Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-02


A Defence of the Chicago Platform.
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
Some thoughtless writers and speakers
say that the Chicago platform smacls Of
anarchy and communism because ii
favors an income tax and attacks tia
Supreme Court. deny this charge. and
say the platform Is thoroughly Demo-
cratic upon this as upon other subjects,
and appeals 10 the democratic mind for
approval and support. Democracy re-
spects judges but It does not defy them.
1t considers courts essential TO govern
ment, but not infallibie in judgment.
Their decisions are to be obeyed until
corrected. but II wrong they are to be
reversed.
Moreover. Democracy believes that
those who set the benefits of government
should bear their just share Of its ex-
penses; that taxation should be levied,
not upon men, but upon property. and,
that an income tax is one OF the fairest
and wisest ever levied. because It Is
just and easily paid. Last year the
owners OF vast aggregated wealth In the
Northeast. with the consent Of a faithless
Federal Official, brought 10 hurried hear
ing before the Supreme Court Of the
United States the income-tax law. which
had been passed by a Democratic Con-
gress and approved by a Democratic
President. Eight justices only were then On
the bench. Justice Jackson, Of Tennessee,
being confined al home by sickness. The
court divided equally upon the question
Of Observation-Disclosures judges holding
h.fI
valih. 4 rehearlng was granted, and
Justice Jackson, ar the price OF his life,
left home and made his last appearance
upon the bench 10 hear this case re-
argued, and as umpire. TO break the re
between his fellow-judgeS. After hear
ing and consideration, Justice Jackson
thought the law constitutional, ard so
upheld H.
But. IN the mean time one OF the other
Justices had gone over 10 the unconsti-
tutiOnal side, and the final judgment Of
the Supreme Court was given against
the income-tax law by a vote OF to -
a majority Of only one. and he
a changing Thus the aggregated wealth
OF the United States escaped lust Fede-
raj taxation, and a deficit OF thirty mill
lions OF dollars came TO the Federal
Treasury The Democracy Of the United
States protests against this unjust de-
cislon ard lts ruiDous results, and pro-
misses 10 use all constitutional
means TO reverse and correct them.
Let ne give a few extracts from the
opinions OF four members Of the Supreme
Bench:
Justice Harlan said: "Tn my judgment.
10 say nothing OF former adjudicating II
this court. and Of the practice OF the
government for a century, this decision
may well excite the Eravest apprehen-
sions. There Is no tax which In
its essence Is more just and equitable
than an Income tax. which. allowing
proper exemptions, reaches out 70 every
person who enjoys the protection OF the
law, protecting the largest number q the
American people from The domination OF
asgTes gated wealth"
Justice Jackson uttered these words:
THE practical operation OF the decision
Is not only TO disregard the great prin-
ciples of equality IN taxation, but the
further principle that in the imposition
OF taxes for the benefit Of the govern
ment the burdens thereof should be i'm
posed upon those having the most ability
to bear them"
Justice Brown said: Even the spectre
Of socialism Is cnnjured up 20 dissuade
Congress from laying taxes upon tho
people In proportion to their ability 10
pay them. and l hope this decision will
not prove the first step toward the sub
mergence OF the liberties OF the people
In a sordii despotism OF wealth.
Justice White said: THE injustice OF
the conclusion points 10 the error Of
adopting H. 1t taxes invested wealth
and leaves the occupation OF the lawyer
doctor. minister. professor. inventor. and
all tho various forms 81 human activity
upon which the prosperity Of the people
must depend subject 10 taxation without
apportionment. The grievous results sure
TO follow from an attempt TO adopt such
a system are that II a tax on invested
personal property were imposed. and
there were no other means OF preventing
its enforcement. tho red spectre OF revo-
luton would shake our institutions 70
their very foundations"
Compared with these deliberate judicial
utterances. Domination OF aggregated
wealth." ''sordid despctism OF wealth."
and red spectre OF revolution" OF our
Federal Supreme Judges in the court
room. AT Washington. the language OF
the Chicago platform Is moderate and
mild.
II n we'll known that the administra-
lien was disappointed at this decision.
and ascribed 10 II the necessity for addi-
tional bond Issues and the present Trea-