New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-23

The result Is that his conscience fnds salve In tho
saying. Everybody does IT, 1t is probably also true
that under the tax laws Of many Of our States
double taxation results and taxpayers take It upon
themselves to remedy this defect in the law not
by the methods prescribed In the Constitution. but
by leaving OF from their tax returns such stocks
and securities they suppose TO be taxed In other
States Taxes debt Of the highest obligation,
and no casuist draw q sound moral distinction
between the man VINO hides his property or makes
false return In order TO escape the payment OF
his debt TO tho State and the who conceais
MS property from his private creditors. Nor should
II be more difficult TO follow the defaulter in tho
one case than In the other II our taxes were
EARNED out TO an individual or TO n corporation
they would be collected as fully private debts
are now collected. There would be q vlgilant and
unrelenting pursuit The civil and criminal proc
esses OF the law would be Invoked with effect Just
as they were against fraudulent debtors under tho
Bankrupt law
When to this enormous and crying evil Is added
the corruption which. IT Is alleged. has character
lied the appraisements OF real estate we have a
condition Of things with which dare not pal,er
We must iilaugufate. and AT once, system that
great conmGnities should Lead the ment'
This great club. organized a. rallyng centre for
as ioud and imperative as that which TO II
during the years Of the ciyll War. Mr. Lineoln's
startling declaration that this country could rot
continue 10 exist half slave and half free may DO
PERSONAL PROPERTY SHOULD PAY TAXES.
This sense OF inequality breathes a fierce and un-
measuring anger-creates classes. lntensfes social
differences and makes men willing 10 pay their
'~,ts in half-doars. The just sacredness Of these
Honey obligations, the right OF the holders to b. pal
In money OF full value will be clearer these angry
men II they see that these securities are paying
iully their lawful taxes Where Ia the moral dis
t ia 2etwcen the act OF putting ones hand in
shlitlns OF a debt owed 20 another? II there
is j., nor enough public virtue left in our communities
yirility enough LETT in laws and in the admin
istration Of justice in our 70 bring to pun
/ ishment those who defraud the State and their
neighhors II crimes Of fraud may stalk unrebuked
until crimes Of violence make insecure the fortunes
tnat nave refused to contribute rstably 20 the cost
OF maintaining social order? The failures which
have accompanied IN Increase. ratio the at
tempt to collect tho personal property have
ton and the substitution Of other forms Of taxation
Of the cost Of government has stimulated demand
,axatioh, win a view IN some measure 10 recoup
TO the community the losses which are Inflicted BY
serve as warning: The people will not consent
that this state OF things shall be accepted per-
such in their nature necessarily exclude
eoncealment and bribery. what tax VIII reniainf
state Of public and private morals has become
such in our country that the wealthy may not be
reverence and obedience, have we not confessed ths
failure Of republican institutions? Before tho
adoption OF the Constitution when each State made
is own tariff laws, the power 10 levy mposts was
practically nlllihed by the competitions between
ton between their ports. The solution was found
x conhdns the tax upon imports wholly TO the
barrassment is now being felt IN the framing and
Rs Or Of ne Ghsasss
are made from one state 10 another WIN view
/ plahe however,
to zee how Federal control OF these ques,ions
surrender such important powers TO the National
Government. II !. more than Questionable whether
induced to forego the Inducements which their tax
laws. the administration Of them. may offer TO
wealthy New-Yorker..
SERIOUS PROBLEM PRESENTED.
Yet. think It would be quite we'll TO
semble a convention Of tax commissioners from
all the States 10 discuss this intricate and exigent
problem. Possibly some general principles might
be agreed upon that would remedy the just COM
plants OF double taxaton. especially in the case
believe that II is impossible 80 to stir the con-
OF our peop 50 to am me
courts and prosecutors as 10 secure fairly gem
ra 2, the persona Ca pT0Pe tax r.
| Judgment IN this matter. We have TOO much
treated the mater Of mans tax AK return a.
! with the State much the same level with his
transactions with his bank. but that Is no, the true
cunary interest. In the return Of his neighbor.
We members OF great partnership ana ~ ID
the right Of each know what every other men,
Der is contributing 10 the partnership and what ne
public concern Of the first importance. Perhaps
there should be a general proclamation Of amnesty
and n fresh start. We should discard these OH
notions and. wiping the slate OF. proclaim tax
renaissance. Every agency that deals with pubic
| and social questions should lend its help. Tho
Grand Jury should be charged TO investigate and 70
! ndlct the dellnquents. Returns and assessments
must be honest II there are inequalities In tho
| law they must be remedied by legislation. and
not by the usurpat,on OF the individual. / think
must assume that there are very few, II any.
OF our States prepared 10 consent 20 the abolition
! OF our personal property tax As supplementaI
| tax levied within the requirements OF equancy
and uniformity a succession or inheritance TAX
may be we'll enough II the State Constitution per-
mits Il. but the principle Of progression. nleher
! sistent with that rule OF proportion ana equsnty
which should characterize all TAXATION. Inc prhc,
teal question the one our people must solve ana
solve speedily is the enforcement or the personal
! property tax and the equalization OF real estate
! assessments Perhaps the State might declare
and maintain an estoppel against the claim ot any
man or MS heirs 10 property the o"nefsniP " y.
/ which had been dlsclaimed in the tax returns IL
* not within the purpose or TINS sduress 10 pIV-
nose In detail the needed reforms in our tax Jaws.
| but rather 70 emphasize the need ana 10 sustes-
| IA, our men Of wealth and the managers OF our
great corporations should themselves come lot.
ward and take the lead in these reforms that they
| should not only show a willingness. but zeai 70
bsar their full proporonate share OF all pubic pur-
| dens II they do not. the sense OF lhJuly ~ ~
| ia equal To do justice IL the best safeguard
| against injustice"
corrDrnD.c IENUiT PETFpTT0N