The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-09-15
A QUIET CAMPAIGN.

erywhere. No indications of even a
"still hunt campaign. Although
Judge Parker's letter of acceptance is
yet in the background there are strong
Indications that upon the paramount
issue, i. e., the Philippine situation
there will be strong contrast for our
pOpulist friends to conjure with.
Promise Of Immediate instead OF
ultimate independence will be de-
clared upon. The tariff, or taxation, as
means Of revenue. will probably be
gingerly dealt with, but the populists
have taken no advance ground either
upon this subject.
They declare for an Income tax"
and attempt to sugar coat it by calling
it Jeffersonian and ask single takers to
rally to their standard Whether this
be cowardice or ignorance is only
guessable. 1t does not occur TO me
that single takers, generally, will SO
stultify themselves as to declare by
their vote for pOpulist electors, for
All income tax, as reform measure,
thus placing contempt upon the phil
osophy Of Henry George and the single
tax and also erect against themselves
wall of prejudice to be overcome in
future years. Suppose Watson and
Tibbles were elected and their money
reform be established; government
ownership OF railroads affected and all
public utilities reduced to public own
ership and operation; every highway
parked and lighted from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, from the ST. Lawrence to
Florida and with either the present
system or All income tax yet in vogue
the condition Of the workman, the
landless man will not only be no bet
ter, but will be yet harder for him as
the effect will only be to raise rents
at the expense of wages and interest.
Every single taxer knows this because
he knows that tax on incomes, how
ever graded, can be and is as easily
shifted from the rich to the poor as
tax on sugar or corn.
Furthermore IL would be class iegis-
lation in it's provisions if not in effect
and would be declared unconstitutional
by the courts.
The single tax is now too we'll I'M
derstood in intelligent circles and in
practice is known to be SO much of a
success that no one can be excused
from its advocacy who really means or
desires just system of taxation.
The Hon. James G. MCGUIRE Of Cali
fornia, years ago, and while Watson
was in the United States senate, so
thoroughly tore the mask off of this
income tax bill that it is now most
remarkable that anyone, especially ex
Congressman Watson of Georgia,
should attempt to revamp it as a re-
form measure. Perhaps this is the
reason of quietude on the eve of a most
important state and national campaign.
But single takers will take no pointers
as to how they should vote, they need
no advice. 1t is regretable however,
that with so much ado about reform in
taxation that a national party, calling
themselves ".reformers," should in the
light of all we have had from the
George philosophy from the late Thos.
G. Shearman's masterpiece on taxa
ton. i. e., National Taxation" and all
the literature on that subject together
with the stated experience from those
localities where II has been but par
tally tried. that We are now confronted
with declaration in platform and
from candidates for the presidency,
that an income tax Is the "fairest kind"
Of tax known.
The subject of taxation is only sec
ond in matter of Importance between
republican, democrat or populist par
Ties concerning which those who die
tated the populist platform on revenue
either know nothing or are arrant cow
ards. They dared not champion. jus
tice In taxation" but like other polit-
ical schemers. roncocted platform TO
ret In on. There will be some ques-
tions out for you In the campaign.
Il. G. CLARK.
Syracuse. Ncb,
THE associate editor himself an
incorporating and ardent single
laxer. must dissent from few Of MIR.
CiaYks conclusions. II Is true that
the peoples party has not yet reached
the stage Of speaking out boldly upon
the all-lmportant land problem. All n
has dared IA say upon this most I'M.
vuTtant question haa been said la Een.
esalitIea. hut ssiIl In the Springfield