The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-12-04
PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE.
[coNTINunp Fao.I ToURTa zee.


complied with It is Impossible to see
what harm such combination could
do to the public at large.
Inheritance and Income Tax.
The national government has long
derived its chief revenue from tariff
on imports and from an internal or ey-
else tax. La addition to these. there is
every reason why. when next our sys-
tenn OF taxation is revised. the national
government should impose graduated
inheritance tax and, if possible, a grad
uated income tax.
am well aware that such a subject
as this needs long and careful study in
order that the people may become fa
miliar with what is proposed to be
done, may clearly see the necessity Of
proceeding with wisdom and self re-
straint and may make up their minds
just how far they are willing to go in
the matter while only trained legisla
tors can work out the project in neces-
sary detail. But / feel that in the near
future our national legislators should
enact a law providing for graduated
inheritance tax by which a steadily in
creasing rate of duty should be put
upon all moneys or other valuables
coming by gift, bequest or devise to
any Individual or corporation. There
can be no question of the ethical pro.
priety Of the government thus deter
mining the conditions uaon which any
gift or Inheritance should be received.
AS the law now stands it is undoubt-
edIy difficult to devise national in
come tax which shall be constitutional
But whether it is absolutely impossible
Is another question, and If possible it
is most certainly desirable. The first
purely income tax law was passed by
the congress in 1861, but the most i'm
portant law dealing with the subject
was that of 1894. This the court held
to be unconstitutional
The question is undoubtedly very in
fricate. delicate and troublesome. The
decision of the court was only reached
by one majority. 1t is the law of the
land and Of course is accepted as such
and Loyalty obeyed by all good citizens.
Nevertheless the hesitation evidently
felt by the court as a whole in coming
to conclusion, when considered to-
gether with previous decisions on the
subject, may perhaps indicate the pos
sibility Of devising constitutional in
come tax law which shall substantially
accomplish the results aimed at The
difficulty of amending the constitution
is so great that only real necessity can
justify a resort thereto. Every effort
should be made in dealing with this
subject, as with the subject of the
proper control by the national govern
ment over the use of corporate wealth
IN Interstate business. to devise legis-
lation which without such action shall
attain the desired end but il this fails
there win ultimately be no alternative
to a constitutional amendment.
Industrial Training.
Our Industrial development depends
largely upon technical education. In
GLIDING in this term all industrial edu
cation, from that which fits a man to
be a good mechanic. a good carpenter
or blacksmith to that which fits man
to do the greatest engineering feat
The skilled mechanic. the skilled work
man, can best become such by tech
nical industrial education The far
reaching usefulness OF Institutes of
technology and schools of mines or of
engineering is now universally nc
knowledged. ard no less far reaching
is the effect Of good building or me
chanica trades school, textile or
matchmaking or engraving school.
In every possible way we should help
the wageworzer who tolls with his
hands and who must 1--WE hope in a
constantly increasing measure, also
toll with his brain Under the constitu
ton the national legislature can do but
little of direct Importance for his wei
fare save where he is engaged In work
which permits it to act under the In
terstate commerce clause Of the consti
tuition, and this is one reason why ]
50 earnestly hnpe t'sat both the legis-
Iative and judicial branches Of the gov.
ernrent Will nonstluc this clause Of
tie colgtitutn ii the broadcast posi-
BILE manner
TIE Tarsser.
The only ot.er persons whose well
fare is as vital to the welfare of the
whole ca~st.y rs Is the welfare Of the
wageworkei@ are the tillers Of the soil.
S'she farLsers
Severed factors must cooperate in
the Improvement OF the farmers con,
.dition. He must have the chance to
be educated in the widest possible
sense, tn the sense which keeps ever In
view the intimate relationship between
}fhe theory Of education and the facts
-of life.
Organization has become necessary
In the business world. and it has ac-
complished much for good In the world
Of labor 1t is no less necessary for
farmers Such a movement as the
grange movement IS good in itself and
Is capable Of a well nigh infinite fur
Their extension for good so long as 1t is
kept to its own legitimate business.
The benefits to be derived by the as
ISOLATION of farmers for mutual adj
vantage are partly economic and part
ly sociological.
Irrigation and Forest Preservation.
Much Is now being done for the
states Of the Rocky mountains and
great plains through the development
Of the national policy of Irrigation and
forest preservation. No government
policy for the betterment OF our inter-
nal conditions has been more fruitful
NJ pood than fhia