The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-13

which under1ies the income tax Some
twenty years ago this same court suS-
tanned, without dissenting voice, an
income tax law almost identical with
the one recently Overthrown; has not a
future court as much right to return to
the judicial presidents of a century as
the present court had to depart from
them When courts allow rehearing
they admit that error is possible; that
late decision against the income taXwa
rendered by majority of one after
rehearing- While the money question
OVershadows all other questions in i'm
pOrtance I desire it distinctly under
stood that I shall offer no apology for
the income tax plank of the Chicago
platform. The last income tax law
sought to apportion the burdens of the
government more equitably among
those who enjoy the protection of gov
eminent.
AT present the expenses of the fed
era1 government, conducted through
internal revenue and import duties, are
especially burdensOme upon the poor
classes OF society.
"A law which collects from some citi-
zens more than their share of taxes and
collects from others less than their
share is simply an indirect means of
transferring one mans property to an
other mans pocket and while the pro-
cess may be quite satisfactory to the
man who escapes just taxation it will
never be satisfactory to those who are
overburdened. The last income tax law
with its exception provisions when con-
sidered in connection with other meth
DDS of taxation in force was not
unjust to the possessors of large in
comes because they were not compelled
to pay total federal tax greater than
their share. The income tax is not
based upon hostility to the rich. The
system is employed in several of the
most important nations of Europe and
every income tax law upon the statute
books in any land so far as has been
ascertained contains an exemption
clause.
While the collection of an income tax
in other countries does not make it
necessary for this nation to adopt the
system, it ought to moderate the Ian
guage of those who denounce the in
come tax as an assault upon the well
to do
Not only shall 7 refuse to apologize
for the income tax law by the national
convention but I shall also refuse to
apologize for the exercise by it of the
right to dissent from a decision of the
supreme court In a government like
ours public official is q public servant
whether he holds office by election or
appointment; he serves for a term of
years or for life; during the term the
people have the right to criticise his
official acts. Confidence is everywhere
the parent of despOtism free govern
ment exists in jealousy and not in con
fdence.
These are the words of Thomas JEFF
fersOn, and 1 submit that they present
Z
than that entertained by those who
would prohibit an unfavorable comment
upon a court decision. Truth will vim
speech. No public official who dis
charges his duty as he sees it will desire
TO deny to those whom he serves the
right to discuss his official conduct.
THE MONEY QUESTION.
Now let me ask you to consider the
paramount question of this campaign,
the money question. It is scarcely nee
essary to defend the principle of bimet-
aIlism. No national party during the
entire history of the United States has
ever declared against it and no party in
this campaign has had the temerity- to
oppose. Three parties, the Democrats,
the POpulistS, and the Silver party, not
only declared for bimetallism but have
outlined the specific legislation neceS-
sary to restore silver to its ancient Pc
sitiOn by the side of gold. The Repub-
Hcan platform expressly declares that
bimeta1lism is desira Bile when it pledges
the Republican party to aid in securing
ii as soon as the assistance of certain
foreign nations can be obtained. Those
who represented the minority sentiment
in the Chicago convention opposed free
coinage of silver by the United States
on the ground that in their judgment
it would retard or entirely prevent the
establishment of international bimetal-
lism to which the efforts of government
should be steadily directed.
when they asserted that the efforts
directed toward the establishment of in
ternational bimetallism they con-
demned monometallism.
The gold standard has been weighed
in the balance and found wanting.
Take from it the powerful support of
the money owning and the money
changing classes and it cannot stand
for one day in any nation in the world
1T was fastened upon the United
States without discussion before the
people and its friends have never been
willing to risk a verdict before the
sympathy or corporation between the
advocates of universal gold standard