The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-27
TIE IsconK tax.

The income tax now under discussion
before the senate IL not Democratic doc
trine, nor Republican doctrine: il l. sheer
Populism aud socialism IL = not an
honest income tar. like that introduced IN
other civilized countries; il is pure class
legislation; il Is not an snergent tax like
our "war" income tax which we submit
ted to, Just as We did to 'sthe greenback,
because it vas the peoples money or the
nations life; II is. IS Senator Hill, OF New
York. fairly says. nothing but class lsgls-
latson. and in essence nothings but the
central principle Of communism.
1t has been called for by the Popuiists
and Social Labor party, By 100000 Of
votss TO II, 0O0 900 votes Senator Hill
Gays Of It:
II protest against the Reputation OF the
promise OF the Democratic party, IN order
10 adopt and carry out the promises OF
the Populist party. The most disastrous
defeat ever experienced by the Demo-
cratic party Ia Oregon was the result OF
an effort 10 substitute new-fangied Popu-
list principles for the good old principles
Of true Democracy. II this is the best
leadership we can present IN this great
crisis for one must decline to follow II
! repudiate the spurious democracy OF the
modern apostles and prophets. who are
part Mugwumps and part Populists-"
The New York EUening Post. DEM, de-
nounces the tax as unnecessary, as OBJ
vioussy and by intent class tax. In
Europe when countries are forced TO levy
an income tax for public revenues they
levy 1t on incomes down 10 $3.50. as in En-
gland, or less as 10 Germany. and do not
single out small fraction of the people
for spoliation. II the income tax were
really necessary it would be necessary on
small.incomes as well as large. and the
fact that congress does not propose 1t on
smah incomes shows that il is not neces-
sary on large ones. Senator Hill is right
therefore in denouncing it as q socialistic
income tar. Bourke Cochran, Democrat.
opposed il in the house on the ground that
the wage earners would pay every dollar
of IL directly or indirectly. In substance
he said:
.If the landlords were taxed upon their
incomes the landlords would Immediately
place this extra taxation upon the rents,
the greatest majority of which are paid by
the wage earners, who would either be
compelled 10 pay IL or vacate. III the
farmer was taxed in excess of what he
already is he would at once add the adj
ditionai tax to the cost OF his produce,
which the majority of people who are the
wage earners in this country would have
TO pay or be deprived of their use."
We have already pointed out that every
small investor in corporations, whether
savings banks, mutual life insurance. rail-
road stocks or building and loan associa-
lions would be heavily taxed under this
law; so with a transportation company.
Before they would reduce their dividends
to make mp this deficiency they would at
once add the extra tax to cost of freight
charges as we'll as on fares. The result is
that the majority Of the people will pay
these increased fares and higher freight
charges either on the shipment of the
goods or on the price when placed on sale.
The Democratic party declared such a tax
to be unconstitutional during war times
when such tax was really necessary to
meet the running expenses of the govern
ment as well as the expense of the cost of
the war. Nevertheless indications point
to the adoption Of this tax by the senate
All the Democrats except nine, at the
most. will vote for the tax, the exceptions
being Hill and Murphy. of New York /;
Smith and Mcpherson. of New Jersey !;
Gray, Of Delaware; German and Gibson,
of Maryland; Camden. of West Virginia,
and Villas, of Wisconsin.
All the Republicans, except seven at the
most. will oppose the tax, the exceptions
being from the trans Mississippi region
aud including Teller and Wolcott, of Colo
RADIO; Dubois, of Idaho; Power, of Mon
tana; Mitchell, of Oregon; Pettlgrew, OF
South Dakota, and Hansbrough, of North
Dakota. The three Populists will support
the tax.
The indications point to a division of
this character;
For. AoGfsEt.
democrats -s.s...+s.--.
kepuphcans ..-..s...-..-...-...s+-s. 81
fopuLists- ...............s......+....
Aotsis .ss.-.ssss s.ss-ss.s.s...sss. W
On this basis the tax would be approved