The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-16
81 SUMTER. S. c, WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1894.
The Income Tax Limited.

We do not know the precise status of
the income tax in all particulars as last
revised and amended. While as first
reported it was something defective,
and did not 60 far enough. was not
drastic enough, it was in the right
direction-placing a needed tax upon
the wealth of the country.
The people should never stop agitat-
ing, voting and iostructiug until they
secure the incorporation and establish
log of the principle of taxation that
lays the tax burdens upon wealth aud
not upon the poverty of the land. Un-
der the villainous tariff tax robbery, the
burden has mainly been upon the
poorer classes, while the rich have been
very lightly touched, aud have rolled
in luxury and had all the protection
| that a great Government could extend
to life. liberty and immense property.
The late W. n. Vanderbilt owned
s53, coo, 900 Of United States bonds
drawing annually his 4 or 5 per cent.
interest on them, and not paying one
cent in taxes upon the enormous sum.
But the poor men must pay both in-
come tax in New York and North Caro-
lima, and also be bled at every pore
under the blood-suckiog. scoandrelly
robber tariff tax laid by the greedy
and false Republicans. Of the 10
famies of the ages this is one of the
most grievous and and indefensible.
The people should never stop until
taxes are equalized, aud men are made
to pay for protection in life. liberty aud
property according to their actual
wealth aud benefits received.
The amended income tax is a bone
thrown to the Senators. The Demo-
Gratis in their tariff bill placated kick
ing Democrats who favored protection
-Gormau, Hill, Brice, Morgan and
some other unworthy tariff tinkers-
and gave the East in part what it
clamored for, aud now 10 the income
tax the enemies are to be paclhed to
some extent If possible and so the
changes reported. Let us take what
We can get from this Congress with
thanksgiving. A half loaf is better
than no bread. We shall all be duly
thankful for such small favors as are
granted. aud will not be too particular
lin looking the gift horse 10 the
mouth" The changes may really be
in some instances desirable. If it is
not such a bill as will bring 10 the
money aud reach the rich men who are
to perjure themselves as their friends,
the organ grinders. have foretold. then
the people must see to it that a better:
more far reaching, more successful la"
it passed.
The people want and mean to have
good, strong bill-one that '~'raises the
wind" They will not be fooled With
or satisfied with any thing less than
thorough income tax measure. The
fact that the law stops at FIVE years il
very Objectionable and in fact a con-
fession that the law is perhaps wrong
is unjust. This is not so. 1t is the
most righteous and just of tax laws.
and to limit its operations is a cowardly
concession. but is quite characteristic
of the present body-the Fifty-thire
Congress.
If the income tax is right and right
eous. sound and just, it is so for al
time, for any time. If the principle il
an equitable aud moral one, as we'll a
wise and fair, it is a principle to b.
relied upon and enforced not for fv'
years merely but for all the years. X
limit it is to make the humiliatiDg i
conceded acknowledgement that it il
unjust and %unrighteous.
But it is all right and fair and honor
able to lay a tax upon Sc. 1000, 600 PEG
pie not for Eve years but for all time
that another favored 1000, 900 may
grown fat aud kick. The principle o
protection is robbery-it is actually
stealing. But that principle finds I
place in a Democratic tariff it seems
With the Democratic confession tina
the iucome tax is wrong and must b.
limited. it ought to strengthen Hill ane
its enemies in their purpose to fight t.
a ~fnish.-Wilmington Messenger.
Peabody Scholarships.