The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-06-07
THE IDEA SHOULD BE BURIED.
Turning Down OF the Democratic In
come Tax Measure.

come Tax Measure.
While 1t is true that, until after the
presidential election, no provision can
be made for increasing federal revenue
from customs duties, there is no need
Of concern relative TO the finances of
the national government Legislation
to increase its income by a stamp tax
on money evidences of wealth may be
secured in the interval. and from this
source 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 1t is also practicable so to
alter the excise as to secure twenty
or thirty millions a 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 IN
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
emit from what it is to-day. Then, with
capital timorous and inert, trade pros
trate and universal lack of confidence
in the immediate future. there would
have been grave danger of panic.
The serenity with which announce
ment 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
FORCES 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-
ierred. period of renewed vigor and
assured prosperity. A deficit of fifty
million dollars gives no concern either
70 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 statute which would
secure the application of the tax by
appOrtionment upon the states? As
3 sectional majority imposed the
income tax in a manper designed
expressly to lay its burden on the
north, il is not likely that the next
congress would be able to enact an
amended statute which would dis
tribute the tax equally over that por-
ton % 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 ma
tional government There is a pro-
found reluctance to alter the constitu-
ton, 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-
The fact is the country does not want
an income tax laid either directly or
indirectly, either by the federal gov
eminent or by state government. 1t
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
& as the desired and final end of the
ihcome-tax proposal in any form what
ever in time of peace in the United
States.
American morality is at the basis of
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 a tax is desirable, necessary
or tolerable. Issues of bonds in the
manner already accomplished BY Pres
ident Cleveland; issue of small, low
interest-bearing popular bond, as one
of the easiest of expedients; popular
Endorsement of increased impost on
luxuries, whether at ports of entry or
through the internal revenue system;
a slight stamp tax on paper evidences of
wealth, combine to render further dis
cussion 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-
naN@RHE@e