The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-03-10
"THE OBLIGATIONS OF WEALTH"

Was EkPresident Harrison's topic in
his address before the Union League
Club Of Chicago on the 22nd of Febru.
airy. Some of his points should be con-
sidered by those who have the means to
pay and yet do not pay their share of
taxes. He spoke of taxes as a debt of
the highest obligation, and deprecated
the attempt of possessors of property
to evade their payment. The inequality
of taxation is an evil which he would
have the rich take the lead in remedy.
ing. He said
I'VE must inaugurate, and at once, a
system that shall equalize tax burdens
Tne men of wealth in our great COM
munities should lead the movement.
This great club, organized as a rallylng
center for loyalty and patriotic citizen
ship, should hear call as loud and i'm.
perative as that which came to il during
the years Of the civil war. MIR. Lincoln's
startling declaration that this country
could not continue to exist half slave
and half free may be paraphrased today
by saying that this country cannot con-
tinue to exist half taxed and half free.
This sense of inequality breathes a
fierce and unmeasuring anger-creates
classes, intensifies social differences and
makes men willing to pay their debts in
half dollars"
There is too much lodging on the part
of people of wealth and business stand.
ing in regard to this duty of the citizen.
In this matter there should be less
selfshness and more patriotism. The
true patriot is he who is ever ready and
willing to do his full duty as a good
citizen. We need an equalizing of bur
dens, according to ability. In this way
only can we solve the problems before
us as people. Only in this way can
the security Of property be maintained
and assured.
Washington's birthday was an ap-
propriate time to make these observa-
tions. Washington was a man of wealth
but considered that his possessions i'm
posed upon him additional obligations.
Our legislation of late years has been of
that character to favor the wealthy and
heap more than their share upon people
Of small means.
The Republican Governor Pingree, of
Michigan, is so pleased with ex-Presi.
dent Harrison's recent address on tax.
lodging that he will ask permission
to print and distribute 10000 copies.
The following is case related by Mr..
Harrison and there are such individuals
in many other places:
"a gentleman of prominence, residing
in one of the smaller towns of New Eng
land, recently told me that there had
resided in his town for many years
man who was reputed to be wealthy,
whom he supposed to be worth perhaps
a million dollars, and who was assessed
for 100000. He died, and when his
personal property was scheduled by the
the executor it was found to amount to
about 81, 6,000, ,00D-if recall the figures
accurately-and when this property
went upon the assessment roll of the
town the tax rate was reduced one-half.
In other words, this gentleman, living
in neighborly relations to his fellow
citizens and discharging, apparently
with kindliness, all the obligations of
citizenship, had been every year of his
residence in the town defrauding his
neighbors by compelling them to con-
tribute to the public expense a share
that he should in honesty and in good
conscience have discharged. (Applause.l !
He was filching from every hand that
was extended to him In neighborly con-
fidence. His aims were of other mems
goods. (Applause.)"