The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-06-06
BURY THE IDEA.
..r,rr Down of the Democratic The
 come Tax Measure.

come Tax Measure.
 While it is true that, until after the ,-,sidential election, no provision can he made for increasing federal revenue trou customs duties, there is no need nt concern relative to the finances of tbe national government. Legislation tn increase its income by stamp tax m money evidences of wealth may be socured in the interval, and from this soprce alone sufficient revenue may be had to cover the present deficit or any extension of it which may arise from further shrinkage of custom-house receipts. It is also practicable so to alter the excise as to secure twenty or thirty millions year annually above the present sum from malt and alcoholic liquors. The next congress can choose one of several bridges over the gulf created by the decision of the supreme court on the income tax, and any legislation to this end will un- doubtedly be approved by President Cleveland.
 Had the income tax decision been given four months ago the effect of it upon the country would be very differ ent from what it is to-day. Then, with capital timorous and inert, trade pros- :rate and universal lack of confidence in the immediate future, there would have been grave danger of panic. The serenity with which announce 2ent of an annual deficit of fifty million dollars is received over the country is the most convincing proof of restored confidence. The announce ment comes simultaneously with the raise of wages east and west, with re- opening of factories, relighting of forges and resounding of long silent anvils. In every section of the coun- try that animation is manifest, which assures a long continued If late de- ferred, period of renewed vigor and assured prosperity. A deficit of fifty million dollars gives no concern either to the government or to the people.
 Why, then, talk of accomplishing the purpose of the defeated income tax by constitutional amendment, or by construction of a statute which would secure the application of the tax by apyortionNent upon the states? As sectional majority imposed the income tax in a manner designed expressly to lay its burden on the north, it is not likely that the next congress would be able to enact an amended statute which would dis tribute the tax equally over that DOT ton ot the country from which the vote that passed the annulled measure was mainly secured. Nor is it evident that, slow as the process would be, the required number of states could be in- duced to assent to a change in the con- stitution so radically touching the sen sitive line between federal and state sovereignty. There is no indisposition among Americans to support the na- tional government, There is pro- found reluctance to alter the constitu- tion, and this reluctance, not altogether reasonable, has delayed, and doubtless will continue to delay, adoption of amendments more urgently needed than one securing an income tax through apportionment -..--..
 
 an income tax laid either directly or indirectly, either by the federal gov ernment or by state government IL does not want an income tax in any form. Public opinion has not only re- ceived notification of the income-tax law with serenity, but has welcomed it as the desired and final end of the income-tax proposal in any form what ever in time of peace in the United States.
 American morality is at the basis ot resentment toward the income tax idea. Americans, as a rule, resent needless intrusion into their private affairs. American conscience abhors the temptation an income tax law, federal or state affords for perjury. American common sense knows per fectly we'll that there is not the slight est need of an income tax for the sup port of the federal government. The support can be found in so many way, all of them simpler and surer, that it is not only repugnant to the logic of the nation, but even absurd, to suggest that such tax is desirable, necessary or tolerable. Issues of bonds in the manner already accomplished by Pres ident Cleveland; issue of a small, low interest-bearing popular bond, as one of the easiest of expedients; popular indorsement of increased impost on luxuries, whether at ports of entry or through the internal revenue system; aslight stamp tax on paper evidences of wealth, combine to render further dis tcussion of the income tax idea needless as means of raising federal revenue.
 The whole country rejoices that the income tax is dead. Now let the idea of an income tax be buried.-Chicago Times-Herald.