The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-09
DrrTIEs As WELL As PRIVILEGES.

Before the election ii was reported that
a large number OF unmarried men would
vote against a certain candidate because
he would retain as his deputy an official
who had been vigilant in collecting poll
taxes. This complaint came from a quar-
ter which warranted the inference that the
young men who proposed to resent the
vigilance OF an official in collecting such
taxes are abundantly able to contribute &
to the support of municipal, county and
state government. Most of them were
earning larger wages or salaries than
hundreds. II not thousands, of men with
families, who pay taxes on household goods
and small homes. 1t is doubtful If the
complaint had much basis in fact, since
the intelligent young man who does not
feel that he should contribute to the sup
port OF local government must be very
selfish. All of the education which nine
tenths of the young men have acquired,
and which has secured them positions or
made them more skillful in any employ
ment. has been obtained in the public
schools. II a young man attended such
schools four five years the taxpayers
contributed from SIS to $50 for his school
ing. If he is a graduate of a high school
in any part of the State the taxpayer has
contributed not less than 800 for his edu-
cation. II he lives in this city he has the
advantage of a public library for nothing
There is not young man living in the city
to whom improved streets and sidewalks
are not an advantage. Lighted streets and
the police contribute to his comfort and
safety. while the sewerage system prevents
disease. All things considered. there is not
young man in any employment from
which he obtains a livelihood whose better
compensation for his service and the bet
ter conditions which he enjoys are not due
eminent has done with money derived from
taxpayers.
1t has been conteDded that the man is
so superior to all other considerations that,
whatever his character, the government
owes him. as condition of his existence,
almost everything he may demand, and
that the more useless the man the greater
right he has to demand rights and priv
ileges which cost money. This is dam
gerous heresy. Every man has the right
to protection under the laws. but no man,
| unless he is a pauper, should be exempted
| from contributing something to the support
| of local government and the institutions
which it supports for the equal benefit of
| all. Taxation without some sort of repre-
sentation is a grave injustice, but il
is not a greater injustice than rep
resentation and participation in the adj
vantages of government without contrib
uting to it's support. The idea that the
prudent shall be heavily taxed to confer
| advantages upon those who contribute
| nothing to the support of schools. libraries
hospitals, streets and other government ne
cessities is a most dangerous heresy, and
should be combated. The true and just
theory Is that every one who is not the
object OF public charity should contribute
to the support of government. The sooner
we get back to the sound principle that
every man should contribute to the support
OF local government because of the advan
tages it confers, and that every man wht
| receives advantages incurs obligations, th'
better it will be for all concerned. The pol
tax is imposed in order to secure paymen
for advantages received far in excess o
the tax. 1t should be collected. even if i
costs half of 1t to do So simply to teacl
the lesson that all who receive advantage
shall contribute to pay small part o
what they have cost.