The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-23
HARRISON ON OUR PERILS.
THE Ex-PREsID ENT SPEAKS ON
WEALTH AT OHICAGO.

Wetisto.Do Men, ne says. must Net shtrE
Tatation on Personal PropertJ-The oues-
tion or Equal ana Proper TaHatten, he
says. N1ust ne solved In This Country.
CHICAGO. Feb. 22.-washington's Birthday
was observed generally hero by the closing OF
banks, public offices, and many Of the whole
sale and leading retail stores. AT tho Audi
torium the great central memorial meeting OF
the day was held. Ex.Presldent Benjamin Har-
rison was the orator OF the day, and delivered
an address on The Obligation Of Wealth."
Con. Harrison's talk was confined closely to
his subject, no comment being made on the stir
ring events Of the day, nor any allusion TO the
Maine disaster or tho possible complications
growing out Of II. At 3 o'clock the vast hall
was filled to the last tiers and the stage was oc-
oupied by distinguished guests and members Of
the Union League Club. under whose auspices
tho meeting was held. Tho Apollo Club, 400
voices strong, led the exercises by singing Hail
Columbia" Following an invocation by the
Rev. Simon ]. Mcpherson tho club sang "Tho
Star. Spangled Banner" Alexander II. Revell.
Prcsidcntof tho club, thon introduced the orator
OF tho day. Mr.. Harrison said in part:
There are men who have 80 won our hearts
that We would recall them IL we could. We
foel the need of them. No change of dynasties.
no outbreak of the mob threatens their monu.
ments. One can hardly conceive Of any civil
revolution or any riotous outbreak in our coun.
try that would not respect the monuments of
Washington and Lincoln. While thoy lived
they wero at times hated by mon and by COM
munities, but when the full stories of their lives
wore explored, when the universal benefcence
of their public services was soon in the estab-
lishment by ono and tho rescue by the other Of
FREQ constitutional government all their coun-
trymen rendered them homage.
I'm choosing for my theme Tho Obligations
Of Wealth. I am not wrestling this anniversary
from its legitimate use. We do not mood to for
get-indeed, wo cannot forget Washington
when we reflect upon our obligations to the
State. His life teaches no lesson more strongly
than that the citizen is under obligation TO servo
tho State, never to shirk his full share of burden
and labor and sacrifice. but rather to do more. Tho
i MDfa a ESai Il not as a p %pvsra Originally j and
strictly. 1t means veal and welfare. external
hSppinesSs;i When Paul H na %aS ,sdk the hi, Con Cor,
but every man mothers wealth. he was not an.
ticipating the modern law Of the wheat pit and
"Weaith 10 a Comparative term. and my ad.
dress is not for that very limited body OF multi.
tocrats. A smaller audience chamber would
have Buflced for them, and perhaps the orator
ofG sbe o oSXe Sasn o. 81 fhf tS ss" !wel ! wsns 70 p eOSSe
the forehanded prosperous men and women OF
our compnnities. whether thSir estates arc
1.-THE special purpose Of my address is to press
home this thought upon the prosperous well.to.
do people Of our community, and especially of
our great cities, that one Of tho conditions Of
security Of wealth 10 q proportionate and full
local governments. Il is not only wrong. but it
Ia unsafe, to make a show in our homes and on
the Ts ssr spsa tna' s is GG sh %" IN N Il the york ta1 sEs ssae The
proportion of personal property assessed for
taxation is only about ~ per cent; Of the total
Roberts expressed the opinion that the taxable
personal property owned in the state is at least
sfdiap 20 h hee s vStH' prevail re vai f In illinois an ID other
States. 1t is easy to see how this offence against
man finds a salve for his Conscience in the say.
ing. Everybody does it." .,
Taxes are a debt Of tho highest obligationm
a sound moral distinction between the man who
hides his property or makes o false return in
order to escape the payment OF his debt TO the
State and tho man who conceals his prop.
erty, from his private creditors. Nor should
fsulter in the ono case than in tho
other. II our taxes were farmed out to an in.
ioeted as fully as private debts are now col.
leoted. There would be q vigilant and pnro-
assstns Of p sSe ia1 wo %hS f Ss in So q df %ish eff ees.
just rs they were against fraudulent debtors
social questions should lend its help. The Grand
Jury should be charged to Investigate and to In.
must be honest. II there are Inequalities in the
law they must be remcdied. The practical
y question:. Inc one our pcOplc ooiNe duu
solve speedily is the enforcement Of the
personal property tax and the equalization of
real estate assessments. Perhaps the State
might declare and maintain an %estoppel against
tho claim of any man or his, heirs to property
the ownership q which had been disclaimed in
tho tax RETURNS
with the singing Of " America" in which tho
audience Joined standing. the auditorium exer-
bration wound up this evening with a dinner.
Speeches were made by Benjamin Harrison.
President Revell. Gen. Palmer. the Rev. DIR.
Mcpherson, and others.