The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-10-19

of the sacrifices. that the gods We're
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 a cup of gold Of eight
talents weight should be sent as
trespaSs offering to the Temple OF
Apollo at Delphi.
"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 omitting their payment.
The further history Of this incident
also proves that the payment Of tithes
was world wide institution and car
ried with it 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 tithe.
with the trespass offering. to Delphos.
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 tithe on its way to Delphos.
he not only liberated the Romans. but
sent a squadron Of his own fleet 10
convoy them safely on 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 eye should be blinded to such
an exceedingly simple and easily ex-
ecuted law, which could readily be
enacted and as readily executed. Sup
pose that every citizen comprehended
the effectiveness o. the law Of 1.-THE
and voted that it should be constituted
a national income tax. what would be
the result?
Consider the absolute imposslbility
Of legislating against trusts or COM
binations Of capital. Legislation
against the natural processes Of trade
can never be a success. The money
getting proclivity is an element in the
character OF men. which. like other
characteristics. varies in different peo-
pie. Those in whom it is largely de-
veloped will accumulate money natur-
ally. II all the wealth Of the com.
munity were evenly distributed among
its individuals it would. in the course
of 4 few years. go back again into the
hands Of those who possessed the apti-
tude Of making money. The law OF
God would tax this capability for the
benefit Of those who do not possess 1t.
and for those who by various diSabi!-
tiles graritate below the line OF com.
Portable living.
"The taxation of n 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 mutatiS mut?ndis.
This city is composed Of about thir-
ty thousand houses. 1t will be readily
conceded that for living purposes each
house must represent q yearly income
of $1,000. So that the minimum income
of this city is S30,000.OO0. The actua!
income is probably twice that amount.
But see the effect Of tithing this mini.
mum $3OO00.000. The tithe would he
S3.0O0.OOO Now, by actual reckoning.
it is found that the income OF the 125
churches. that is. all moneys gathered
for all purposes from the people wor-
shining in them. amounts to less than
100000. Last year the incomes Of the
FIVE largest denominations were: The
PreSbyterians. $4,000; the EpiScopa-
lians. $4,000: the Congregationalists,
$4,000: the Baptists. S31,0 900. and the
Methodists, $4,000. So that S25oG00
will represent the religious income of
this community. The County Commits
sioners expended on relief $SGOOO.
The four hospitals did not spend in
charitable work $4,000 The other So
cieties which exist for eleemosynary
purposes. together with all the private
charity of the city. will have their e1.
penditures we'll covered by $4,000.
So that S5O0000 represents the relig-
ious and charitable cost to city Of
16J, 900 people. Of maintaining its
churches. hospitals and charitable So
cieties. The public school system.
which is remarkably efficient. cost
S4SG.OO0 Thus. for all sorts of charit-
able relief. all sorts Of religious effort
and for public education the city OF
Denver spent S1.0O0,000.
If tithing were IN force the tithe
commissioners would have. at the
least. $1,000. 900 OF their diSpoSa,-that
means 10 say Ihat 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 penSioned; 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 national
levy. The English pay income tax.
| why should not Americans? The Nor
mons pay tithe. and they have no poor
! and no discomfort. so far as the matter
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