The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-05-14
INCOME TAN.

In times of excitement it is always
well to keep the eye on the main
chance. Just now Honolulu and the
whole of the Islands are exercised ov-
er the Spanish war. But however in
teresting it is, aud however deeply
our sympathies may be enlisted in
the cause. we have also to think of
things at home. And of these things
at home, none merit more considera-
ton than the income tax bill. Next
week will pretty well decide whether
this measure of taxation shall or
shall not be put into tentative force
during the next two years.
At such a stage, before the vote on
the measure is taken, it is the duty
of every journal to consider and give
its advice upon the question. The APP
athy with which the subject is treat
ed is really significant. The income
tax is acknowledged to be the fairest
tax that has ever been levied, and
when it is met with such strong OPP
position as it is now meeting, it is
very evident whence that opposition
comes. though those who make the
opposition in the Legislature may not
fully realize what forces are driving
them forward \ specious argument
here and there captures the unwary
or the ignorant upon taxation ques-
tons, and you have stumbling
block in the path of progress that it
is hard to get over.
The preliminary report of the West
Virginia Tax Commission made some
time ago, bears very pertinently upon
the attitude of certain portions of all
communities and from which this
community is not exempt The re-
port says:
For the purpose of suggestion and
by way of illustration tax payers may
be divided into two classes. One class
constantly schemes to shift off on {
neighbor some burden which its
members ought to carry, the other
class, unskilled in the practices OF
evasion, submits to whatever is meas.
ured out by the recognized authorI-
ties and pays what is demanded. The
one class is shrewd, enterprising and
adroit; the other is content to accu-
mulate property slowly and by hard
labor. 1t is the very first duty of a
government so to shape its tax laws
that this second class will be fairly
dealt with. 1t is composed of those
helpless and unobtrusive persons
who, treading the humber walks OF
life, make but little noise in the world
and are seldom able to assert or de,
tends their personal rights"
This is all very true. Assertion in
the matter of taxes does not come
from "the humber walks of life. -
The poor man pays upon every dollar
that he owns, and does not say any
thing. 1t is the owner of large wealth
or the rich corporations that bring
the tax appeals. 1t is these who make
they themselves ought to carry. It
is primary principle that the sub
jects of state ought to contribute
towards the support of the govern
ment in proportion to their ability
The principle that we go on here is to
charge the poorest man in the COM
ha i'm 1o, ~
lance with which to put bread into
the mouths of himself and his family
at the rate of nearly three per cent
upon his income, while those who
have wealth pay one per cent upon q
part of their possessions. And yet
when an effort is made to remedy this
state of things there is opposition al
once, and opposition of the bitterest
kind.
The income tax question is one tina
interests every one in the communi
ty, and all those who are inspired b,
a sense of justice should vote that i
should at least have a trial. Once lie
it make Roadway and its inheren
good qualities will be appreciated
Why should we put off till the NOR
row the justice we should do the poo
tax payer today. Now is the time
and it is the earnest hope of The Sta
that the House will vote the incom
tax bill and thus put itself on recor,
for what is just and right.
The wisdom of our action in tn