The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1906-12-26
NO 90

vlous decisions on the subject, may
perhaps indicate the possibility OF
devising q constitutional income
Ftax Law which shall substantially
accomplish the results aimed az.
The difficulty of amending the
constitution is 80 great that cnly
real necessity can Justify . resort
Thereto. Every effort should be
made in dealing with this subject
IT the proper control by the nation
government over the nee Of COR
porate wealth in interstate business,
to devise legislation which without
such action shall attain the deaired
end; but if this fails. there will nl-
timately be no alternative 10
a constitutional amendment.
(Froln the Madison Square Speech.)
The income tax, which some in
in our country have deuounced as
a socialistio attack upon wealth,
has. I am pleased to report, the
endorsement of the most conBsrva-
tive countries in the old world. It
is permanent part Of the fiscal
system of most of the countries OF
Europe and and in many places
tits a graded tax, the rate being
highest upon the largest incomes.
England hes long depended upon
the income tax for q considerable
part of her revenues and the En-
glfsh commission is now investi-
eating the proposition to change
from uniform to q graded tax.
1 have been absent too long to
speak with any authority on the
public sentiment IN this country
at this time. but 1 am 90 convinced
of the Justice of the income tax
that 1 feel sure that the people will
sooner or later demand an amend
ment to the constitution which
will specifically authorize an in
come tax and thus make IL possi-
BILE for the burdens of the federal
government to be apportioned
among the people in proportion to
their ability to bear them. Il is
little short of a disgrace to our
country that while it is able to
command the lives of it's citizens
in time of war. il can not, even in
the most extreme emergency, com-
pei wealth to bear its share OF the
expenses of the government which
protects it.
If We oan but repeal the laws
which enatie men to reap where
they have not sown-Iaws which
enable them to garner into there
oveIhowing barns the harvests that
belong to others-no one will be
able to accumulate enough to make
his fortune dangerous to the
country. Special privilege and
the use of the taxing power for
private gain-these are the twin
pillars upon which plutocracy rests.
To take away these supports and TO
elevate the benefioiaries of special
legislation to the plane of honest
effort ought to be the purpose Of
our party
And who can suffer injury by
just taxation, impartial laws and
the application of the JeRersonian
doctrine of equal rights to all and
special privileges TO none2 Only
those whose sccumulations are
stained with dishonesty and whose
immoral methods have given them
a distorted view of business, of co.
ciety and government. Accuma-
latiug by conscious frauds more
money than they can use upon
them selves. wisely distributs or
safely leave to their children, these
denounce as public enemies all who
question their methods or throws 9
light upon their Grimes
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
CFrom Mr.. Roosevelt's Message.)
Isgain recommend a Law pro-
hibiting all corporations from con-
tributing TO the campaign expenses
of any party Snch a bill has al
ready passed one honse of con-
gress. Let individuals oontribnte
as they desire; bat let MS prohibit
in effective fashion all corporations
from making contributions for any
political purpose. directly or in
directly.
From Madison Square Speech.
The Investigations which have
been in progress during the past
year have disclosed the business
methods of those who a few years
ago resented any inspection Of