The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-05-02
The Income Tax in Operation.

Here nre two pleasing pictures for self
respecting, high-spirited Americans to con-
template. They portray the actualities
OF the income tax. without regard to its
ethics: the natural and inevitable develop
ment Of an abominable spy system and an
insulting inquisition. In Its attempted en-
forcement. And this. too. In the admins
tration OF portions of the income-tax law
with which the painters of the pictures de-
clare they have no fault to find.
The independent American citizen may
first see. as In the WILSON bill. darkly.
foreshadowing OF what the Populist tink-
ers are planning for him, In the way the Ger
man incometax inspector sets about veri-
flying the citizens own statement OF his in
come. 1t is told by the Berlin correspond
ent Of the London Neps Of the World:
-First the agent of the tar collector is always on
the spy to ascertain from shopkespsrs nsghbor and
servants all the gossip bearing the victims style OF
living Next. ho watches for the moment when patsr.
familias leaves home for his once. then he makes .
hawk plunge for the door. and asks to monsieur.
The latter being out and madame in he requests to
her: asks ut what 10 the income OF her husband
stating that he is an agent Of the revenue Office lie
requests be shown the rooms notes All valuable
cArpets pictures kc; questions how long they have
resided at the seaside that year; what dinner parties
anu tney gave. 'they nave Deen Al the
theatre; the NUMBER OF registered letters that
delivered 20 them by the postman. The poor WIFE
next TO terrified. babbes answers to all the ToRauE-
NADIA question: The agent retirsL A month later
the tax Eathsrsr informs you that increase OF 20
per has been added to the bill The citizen
may ErowL protest. but he must nrst pay and then
TO court to establish the niauity Of the
The appeal court is rarely rssortsd to- a. provsbaL
~ supports the Treasury"
The other picture. by the London Pail
Mall Gazette. Is English. and depicts some
ABUSES that mar the administration even
OF sections OF the income tax acts, with
the provisions Of which. as they stand. there
is no fault to DO found" The greatest
amount Of secrecy is maintained by the
authorities with regard to the instructions
given to surveyors OF income tax. The tax
payer Is not permitted. under any circum-
stances. to know Just how far the power OF
the inspector extends. Quite naturally.
1.-THE greatest OF the administrative griev-
ances finds its origin In the ignorance the
despotism. and the irresponsibiity of the
Commissioners" Charged with the en-
forcement OF a despotlc law. they naturally
become petty despots. and constitute "a
positive danger TO those who appear before
them in the hope % obtaining Justice
The appellant 10 usually looked upon ~ guilty from
the nrsL AZ rule he 10 asked some questions usually
impugninE his vsracity scarcely Allo ed say any
thing in defence Of his statement and accounts which
are regarded false and fraudulent; has oppor-
tunity allowed him OF CORRECTING the slightest tnvo-
untAry and is out OF the ROOM while asses
and surveyor remain to influence ihs commisslo
era who are judge and Jury. by statements witch
the absent accused has no means OF collaborating"
And 1t is to the countries from which
these reports come that the advocates OF
the income tax refer for support OF the
abomination. And these are the Ubiquitous.
insu1erable conditions they would intro
duce into American life. and impose on free
American citizens.