The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-03-17
EQUAL RIGHTS AND EQUAL oPPoR-
TUNITIES.

Ex-President Harrison did good
piece of work in his February address ut
Chicago when he called attention to the
fact that so much wealth in this coun-
try escapes taxation. This has long
been known and much commented on,
but without accomplishing anything
thereby, for be party in power, Mr..
Harrison's p v, was controlled by this
very wealth t, escaped.
The legisla, of the country has
been controlledN the interest of wealth.
Government bonds are not taxed, being
expressly exempt. There might be
some excuse for this II the coupon clip
pors were required to pay tax on in
comes or If tax we're put on estates Of
deceased persons, an inheritance tax, so
called, But this is not to be; and so the
toilers and business people have to bear
the burdens, in one way and another.
Another scheming process Of taxation
is by tariff for protection. The avow-
ed object here is to favor some at the
expense Of others. In this nefarious ar
rangement equality of rights and OPP
portunities are disregarded, and only
the "divine right" of wealth is consider
ed; and class distinction recognized.
All these are contrary to every correct
principle of government, and assuredly
opposed to justice and the constitution.
Mr.. Harrison arraigned people of
wealth because they did not act the part
of good citizens and willingly pay their
Just share of taxes. 1t is time that
prominent men we're speaking out on
this subject, for we need an eqralizing
of burdens. Judging by Mr. Harrison's
utterauces il is difficult to see ho he
can favor riff for protection, or any
legislation that builds up trusts end
combines which endanger the rights and
liberties of the people.
The struggle has been continuous
since the organization of our govern
ment. Special interests, working tor
advantage, have ever depended upon
the political party opposed to the Democ-
racy. The old United States bank is a
case in point. The writer Of this well
remembers the great struggle between
that bank snd the people. Though
the creature Of law, it became SO power
full that 1t defied the government 1t
was financial monster that held the
great business interests of the country
at its mercy, being able to expand or
contract the currency at will, 1t even
dared the hero Of New Orleans to mortal
combat. But after years of stormy bat
tie it was overcome, and went to its
death.
In demanding that each citizen pay
his just share of the public burdens, Mr..
Harrison proclaims equal rights and
equal opportunities. He also In this
takes ground against special privileges
that is, giving certain persons the right
to prey upon and plunder their fellows
1t is comforting to see that the principle
laid down in the Declaration Of indie
| pendence is not entirely forgotten
namely, that "all men are created equal
endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable rights, among which arr
life, liberty and the pursuit Of happi
ness; that to secure these, government
; are instituted among men, deriving thei
, just powers from the consent of uh
governed, etc."
I The man who demands equal taxation
; virtually stands for "equal and exac
justice to allmen of whatever state O
r persuasion, religious or political" Thi
' is the first of Jefferson's Essential prin
= ciples of government"