Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-10-19

outraged. An inquiry was instituted
and it was ascertained that the SOL
diers who had been concerned In the
sacking of the city had neglected to
dedicate the accustomed tenth to the
Gods. The senate decreed that the
victorious legions should make restitu-
| ton and that cup of gold of eight
| talents weight should be sent as
trespass Offering to the Temple of
Apollo at Delphi.
1.-THE Roman ladies brought, of their
own free will. such liberal gifts of
jewels and gold that the Senate, to
honor them, decreed that funeral ora
tions might be made at the obsequies
of women, which hitherto had only
been permitted over eminent public
men. This extraordinary episode
proves how rarely it happened that
tithes were not paid and how grievous
was the sin of emitting their payment.
The further history of this incident
also proves that the payment of tithes
was a world wide institution and car
ried with 1t q sacredneSS which can
only be accounted for by admitting
that it was primitive and universally
recognized law of God.
"Three senators of high rank were
appointed to carry the restored 1.-THE,
with the trespass offering, to Dclphos.
On its way the embassy was taken by
the LIBRARIANS, who were then at war
with Rome. But when the governor
of the city understood that the rich
booty was 1.-THE on its way to Delphos,
he not only liberated the Romans, but
sent squadron of his own fleet to
convoy them safely OH their way.
This dedication at tenth, for the
common purposes of the community,
could only have been devised by a
mind which thoroughly understood the
whole problem of the needs of human
society. If it were honestly practiced
it would be found just enough to allie.
Viate all social pressure-and it Is not
a little to be wondered at that the
public eve should be blinded to such
an exceedingly simple and easily ex-
ccuted law, which could readily BIO
enacted and as readily executed. Sup
pose that every citizen cOmprehended
the effectiveness of the law of 1.-THE
and voted that it should be constituted
a national income tax, what would be
the result?
Consider the absolute impossiblity
Of legislating against trusts or COM
hinations of capital. Legislation
against the natural processes of trade
| can never be success. The money
getting proclivity Is an element in the
character of men, which, like other
chara cteristcs, varies in different peo.
ple. Those in whom it is largely de-
veloped will accumulate money natur-
ally. If all the wealth of the COM
munity were evenly distributed among
It's individuals it would, in the course
of few years, go back again into the
hands of those who possessed the apti.
tude of making money. The Jaw of
God would tax this capablity for the
benefit of those who do not possess it,
and for those who by various disabil-
tiles gravitate below the line of COM
Portable living.
1.-THE taxation of a tenth will be
found to be that exact fraction which
! everybody can subscribe without dis.
tress. and exactly that sum which will
maintain those who from various
causes are unable to maintain them.
selves. All communities have about
the same proportiOnate composition,
and the example afforded by this city
of Denver will be applicable to any
other city mutats mutandis.
This city is composed of about thir-
ty thousand houses. 1t will be readily
| conceded that for living purposes each
house must represent yearly income
of $1,000. SO that the minimum income
of this city is $3O,0000OO. The actual
income is probably twice that amount.
But see the effect of tithnS this mini
mum S3OOOO0OO The 1.-THE would be
S3.oOO.OO0. Now, by actual reckoning,
it is found that the income of the 80
| churches that is, all moneys gathered
| for all purposes from the people wor-
| Shipping in them, amounts to less than
! 100000. Last year the incomes OF the
five largest denominations We're: The
presbyterians, $4,000; the Episcopal
| lians, $4,000: the Congregationalists.
$4,000: the Baptists, $1,000, and the
! Mcthodists, $4,000. So that S2oO,OOO
will represent the religious income Of
this community. The County Commits
SionerS expended on relief SS6,OW.
The four hospitals did not spend in
charitable work $4,000. The other So
cieties which exist for elecmosynary
purposes. together with all the private
charity of the city, will have their eX-
penditures well covered by $4,000.
SO that $50O,OOO represents the "eliS-
ious and charitable cost to a city of
10000 people, Of maintaining its
churches, hospitals and charitable So
cieties. The public school system,
which is remarkably efficient, cost
| 1856 600. Thus for all sorts of charit-
able relief, all sorts of religious effort
and for public education the city OF
Denver spent Sl,WOND.
If tithing were IN force the 1.-THE
commissioners would have, ut the
least, 100000 OF their dispoSal-thAt
means 20 say that the churches might
all be free. the hospitals wide open
and we'll equipped; public laundrieS
| might relieve the women of the work
ing classes: their food might be cooked
| at the public Kitchens; every man too
old to work might be pcnsioned; the
streets might be gardens where all
such pensioners might have easy labor,
and every reasonable cause for discOn-
tent might be removed.
Let the people demand that an in.
come tax OF tenth shall be Il national
levy. The English pay income ta5,
why should not Americans? Tho Nor
mons pay 1.-THE, and they have no poor
and no discomfort, so far as the matter
of living is concerned. 1t is the law Of
God. wonderful. simple and completely
effective, whereby all social disabilities
may be removed.