The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-10-19
Friday, Oct. 10, 1894.
A New Era i'm Taxation.

There is a great change in the systems
of taxation in vogue in the United
States near at hand. The great changes
which science has wrought within the last
half century has almost entirely revolu-
tionized the modes of industry throughout,
This change has unjointed old systems
and produces such friction as threatens to
smash the whole machinery of govern
ment. The natural propensity of the
majority for holding on to old ways and
old usages is being wrested and twisted as
never before. Gradually they are relin-
gushing their old preconceived ideas and
beginning to wonder if they might not
have been mistaken in their inherited
beliefs, and if it may not be possible that
their old things, like former generations
old things, may not be out of date, and if
it may not be unwise to try to adjust them
to the new civilization which has sprung
up around them, and is fighting for more
room and more freedom to expand.
This thought is steadily breaking up
the crust of conservatism and weakening
the opposition to the new era which is to
lift the twentieth century to loftier EN-
inence than ever has been occupied by
the human race.
The reign of rascality under old party
discipline has never attained such proper
+;o.e nc - I, -, +l,;c co,,ptr,, x.,itIir, tho
last thirty-two years. 1t commenced in
the middle of the war of the great slave
holders rebellion and has steadily pro-
crossed till now. The last session of
Congress did more to open the eyes of
the common mass of people than any one
development of rascality in all this period
of the third of century. The open brib-
cry and corruption practiced in the franz
ing and passage of the last tariff law has
acted as the waters of the pool of Sloan
on the blind mans eyes. The republican
party has we'll nigh abandoned their rum
tossed theory of making nation rich
and prosperous by high tariff. The fact
that few rich manufacturers do not con-
stitute the prosperity of a nation is DEM
onstrated by the widespread we'll nigh
ruin, which is witnessed on every hand.
Within the last few months there has
been a greater accession to the partisans
of free trade which aims at the destruction
of the custom house, than in years before.
The free trade of the politician, which
meant nothing, is rapidly giving way tc
the aggressive advance of the come Out
free traders. Other means of raising
revenue are being examined and the
more they are looked into the more
simple and equitable they appear A
statistical examination of the modern
means of transportation, shows thai
taken out of the hands of corporation:
and placed under government ownership
the fare and freights ofthe railroads could
be reduced two-t thirds from present rate:
and furnish abundant means to defray
every expense of government.
The telegraph and telephone system
which should be branch of the pos
office department, would yield hand
some revenue for public use, with the
present charges reduced one half. Anc
then the almost limitless resources fol
public use which could be drawn from
the rental value of land is being urged by
rapidly increasing phalanx of advocates
All these new sources of taxation pre-
sent the strongest reasons for radica
change in creating a fund for the public
use, while at the same time wiping en-
tirely out of existence the antiquated sys
tenn ofraising revenue by the inquisitoria
and feudal mode of personal property tax
The advocates of all of these reform:
are steadily coming together and finding
expression and consideration in the
Peoples party, while the two old partie:
have nothing but the dry husks of anti
quated systems to offer to the people
who are YEARLY turning away from them
to the living issues offered by the People:
party. 1t will be a bright day for the
honest toiling masses who have been vol
untary slaves SO long for the benefit of al
idle, wasteful few, when the tax assessor
ceases to call on them to render al
account of their little property and pay
down a heavy tax to the collector, and al
taxes are collected from public utilize:
and every one pays in proportion to the
opportunities he enjoys by their use.
These changes will mark the new er;
that is about opening up for mankind
when the old parties will be driven into
the wildness like the scape-goat, bearing
their dead issues which are the sins of the
people.