New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-15
4 DANGEROUS PROPOSAL.

State rights Democracy breaking down the
States by encroacbing upon their sources " In
come for the Federal Government breaking
down the States too, by violating the Const-
fulton in The one compact upon which the States
most Strcnuously insisted when The Union was
formed Truly. this is Il spectacle which few
would have expected ever to witness Nor would
/; ever have been witnessed but for the madness
If frcc-tradc fanaiicism. The income Tux was
made cndurablc 10 many Democrats Solcly be
cause it helped them in their warfare against
protected industries at the North. But for
others no doubt. il is Il valid excuse that they
were entirely ignorant Of the sound AMI Suit
cicnt reason for the Constitutional restriction Of
direct taxes by the Federal Government. 1t was
not Il within. not Il vague and empty theory. hut
Il profound appreciation of The fact that only
the people of each State can be safely ntrIIsted
with power 10 adius; direct taxation upon the
property of that state The founders of the Re-
public knew that the independence Of the state
could in no way be- preserved. nor the power
Of the people 10 regulate their own local affairs
If, under any gu>c or prctcXt power should
bc given 10 one State Ia lay direct taxes upon
The property in another State.
Hence il was that, in appor;ioning III" sources
Of revenue between the general Government
and the States the founders Of The Republic
gave exclusive and absolute power over direct
taxation 10 the States. The genera! Govern
mcnt in case Of necessity might indeed levy Iii
rect taxes. but These must be- app"riionrd among
the States according 10 population, Win IN"
obvious Consequence that each state would men
raise the proportion allotted To- II by what''"r
method it might deem best suited 10 IN" wei
fare and wishes Of lis people. ih'ir cuisines" III
tercsIs and the nature of their property. The
general Government would then get the revenue
needed. hut each State would prrs"ry" Us "N-
elusive power uf determining what KIND al Ill
rect taxation should be laid on The property ~ H.
citizens. by this adjustment one great s'IIc"
of revenue preserved for th" state. - II
could not have been il The Federal Government
had been permitted to lay taxes on ih" lnnd or
the mines. the invested capital or The incomes ~
the people. Al the same Zine the independents"
OF The States was preserved, 80 that each c'uid
deal rs lis people deemed best with Oh" ISSUES
between labor ana capital. landlord ami tenant.
borrower and lender. and between one Kind II
property and another.
In the light of later events il cannot be- said
thar any other Of the many compromises ~ III"
Constitution was more slgncipuS ih1n his. or
more necessary 10 promote 'h" general welfare"
Had the farming States been able Ia levy taxes
AT will upon manufacturing and mining property.
or had manufacturing or mining states been all"
10 levy taxes az will upon property in farming
States The Mon could not hay" been preserved.
nor could il ever have extended To- Immigrants
Of all CLASSES and occupations The m'asur" Of
welcome and sure defence in their Interests and
rights which stimulated the growth aud secured
| the prosperity Of IN" Nation. \ blessed thing IT
is that during all the Shiftings Of public opinion
within the last century, II has never been possible
| for temporary majority in Congress 10 give
| vent Ia envy or ill-fccng of one section toward
another, or Of other classes Of property holders
| toward either in direct taxation by Federal
| power.
| 1t has been left for the State Rights Democracy
| for the Democracy which 50 long insisted upon a
strict construction Of the Constitution. 10 propose
| an overthrow of Constitutional barriers In order
| to deprive the States Of their allotted source of
revenue ana their only means of sup
port II has been left for that party 70 propose
Il revolutionary change hy which the money
| lenders and mortgagcoWncrs of the East might
whenever they could control or buy votes enough.
| levy such taxes rs they please on farms OF the
West and plantations Of the South. For. if The
| power is once given 10 the general Government
| 10 impose direct taxes, il is as likely TO be
! welded in the end by concentrated and pow
crful minority rs 10y Il majority, and rs
| likely To be abused in direction as In an
! other Kansas and Tennessee are each secure.
under the Constitution rs il stands. against any
direct taxation Of property dictated by the In
| tercsts Of other States or sections. Yet some Of
| their representatives are wild enough 10 propose
| the overthrow OF the Constitutional barrier
| which thus defends them.