The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-22
THE PROPOSED TAX LAW.
A Lengthy Argument Against some
OF Its Features.

"
OF Its Features.
To the Editor OF The Post.
Palestine. Texas, January 1s.-In per-
forming the duties imposed on them by
the Twenty sixth legislature the tax com
mission we're not to be hampered by con-
stitutions nor by existing laws, SINCE IN
addition 10 the duty Of Investigating Thor
oughly the entire system of law in force,
there was granted to them the authority
ito investigate all kindred topics of legis-
latlon." and ito recommend such meas
ures as they might deem advisable"
The bill they have framed is before the
State, and seeking adoption as our tax
law. oppose 1t for many reasons. see
in 1t no indications that the commissioners
have investigated the fundamental prin-
ciples OF taxation. None that they rec
ognize the "canons.' the foundation
stones OF q Just system of taxation.
None that they have aimed TO oifer the
people law that Will conform in every
particular to these recognized 'canons
of right taxation
On the contrary, l find indications, If
not proofs positive, that they investigated,
far aud wide, for better methods OIL ad-
mipistering our present unjust and vicious
system. That they have sought not for
good system of taxation but for good
way to administer bad system
ln plain language, their position seems
TO be this: I'VE acknowledge that under
existing administration our taxing system
permits rich men, monopollsts. nOn-pro-
ducers aud idlers to ovade their just share
OF tho tan burdens.
I'VE see that ii Expresses the farmer,
the humble home owner the laeorer ana
d
Gus injustice.
eve ooncede that these are the effects OF
this system In Texas, in other states and
in other nations. st
1--WE confess that from reports on tax
alton issued by other states and by the
congress Of the United states, fraud, per
jury, bribery. corruption and oppression
have marked ana stained and condemned
existing systems of taxation In them all
We realize that from sworn. yolumnous,
indisputsble testimony 1t lie proved that
uncounted millions Of property in the form
Of money, stocks, bonds mortgs ges, ware
house receipts. goods, wares, merchandise,
jewels, precious stones and countless other
kinds OF wealth, 60 absolutely untsxed IN
the hands of the rich 10 every State al
ways. while the farms buildings, fences,
live stock and implements of the farmer
and the poor are unclncealable and there
fore are taxed as sure as death.
'ies, we perceive all this outrage and
injustice in this system OF taxation. but
we do not elm to substitute, nor to rec
onlmend a system materially different;
we propose. simply, to work a bad sys-
TEN In a good way We know We have a
baIky kicking, devilish, runaway hitched
10 our taxwagon, but we do not propose
to trade this team for safer one. nor 10
try any other We will use better harness,
stronger lines. Jaw breaking bit, mere
skillful driver with a heavier lash ana
make them work True the authorities
could not do this In Chicago; they failed
also in Washington City and in cities else
where throughout the Union-bnt we tn nix
we can do in Texas what can not be done
anywhere elsel"
Believing this to be their position viz
tually, l submit they have fallen saort oil
the duty required at their hands, and thai
the DR.. posed law is not what the people
want and should have.
Believing there is better system than
what they offer, believing that this better
system will conform in every detail L
justice and patriotism, and that their pro
posed law Is neither just nor patriotic,
oppose its adoption and urge the people
to investigate the better system ana Il
convinced OF its value to demand its adop
tion.
In justification OF all that has been aboy,
said, now place before the public the
said "canons" the Foundation stones" o
night taxation and propose 10 test the pro
posed Law as we'll as tho better system bA
them:
CANYONS or TAXATION.
1 /. The best system of taxation Is OH
that hears as lightly as possible on nr0
duction. SO as least to cheek the incseas,
OF that fund from which taxes must b,
paid and the community maintained
. II is easily and cheaply coilecte
! and falls as directly as may be on the ul
innate payer. so as TO take from the people
J AS little as possible IN addition 10 what 4
yields TO the government
3. Il IS certain SO as 70 give the loas
opportunity for tyranny and corruption
! on the part OF officials and rhe leas
termination to lawbreaking and eyasio
on the part OF taxpayers
4. II bears equally, so as to give NJ
citizen IN advantage nor put any cttzei
to disadvantages as compared with All
other.
Now | ask my reader. can he dlssen
from any one OF these "canonsf" Car
any just man dissent from them? Can "
oppose system that conforms to them
Can he support a system that utterly fail
to conform to them? ask further, doe
the proposed law conform to any one o
them9 VIII It bear as lightly as possihl
ON production when II proposes 20 IA
almost everything that is produced7 I'm
der Il. II a man produce live stock, will I
mt he taxed? VIII not goods. wares, mer'
chanfise be faxeiy VIII not the product
OF forest neld mine snop and factory h
taxed as soon a. they eofcr into the chan