The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-02
The study OF a Mind.

The study of a Mind.
We hold that no other study, no other
investigation, no other science nov pos
sible of pursuit, is so important to the
adult American citizen as the study
which shall lead to a correct understand
ing of the workings Of President RoosE-
yEUr's mind.
What, for example, is the mental proc
ess by which Mr.. ROOSEVELT formed the
conception that it is his duty, as Presi-
dent Of the United States, to urge and
promote a progressive inheritance tax?
Mr.. ROOSEVELT said at Jamestown:
NOW as to the matter Of taxation. Most great
civilized countries have an income tsx and an inner.
itance tax. In my Judgment both should be part
OF our system OF Federal taxation. I speak dim
IDENTIFY I've are quoting Mr.. RooszvKLr's exact
wordsl about tho income tnx because our scheme
for an income tar was declared unconstitutions
by the Supreme Court by q ave to four vote; and
In addition II is q dificult tar to administer In its
practical workings, and great care would have to
be exercised to see that It was not evsded by the
very man whom II Ia most desirable TO have taxed.
for II so evaded 1t would of course be worse than
wv w. ~ "AE NO hh' Wv Hiih VI hoAto 10 Wv
tax which bears heavily upon the honest as COM
pared with the dishonest man. Nevertheless. a
graduated income tax Of the proper type would be
a desirable permanent feature OF Federal taxation,
and l SIN hope that one may he devised which the
Supreme Court will declare constitutional.
In my judgment. however, the Inheritance tax
Is both a far better method Of taxation and far more
Important for the purpose ! have in view-the pur-
pose OF having the swollen fortunes of the country
bear in proportion to their size a constantly increas-
ing burden OF taxation. . . . / do not believe
that any advantage comes either to the country as
a whole or TO the individuals inherting the money
by permitting the transmission In their entirety OF
such enormous fortunes as have been accumulated
In America"
The avowed purpose here of the pro-
gressive inheritance tax recommended
by Mr.. ROOSEVELT is 10 accomplish a
social change or reform which he re-
CARDS as desirable" There is not the
remotest idea of revenue in his plan for
the restraint of large fortunes.
In what manner was Mr.. RoosEvELT's
mind working in this particular instance?
The Supreme Court of the United States
had just informed him, in the luminous
and luciferous opinion delivered by Mr..
Justice BREWER. that the pressure Of
supposed general welfare" il no warrant
for the attempted exercise by the Federal
Government of powers not belonging to
it. Nothing is more clearly established
than that the power to tax, with certain
exceptions, resides with the States, in
dependently of the Federal Government,
and may be exercised, when confined
within its true limits, without restraint
from the Federal authority; that, out
side of the prohibitions. the power Of the
State to tax extends to all objects within
the sovereign power of the States, except
the means and instruments of the Fed
eral Government. That is 20 say, the
power to tax inheritances belongs to the
State Government unless the Federal
Government finds such a tax necessary
MS a means Of support or a source Of
revenue for carrying on a necessary and
legitimate Federal enterprise.
We accordingly call the attention Of
students of mental processes to the fact
that Mr.. ROOSEVELT is here proposing a
Federaltax on inheritances solely in order
to accomplish what he regards as a desira-
BILE social reform within the States. He
is not wen thinking Of Federal evenue
At the time when he recommends, for
social purposes within the States, this
progressive tax on inheritances the
United States Government has been
accommodating surplus revenue by exist
ing taxes at the rate of SS7, OO0, 900 for
the year. The balance in the Treasury,
after paying the $50, 900, 900 of 4 per cent.
bonds which matured yesterday, is more
than s235. 900, 600. So full TO overlooking
are the national vaults that Secretary
CoRTELYoU intends, according to credi-
BILE report, to relieve the plethora by
using cash for Panama Canal expenses
instead Of selling the authorized second
issue Of construction bonds.
Such is the actual condition Of the ma
tons finances. Such are the established
principles governing the purposes Of
Federal taxation. What is the condition
of a Chief Magistrates mind who chooses
such a time to recommend TO the country
a new Federal tax for a frankly avowed
socialistic purpose?