The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-05-24
Subscription Price sa.OO a year.
An INCOME TAX,

Of the State OF Louisiana, who was
elected by an overwhelming majority
of the Democrats of the State, has set
his hand in opposition to the ratification
of the proposed income tax amendment
10 the Constitution of the United States!
And Is II not squally surprising that
large number, if not a majority, of the
Legislature are, seemingly, in line with
~ Exccifrfve of. the State on this issue,
and wiy7
Is Il because the amendment is pro
posed through 4 Congress dominated
BY Republicans and the head of the Ma
ton is Republican,
As Democrats is it possible for the
Governor of Louisiana and the Legs
lature OF the State to depart from or
ignore the principles Of the income tax,
which was adopted as one of the planks
of the platform of the Democracy, at
the National Democratic Convention
held at Denver, Colo, in 1908, reads
I'VE favor an income tax as part OF
our revenue system, and we urge the
submission Of constitutional amend
ment specifically authorizing Congress
to levy and collect tax upon individual
and corporate incomes to the end that
wealth may bear its proportionate share
Of the burdens of the Federal govern
ment.
It would seem that objection to the
proposed amendment is based on the
words 'all in comes from whatever
source derived the contention being
that II Il were TO prevail It would give
authority to reach bonds and securities
which have and now escape taxation
and would operate against the credit Of
the State.
From the Caueasian's view the strong
feature Of the proposed amendment is
ii the stipulation all incomes from
whatever sources derived" IS
Il may be pertinent TO inquire from
what sources arc the taxes for the main
tenance Of the National and the State
governments obtained il not from land
real estate and visible value and some
securities such as bonds, but how much
OF the invisible value, bonds and seeuri.
ties, escape taxation7
How many of the possessors of great
#ealth. whose investments are in in.
visible securities, escape their contribu
ton 10 the government, National, State
and locai7
The purpose of the proposed tax OF
income Is to compel as far as il may be
possible within the jurisdiction of tn,
law, the men Of great wealth to pay
their portion Of the tax as is demanded
and IS exacted Of the individuals whose
property. being visible, is liable TO seiz.
ure aud to sale within the mandates OF
the law.
Il Is the rankest of nonsense to pre-
tend that tie State credit would be i'm
paired through the operation Of tax
on incomes, nor can substantial reason
given why any kind Of bond or secur-
III she, I'D be exempted from fair levy
81 saNatieA
since the Sond clippers and the bond
holders aud olshers who revel IN hidden
wealth receive s'.s same protection a
shat enioycd BY toiler in the fields
ana the workshops, o ewhom is levied
taxes on their visible Property, why
should wealth invisible nots be made to
pay ! just proportion Of revenues for
The maintenance Of government, Ma
sional. State and LOCALE
Another pfetext Of opposition is that
tho proposed amendment is a Republican
trick, devised as il is g assure its de-
seat. + this were true, then it would
AsuIee On every Democrat who would
i've up to his party measure, to rally to
the proposed income tax and sustain it
by decided majority.
What IS Democracy? Is it mis-
nomerf Is It simply a word without
significance, devoid Of principles, and
made to 1T the interests Of a system
which would dominate in the name and
The garb Of Democracy
Ii The Legislature Of Louisiana is
Democratic, as i is believed TO be. and
would respond to the wishes Of the
great body 81 Democrats who vote and
never betray their party, principles nor
allegiance. the vote in favor of the pro-
posed income tax amendment regard
Iess oF the views of Governor Sanders
and others who are ever-zealous in their
manifestation ~ al implied impairment
1t The State credit through the taxing
OF invisible wealth. which should be
compelled 10 pay It's Just proportion of
tax 10 the support % The government,
National, State and local.