The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-05-18

lnyldious, unpopular unjust Inouisi-
torlal," but in his search for contem-
porary opinions he had found almost
unusual commentator instead of on
position, and to subStantiate this he
quoted to some extent from Nation in
It's issue of November 18th. 1869.
which strongly favored it, and declar-
ed there was no complaint except
from those who favored other modes
OF taxation, and that it was not evad-
ed to any greater extent than any
other form OF taxation. The tax. he
said, was unpopular with many of the
rich who would have to pay it. but
this, he argued, was rather in it's
favor.
lie believed it was also objected to
by the protectionists from the fear
that 1T would overthrow their system
OF taxation, Considering the charges
made against the tax that it was I'M
necessary, unjust, unsuccessful. I'M
popular, undemocratic and un-Ameri-
can, he argued that from certain sell
fish standpoints this was true, but on
the broad plane of Justice and fairness
it was not. In conclusion, he said:
The income tax is necessary from a
far seeing policy; is just in princinIe
and may be made so in practice: il
has been and may still be made sue
cessful; it is not unpopular with the
| majority Of our citizens: it has the
essence of true democracy in it: no
tax is more in accordance with the
principles on which the United States
OF America are based: an ounce of
preventive is worth a pound of cure.
there are symptoms of disease, here is
mighty recommended, safe remedy
which good or useless in it's effect in
| staying the disease is still certainly
not beneath our notice and our trial.
The debate was opened by Mr. H.
l.. Schmitt, who, while agreeing with
the theory advanced by the paper
| took exceptions to its workings. He
did not believe the time had yet ar
rived for it's successful trial in this
country. He also entered several
other objections Of a practical nature.
Gen. b. M. Pope approved of the
paper, and said he was heartily in
favor of an income tax. He believed
1t to be the correct method of raising
at least portion of the nations reve-
nues. He did not consider MANY of
the objections brought against the in
come tax as possessing much weight
or merit. He did not propose to de-
fend any particular bill framed for
that purpose, that might be faulty
and unjust, the principle was what
we should get at, and that was cor
rect.
Several others followed, approving
much that was in the paper, and be-
lieving that an income tax was correct
in theory and ought to be in practice,
and that it was but simple Justice
that wealth should pay it's fair share
of the burdens of government, but
there were some features connected
with, which it seemed to them would
work an injustice. Numerous points
were cited along this line.
Mr.. b. ID. Smith took some excep-
lions to the paper, whether for the
purpose of stirring up discussion or
not we do not know. He pointed out
What seemed to him to be objections
to the working of the tax He also
read several extracts from the speech
of Senator Smith, of New Jersey,
against the tax.
Several others discussed various
points OF the question pro and con,
but the general sentiment seemed to
be in favor Of the income tax feature.
THE COCIAI CrIENTE Chip AMI