Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-01-23

until we nationallze the subject. I have
no sympathy with the arraignment of our
institutions because few men have grown
very rich while the great mass of mankind
accumulates but little or nothing. | do not
believe that the laws Of the United States,
and In them | include the laws of the sew
eral states, can he justly charged with
either the intent or the effect Of favoring
one man or class of men Mt the expense
Of another man or class Of men. ] may de-
plore the fact that wealth Is not more
evenly distributed. but 1t Is nevertheless
true that the startling inequalities OF life
must be imputed to some other cause than
the favor OF the government. Nature en-
dows one man with genius to make and
save money, and denies II to another. This
power can no more be eqIalized than any
other form OF superiority In the struggle
for leadership: and he who cavils at the
differences which the world presents, quar-
res with the plans OF the Almighty. While,
therefore, the government could not III II
would. and should not IL Ii could, attempt
to reduce humanity to common level.
am firmly Of the opinion that II Is worth
our while to consider the propriety OF
curblng some of the power whicn great
success creates. Our history makes IL clear
that Ii Is easy to create wealth, but the
problem Of Its inst distribution Is one whlcn
will tax the strength of the best minds OF
future generations. Governments are NOT
organized simply to keep the peace; II Is
no inconsiderably part OF their function 20
help those who cannot help themseives. ~
is perfectly true that the world always
n
they can always exact full compensation for
what they do 1t must not be forgotten,
however that much the larger part or the
work Of the world does not require greai
minds. This work must be DONE anu the
pay for it cannot be raised 70 the standard
Of those who lead in the fields OF Industry.
The government, as 1t seems 70 me, mas
at least one duty to perform In this connee-
ton. Ii is vitality interested in seeing to II
that the men who can never rise 70 tnat
prominence which will enable them no, 10 fuI,y
ward for their labor; and snail pe SUI
rounded by such conditions, as VIII make
them good citizens ! believe that tne power ea
which wealth bestows ought sometimes TO
he checked, and. through wise legislation.
the rights of the weak and helpless more
carefully preserved. :,
There is another thought when is ~
rected more to the creation of wholesome
sentiment than to the enactment OF laws,
TO which l must draw your attention. ne
who honestly makes has the right 10 saIeiy
keep, whether 1t be one dollar OF q mil
lion dollars: vet there are certain incidents
Of wealth, and especially associated wealth,
which ought to receive the serious consid.
their country at heart. Wealth gives to him
who owns or controls II power for great
good and for great evil; 1t gives him power
iieye want; but It also gives him power to
seduce and coerce his fellow men and this
power should be most jealousy scrutinlzed.
Wealth. and especially incorp0rase we Gu y.
remembered that among them 1t not the
right to vote. Corporations have, ana
ought to have, many privileges; but among
them Is not the privilege to sit In political
conventions or occupy seats In legislative
chambers Corporations, as such. should be
vigorously excluded In every form from
participation In political affairs. Here at
least. the rich and the poor. as individuals,
should meet upon plane Of absolute equal
ity. The conscience and Intelligence OF
.wxa&I H. M CnlA fAafnr
in determining what our laws shall be and
who shall execute them.
At this point must be permitted to re-
fer specifically to one phase OF corporate
pear under the righteous Indignation of
honest men. The professional lobbyist has,
regret to say, become one OF the features
Of legislative assemblies. he has become
stencil In the nostrils of a decent commun-
ity; and he ought to be driven with the
lash of scorn, pursued by the penalties of
cial and from the precincts OF every legis-
latlve body in the republic. Do not under
stand me to suggest that the halls of leg
BE the me
right of petition is as sacred as 1t is ven
cradle; and through 1t the wants, objec-
lions or complaints Of all who are Inter.
known with absolute freedom. not only so.
but the right to fair and Impartial hear.
ing before appropriate committees should
however, who Is for anything or against
anything for hire, whose mission II Is to
promote one measure or defeat another,
who haunts the chambers of legislation
and taiits Its atmosphere with his corrupt
designs, who sends for members for inter-
Views In the cloak room, who carries tally
sheet and watches the roll call, who shad-
ows the members at their homes and hotels,
injecting at all hours and all places his
poison into the public service is a criminal
whose approach is an insult, and to whom
the doors of the capitol should never swing
inward. Even as Christ scourged the
money changers from the temple at Jeru-
will scourge the lobbyist from your sight
and hearing.
TAXATION.
The manner In which the government
ought to raise the money necessary to car
Sa s var nss Of een e
from the time organized society took form
until the present moment. The subject has
been a difficult one with every people In
all time and 1t Is especially difficult In
the complex material development in which
we live. While II has not always been So
the fundamental principle of taxation has
now become well settled. 1t Is universally
agreed that every tax payer should con-
tribute his fair. just and proportonate
share Of the expense which governments
this principle Into execution would not
have been an easy task In the simpllcites
OF former period, but with the wonder
Aui Naitty VI property Win the IuySftr-
ious forms In which wealth finds express
sion, and In the dual system OF government
known to the United States, the subject
has become altogether the most intricate
and battling of modern days. l believe
that there is no economic question thai has
been SO adequately answered as the one
relating to taxation. This conclusl1n must
not be accepted as a disparagement9Df what
has been accomplished, for those Who have
been charged with the duty of frajiihg our
laws have been Inspired by cond.ientious
motives and have done the best tiey could.
The conclusion is rather an acknowledge
ment OF the tremendous obstacles which
lie, ne ~ the way OF fitting law t,{ meet the
and the fertile power OF the tx payer to
shift his burden to his nelghb5r's should
ers. The fact that our present law relat-
taxes is Imperfect, should nd discourage
the general assembly from attempting to
remedy its defects. 1t is not likely that
each year. win she'd new light foil our guild
ance, and every general assembly should
eourageously undertake. to naN the law
ciple upon which 1t is foundei.P
The most fragrant defect IN I've execution
OF our taxing law is dlsclostdl III the escape
OF SO large part OF the personal proper.
y within our Jurisdiction from. the view of
Gently adopted to bring it to light can not
be said to be permanent In Its character,
and eventually some offiter IL the county
.nus. pe ehuusteu Win lne uuty tnat con.
tractors now perform. Finsl relief will
come. l believe, first from the gradual
growth OF sentiment that the tax dodger
Is an unworthy citizen. There ought to be-
and Will be-. quickened conscience that
makes the duty of the tax payer much
palmer than IL now Is. and that will com
mand the truth and sincerity In dealing
with the assessor that Is practiced In all
other. business matters. IS'beleve further
tnat there ought TO he Imposed reasonabl
penalty upon the faiiuse TO list taxable
property: From the standpoint Of high
morals, the tax payer forfelts his title to
there Is no stringeFJ OF legislation which
would. In such cast 4 invade natural right
The severity of thi penalty should be de-
termlned with ref94nce to the practicable
ity Of enforcing thI Aaw, and u we had ap-
propriate legisiatHt Along these lines. |
doubt not that itfgould aid materially the
S %aish IS seems Sss new many persons to be