The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-08-25
FACTS AS TO THE INCOME TAX
No One Will Escape the Penalty
Upon Thrift and Industry.


In considering taxation in the Uni
ted States Democrats and Republi-
cans alike agree that custom duties
are an equitable source of revenue. if
properly levied. Leaving aside the
differences Of opinion as to protec-
ton, there is a practical unanimity
in the sentiment of the people as to
the justice and fairness of tariff tax
alton. Under the schedules there are
but very few individuals that do noe
annually contribute to the support Of
the federal government. The greater
the amount Of purchases Of import
ed articles as they run in average dis
tribution, the greater the contribution
to the governments revenues.
Under this system in the majority
of instances the we'll to do, who are
usually the heaviest purchasers. pay
more in proportion to their numbers
than do those who are not in as easy
financial circumstances. Individually,
therefore, they pay. in the majority
OF instances, more than those whose
circumstances limit to a greater de-
gree their purchasing power. These
same we'll to do people. comprising
owners Of real estate, owners of per-
sonal property of every and all kinds,
are the taxpayers of our cities, our
counties. and our States. They in
clude the farmers, the merchants,
the bankers. the capitalists, the in
ventors, the great body of the indus
trial workers Of America, and the ac-
tive business men Of the country in
general.
In that list can be placed nearly
every depositor in the banks of the
country. These people pay all of the
city taxes, all Of the county taxes, all
OF the State taxes. much of the inter-
nal revenue taxes. more than their
individual share Of the tariff taxation,
and now the federal government asks
the right from States to levy direct
federal taxes upon these citizens who
already are burdened down with a
multiplicity Of taxation.
The plea is that those who possess
wealth escape taxation. Are not the
municipalities, counties and States
exacting from all that are able? Are
not the assessors and the tax collec-
tors full of activity? Ask the taxpay-
ers Of the municipalities, the coun-
ties and the States and let them tell
the story. and if remedy is required
let them provide it, and not the fed.
eral government.
The federal government in it's seek
| ing power for direct taxation, is pro-
viding means for adding to the bur-
dens of every one who already pays
| taxes to the municipalities, counties
| and States. Let every taxpayer in the
union recognize the fact that If the
legislature Of the various States sur
render the right Of direct taxation to
the federal government by approving
what is known as the income tax
amendment, then there will be added
still heavier and more grievous taxa
ton to that he already endures.
1t is bosh to talk Of limiting the tax
to incomes Of $4,000 or $4,000 or S.
600. Give the federal government the
legal right to demand and collect this
tax and not man that earns in any
capacity will escape from this penal
izing of thrift and industry. 1t is a
vicious proposition. It is socialistic
in its very inception. 1t puts a ban
upon accumulation and classes those
who own and possess as victims to
plunder and deprivation under forms
Of law.
Every taxpayer of the Union should
oppose 1t actively and positively, for
it is against his interests in many
wayS