The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-10-12
the ARGUMENT AGAINST The IN
COME TAX.

We have been several times asked re-
GENTLY why we disapproved the income 'aA
which the Democratic party "ed i'se"
90 IN Congress, and. although we re-
neatedIv stated the objections to 1t az
the time IL was before Congress- we "hi
briefly state them again.
The law as passed eXempts from TAXA
tlon all incomes under 5000. III does
not. as many suppose, Impose tax OH
5000. II man has an income OF that
size. 1t taxes $1,000 only In That case
In other words. 1t eXempts A"o from
taxation, even TO those on whom IL I'M
noses the tax Now II Is expected that
shis tax will raise 100000 annually, ana
A. is estimated that there are only $4,000
persons IN the United states who have
incomes above $500, so that this 10000
900 will be taken exclusively from $4,000
out of 100000 1t will, therefore, be
class tax 1t will be a tax taken from
a very small part of the population, which
ought In fairness to be distributed over
the whole population.
There is only one principle upon which
government can be fairly conducted, ana
that Is 10 make all contribute 10 It's
support in proprtion 10 their means. III
great tax, as In this case, is imposed
exclusively upon very small class, that
class must necessarily feel that they are
treated unfairly and unjustly. and they
must have feelings OF resentment at that
treatment.
Then see the result. III the principle be
admitted that special tax may be Inn
posed upon these $1,000, then the amount
Of that tax may be whatever those who
impose 1t choose TO make IL. II is now
per cent. on all over $4,000 but If II
can be imposed at all, there is nothing
10 prevent its being 10 per cent. or loo
per cent. In other words. If 1t be con-
cedef that these people can be made
the subject of tax that Is imposed upon
them alone, then we can make IL large
enough to compel them to bear the entire
burdens of government, and take from
them everything else that they have.
The thing Is unfair. unjust. un-Democratic,
populistc and confiscatory
The Times wishes TO say again distinct
ly that its opposition 10 the income tax
Is due. not so much 20 the nature of any
income tax. as 10 the special inequity OF
this income tax, We think a lust and
fairly drawn income tax great improve
ment upon any tariff We are likely to pc,
for many years. II We could do so. we
would gladly exchange the tariff as n IL
for just income tax But we revoI,
al the idea of a tax which secregatos
any class OF our citizens as special OH
3eets OF public injury or benefaction. NOT
less IN income than in tariff legislation
III Is monstrous 10 us TO have p ge,nro,
TAX the discussion OF which before .,,,
audience throughout the country wonId
concern but few persons present. and IN
MOST audiences would concern mona
Is d vicious principle 10 instil into tbs
minus OF our people-all should pay alike,
we quote from speech made IN the
senate by Senator Hin On Aprl , ,(a,
the following admirable detencs az a.,
on whom II is sought to imoo.o 4,
i listened the other day with CON
s"ra. interest 10 the dist nguisbe1
cations or the people In This coun mn,
who have been fortunate enough Vri''ts
muiate competence. lie 1sa-lv W
hausted the Vocabulary OF aSuse !, r.
them. ''0" against
He rebnked their narrow and c,r,.,,
ing seifshness;' their "dange-oIs -,
tensions and intolerable a,rogancS - he
described their brutal diciati1 n" a ,, nc
tnraided their unjust. relentless. unspar-
ing, ana fnsoient conduct; he pictnTaa
their wealth as the "Nlezittntts &c e.
spring OF governmental pa,ernaBsn :,
and characterized them as vi hn',
gratitude. or love OF country" heinz be inv
Yuted TO them an intention ana xt,, i
ness TO commit perjury and other c,,,,' -.
Tor which the convict stripes OF Inc
penitenutry are the only Dunishmena =
and then, having summarily adIndeed
s,n geiiy without court or luTy, he
declares them to he ''nt assoc 'ates tnr
thieves. housebreakers. forgers and eut
tnroats; and not SATISFIED with this ter
uele humiliation which he inflicted ,,f o,
sastns ana Notwithstanding his well.