Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-05-23
WILMING roN. THURSDAY, MAY ss.
Income Tax Law Unconstitutional.

Income Tax Law Unconstitutional.
The. decision Of the Supreme Court Of
NE United States, as published on the
lrst page of this issue of THE GAZETTE,
3 that the income tax provisions of the
fariff law are in contravention with |
Che Federal Constitution, and therefore |
void. The court was divided, standing |
ave to four upon the question of unoon.
etitutionality, but'the result is decisive,
and the Federal income tax has been |
finally eliminated from the methods of |
raising revenue for the support of the
government of the United States.
The result will be disappointing to
none but the wild theorists who have
been contending for this iniquitous
and inquiAtive system of taxa
ton as the only one calculated to
equally distribute the burdens of
government, and make them fall
upon the rich and poor alike. But
cast experience has proved that exactly
he reverse was the rule. The income
ak, in addition, was not demanded dur
pg the campaign of 1899, when the
,eople voted so determinedly in favor
Of tariff reform. 1t was a reduction of
taxes that the people voted for, and the
Interpolation of the income tax features
into the Tariff law was an afterthoughA,
a move by those who believed they
could thereby make themselves popular
with the masses of the people. In this,
however, they were disappointed. Few
people, even among the great number
not affected by the operations of the
income tax, had word of praise to
offerin its support. The keen comprehen.
sion of the American people recognized
the system as unfair, unjust, oppressive,
Ubiquitous and inquisitorial, and there.
fore as having no place in our scheme
of popular government.
There will be few to mourn the death
of the income tax. II was an imposi-
ton that should have been frowned
upon at its inception. The deficit that
its loss may create in the revenues of
the government can easily be made up
by methods Of taxation more in con-
formity with the spirit of our institu-
tons, and more in accord with the
sound common sense of the people.
May it rest in peace and forever.
Although the decision of the Court
will materially cut down the anticipated
revenues of the government, it is not
thought that it will necessitate an extra
session of Congress, except some un.
looked for contingency arises to make it
unavoidable. 1t is known that the ad-
ministration does not regard an extra
session as necessary, although the
revenues during the last few months
have not been at all satisfactory. The
customs receipts particularly are sur
prisingly low. During last January
they reached only $17,361 ,916, and
during February they fell to $12,33s, 1SO
During March there was an increase OIL
about $2,500,000, but April showed 9
falling off to $12,453,Os6. During the
same months there has been a slight in
crease in the receipts from interna
revenue sources, those for April beinl
$10,64S,sS0. The deficit for the fisca
year on January 3lst, 1896, wa
$S4,246,3S6. On February 28th thi
had been increased to nearly $3s 900, 900
and on April Both to about $45 $780, 900
The deficit as stated on Monday wa
$51,o43,5s4.
On the subject of probable deficit
Postmasler-General Wilson, author 0
the new Tariff bill, said: 1T is not j
serious as the general view of it seem
to make it. If trade revives and con
tiuues to improve as it has of late thcr
will be revenue enough. From now Of
increasingly larger amounts of whisk,
must be taken out under the new ia.
and this increase will amount to owe
$15,000,000 year. Taken with the in
crease of revenue from customs dutie
the new tax on whisky will make u
the deficit. This month, you see, the il
ternal revenue collections are Sc 900 90
and tariff about S1000,OOO, while "
paid out over $lo,0O0,O0O. think tim,
are improving and the government wi
have all necessary revenue and the d
felt will soon be a thing Of the past
The income tax already paid, amour
ing to about $4,000, will be refunded
the parties who paid it.