The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-02

One declaration of the Democratic creed.
which has become conspicuous by reason
of the emission Of the Kansas City Con-
vention to expressly repeat and reiterate 1t,
is tie demand for an income tax 1t is in
the platform. however, for the endorse
ment OF the Chicago platform certainly
carries with it the advocacy of this tax.
II any doubt can possibly exist respecting
the attitude Of the party leaders on the
subject it will soon be dispelled by the
utterances of Mr.. Bryan. No tax could
be more equitable in its operation than
one levied on the surplus net profits of
the taxpayer. whether individual or cor
poratio,l. By the liberal exemption of four
thousand dollars OF income from this tax,
as was done in the Wilson Revenue bill.
and applying it only to the excess above
that sum. no hardship can result to any
citizen from the proposed measure. Com
pared with any other method Of raising
revenue. what subject of taxation can be
more appropriate. what tax can be 50 easily
borne?
Taxation Of other kinds OF property may
and often does amount TO conhscation-
that imposed on unimproved lands,
houses, and lots. or ether unproduetive
property; but reasonable charge on the
net surplus profits can never have such
effect. II is necessarily charge on those
who are best able to pay it. and this can
be said Of no other general system Of rails
ing revenue
The duty imposed On imported mercnan-
disc often has the effect, and in many
cases is intended to have the effect, of
absolutely prohibiting importations of Ger
tain commodities. In other cases the
duty either consumes or reduces to TIE
minimum the profit Of the importing
merchant. License and special taxes are
often SO onerous to small dealers as to
compel an abandonment of business; but
no one has ever been found who would
cease drawing an income because the Gov
eminent deducted two per cent, leaving
him only ninety-eight per cent of his sur
plus.
by which 1t is collected is inquIsitoriaI
and involves an investigation of ones pri-
yste affairs. This is an incident OF all tax
alton. The subject to be taxed must be
ascertained and its value assessed. The
property owner must, under the system
now in vogue under State and municipal
governments. report. and under oath. to
the assessor the various items OF his real
and personal property and its estimated
value. and the amount of money. stocks.
bonds. or other Thing OF value OF which he
is possessed. Indeed. the Income tax pro-
vision Of the Wilson law provided extra
ordinary safeguards against the disclosure
OF private affairs by prohibiting under
severe penalties any information on the
subject by officials OF the revenue service.
The experience of other countries is per
haps the strongest evidence of the expe-
diency and efficiency of this mode Of taxa
tion; there being scarcely nation of Eu-
rope which does not derive a large pro-
portion Of its revenue from this source
Great Britain alone collects from incomes
an annual tax OF sixty-fiye million dollars.
This fact would also prevent the evasion
which might otherwise result from the
migration Of the tax dodger to other coun-
tries.
1t is true that the decision OF the SUI
preme Court declaring such tax uncon-
stitutional Will. unless hereafter over
ruled by the same tribunal. stand in the
way Of Immediate legislation by Congress
on the subject. But a constitutional
amendment would remove this impediment
The enactment Of such measure would |
relieve the people from the burden of the |
present oppressive and annoying stamp act
burden borne for the most part by those |
least able TO bear IT. tax which espec- |
tally oppresses the debtor. as Il adds 10 |
his liabilities the stamps affixed to his |
note and mortgage. Taxes of any sort are !