure TO the Senate properly revising the
customs schedules and emitting to provide
the required revenues for the support of
the government rendered necessary by such
revision.
"One of the objections to the income tax
is that ii is alleged to come under the head
OF class legislation. What have you to say
to that argument?
Il don't think" said Mr.. Tarsney. lit is
open TO that objection. On the contrary,
believe IL to be the most equitable system
yet devised for raising revenue. / have
not based my support Of ii upon the theory
that II will simply relieve the poor, and
place the burden upon the rich. 1t does not
embrace any such element Of communism,
Whatever. 1t " designed stmply to- adjust
the burdens OF supporting the government
SO as to place upon the wealth of the
ernment." continued Mr.. Tarsney, lis in
stituted to protect the life, liberty and
property Of its citizens. Each Citizen
should contribute to the support of the
government In proportion to the protection
ne receives and In proportion to the cost
his protection entails upon the government.
while 1t might be said. although not with
accuracy. that each citizen receives an
equal degree OF protection from govern
ment, relating to life and liberty, and
should therefore contribute equally to the
support of government
rms Is certainly not true with relation
10 property or the cost or benefits of gov
ernmental protection when applied thereto
The benefits of government which each
citizen derives by the protection of his
property are accurately measured by the
proportion of his undivided wealth to the
aegregate wealth Of the country. and his
contributions to the support of Government
should be measured by the benefits he re-
ceiVes ana the cost which his protection
receSSitateS"
We further favor an income tax because
II VIII provide part of our system for OBJ
tanning revenues which enables us at any
time to adjust our fiscal affairs to meet the
changed condition of business which affect
oirectiy the revenues of the government.
ana TO provide for deficiencies or any fn1ur.
,ous surplus Of revenues, without disturb
Ing the industries of the country as we
necessarily do when We change our GUS
toms laws If, in times of depression like
to our support. and we desire to provide
for any impending deficiency we need only
to make slight Increase in the rate of the
income tax. If, on the other hand. the
commerce. OF the world is prosperous. and
our revenue is larger than We desire. we
rake corresponding decrease in the in.
come tax. And so, we meet the changed
conditions of business affecting the re.
qulrements OF the government, in either
case without disturbing the industrial or
commercial affairs of the country. For this
reason, principally. 1 advocate an income
tax. L am not SO particular however re.
garding the rate to be fixed, or the scope
and extent to which il may be applied.
simply believe IL we have IL extensive
enough to use as a lever Of equilibrium be.
tween our revenues and the wants of the
government, in the manner which / have
indicated, We will have no more such In.
dustrial disturbances as every threatenad
change in the tariff rates have produced"