Tonopah bonanza. [volume] (Butler City [i.e. Butler], Nev.) 1901-1909, 1906-12-08

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law than is contained in the words
of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion when, in commenting upon the
fact that the numerous joint traffic
associations do technically violate
the law, they say: THE decision of
the United States Supreme Court in
the Trans-Missouri case and the
Joint Traffic Association case has
produced no practical effect upon the
railway operations of the country.
Such associations, in fact, exist now
as they did before these decisions,
and with the same general effect.
In justice to all parties, we ought
probably to add that it is difficult
to see how our interstate railways
could be operated with due regard
to the interests of the shipper and
the railway without concerted action
OF the kind afforded through these
associations"
This mean that the law as con-
strued by the Supreme Court is such
that the business of the country can
not be conducted without breaking
it. | recommend that you give care
full and early consideration to this
subject, and If you find the opinion
of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion justified, that you amend the
law 50 as to obviate the evil dis
closed.
Inheritance and Income Tax.
The question OF taxation is diff
cult in any country, but it is espee-
tally difficult II ours with its FEEDER
al system Of government. Some taxes
should on every ground be levied in
a small district for use in that dis
trict. Thus the taxation of real es-
tate is peculiarly one for the immedi-
ate locality in which the real estate
is found. Again, there is no more
legitimate tax for any State than a
tax on the franchises conferred by
that State upon street railroads and
similar corporations which operate
wholly within the State boundaries,
sometimes in one and sometimes in
several municipalities or other minor
divisions Of the State. But there are
many kinds of taxes which can only
be levied by the General Government
so as to produce the best results, be-
cause, among other reasons, the at
tempt to impose them is II partic-
ular State too often results merely
in driving the corporation or indi-
vidual affected to some other locality
or other State. The National Gov
eminent has long derived it's chief
revenue from a tariff on imports and
from an internal or excise tax. In
addition to these there is every rea.
son why, when next our system Of
taxation is revised, the Nationa'
Government should impose a grad.
uated inheritance tax, and, If posi-
BILE. a graduated income tax. The
man OF great wealth yves a peculiar
obligation to the State, because he
derives special advantages from the
mere existence of government. No
only should he recognize this obi
CATION in the way he leads his daily
life and in the way he earns anC
spends his money, but 1t should alsc
be recognized by the way in which
he pays for the protection the STATE
gives him. On the other hand, it il
desirable that he should assume hi
full and proper share Of the burden
of taxation; on the other hand, it /
quite as necessary that in this kline
of taxation. where the men who yot,
the tax pay but little of it, Their
should be clear recognition of tn.
danger Of inaugurating any sucI
system save In a spirit OF entire jus
ttee and moderation. Whenever we
as a people, undertake to remode
our taxation system along the line
suggested, we must make it clea
beyond peradventure that our air
is to distribute the burden of sur
porting the Government more equit
ably than at present; that we inten
to treat rich man and poor man o
a basis of absolute equality, and tina
We regard it as equally fatal to tru
democracy to do or permit injustic
to the one as to do or permit inju'
tice to the other.
/ am well aware that such a sui
iect as this needs long and carefJ
study in order that the people ma
become familiar with what is pre-
posed to be done, may clearly sc
the necessity of proceeding wit
wisdom and self-restraint, and ma
make up their minds Just how ia
they are willing to go in the matter
while only trained Legislators ca
work out the project in necessar
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