The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-08
r. Larimer did not reply.
SOME CLEVER REASONING
On the Income Tax and the Single
Tax by Journal Reader.

To the Editor of The State Journal:
I believe there are very few, if any, who
will question the correctness OF the propo-
sition. that: All wealth rightfully belongs
to him who produces it,
1t is a source of some surprise to me
that men who admit the correctness of
the above statement favor an income tax.
They seem to construe the word ALP
to mean. nearly ALL
Now if nearly all the wealth belongs
to the producer, to whom does the rest
belong? To the community? If the COM
munity produces nothing, it ought to have
individually believe the above rule ad-
mts of no rightful exception, while 9TH
ers may think that it admits so many,
that the rule itself becomes an excep-
In studying taxation two things ought
constantly to be held in mind First
produces. Second-That the community,
or state is entitled to all it produces.
only entitled to something on the theory
that it produces a benefit to the individ-
dividual capacity. Hence the state is
titled to what is known in single tax
This unearned increment is unearned by
the individual, but is earned by commune
ty, hence the community is entitled to it.
1t results from community.
I admit am in favor Of an income tax
alton, because the tariff system robs the
poor, while the income system would rob
the rich.
tins, and he who favors the income tax
is far from total depraV1ty, although he
still has the virus of original sin.
The income tax idea is born of the fact
that the income of some people is greater
than their earning capacity.
1t has been said that there are but three
ways of acquiring anything. earn it, have
it given to you, steal it. If the incomes
above referred to are not earned. they
are either gifts. thefts. if they are gifts
no one has the right to take them away;
if they are thefts, the state ought to put
a stop to the stealing. and not go in
partnership with the thief for a per cent
of his stolen goods and profits.
Yes. l am in favor of an income tax
rather than a tariff tax, because be-
lieve it to be mild form of philanthropy
to rob a thief rather than an honest poor
man. but it is time that tax system be
adopted which will not operate adversely
any one The single tax fills the bill
The Single tax contemplates the appli-
cation of individual effort, to natural OPP
portunity. To tire result of individual eff
fort each one is entitled, to any benefits
resulting from community, the state is
entitled.
An Illustration of this may be found in
the scripture. where tribute was de-
manded from Christ and Peter. Christ
told Peter to go to the sea and catch
fish and that in the mouth of the fish he
would find a piece of money, with this
money he should pay the tribute for both
nanded. he applied his labor to the sea,
Ga natural opportunity) The fish belong
earned incremenO, belonged to the state,
hence he paid it taxes.
Now it may be said that this fish
story is a miracle. and that the money
got into the mouth of the fish in some
mysterious way.
some people who never work should have
millions of dollars. while others who Ia
Dor are clothed with rags.
There is no greater cloud of mystery
about the manner in which the money got
into the mouth of the fish than there is
some peoples incomes, and not half the
mystery there is in the fact that states