The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-04-12

table burden Of the tariff tex on the
people as now in operation. The OPP
ponents to the protective tariff for an
age have made themselves busy In
efforts to abolish il without lis
teniDg needing its beneflta and
without any signal efforts to ad-
just its operations so as to remove
its evils and, If possible, increase its
benefits.
The voice from a great host has
been, Down with protectionl' or,
solve US free trade, for that will stop
she evil" reply, "True it will stop
the inequality of that tax, but it will
subj 9ct our industrial people to a great
or one, by bringing them into direct
competition with the serfdom classes
Of imperial governments"
We are not under obligations TO
reach out the benefits of liberty that
we enjoy under free institutions, to
those Of old governments who have not
yet freed themselves.
Ga the principle that charity COM
mences at home," let US continue to
protect our industrial people, but quit
robbing them in the meantime.
The solution that will stop this is
simple and easily understood, to-wit:
Cease to, pay that $500, OOO, 900 de,
rived from tariff duties into the
National treasury and pay it toto the
public school fund of every district in
the United States Zee Chap. 3, Art. 8,
under taxation) according TO the num-
Der Of school population in each dis.
trict. The industrial people. as / have
stated, pay most Of this tax and it
would be a boon to them and a safety
to the Strte for their children to have
the benefit Of it in education.
Suppose this be done, the query arts
es, From whence would we derive
the $500, 600, 600 revenue for the sup
port of government" / answer,
From q system Of direct graduated
taxation (see Chap. 3, Art. a, under
taxation) that will rest the burden
mostly on the aggregated wealth which
I have pointed out is now in the hands
Of one tenth of the people.
OF curse this will be opposed by
those Of the rich who are selfish
and unpatriotic, and by those who
are narrow minded party follow
ers. bus it has never been opposed by
rich or poor who love their neighbor
as they do themselves and who want
to practice what they preach.
Among other indirect taxes is that
in the shape of licenses for manufac
turing. on drink, tobacco, etc., and
for selling such things and practice in
the professions Of law, medicine, etc :,
etc, which when we include all in
direct tax, is not below $500, 600, 600.
This great amount, added to the tariff
tax IN ,kes an indirect tax of over 80
per capita or over $45 indirect tax for
every family in the nation. The worker
feels the oppression, but he may not
see the stealthy hand that robs him.
o. course this great sum is paid fret
by the manufacturers, licensed per
sons, etc., who, in turn collect it from
the and customers. 1t is
paid by the nine tenths of the people
who only own one-tenth of the wealth
of n Nation.
Direct taxation, which aggregates
over $500 coo, 600 is that revenue raised
in States, counties, and towns by an
assessed valuation and q per cent.
levy of tax collected. With the ex
cepCion Of the poll tax this part of our
taxation is emfnently the most equi.
table, because it rests the tax burden
on the surplus products Of industry
called property, or wealth. Its only
weak point, according to the demand
of liberty in modern civilization is that
it does not rest heavier on large ag
gregations than on smaller possessions
Of the comparatively poor.
The Poll Tax which is one that causes
every citizen from 81 to As years of
age to pay a fixed tax of from one to
SAAOO oOAA0AS 0PA0OO LO60L0tO5S Va Guy
property, is an old time imperial plan
of taxation and it ia a disgrace to our
madern civilization. I see it is not
reported separately in the conpen,
dunn of the Ninth Census. l suppose
they are ashamed Of it.
Since commencing these chapters in
January, they have had some fatter.
ing notices aud have brought an in