Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-03-09

The following communication. while
it may not express the ideas of the
editor, is however given space in our
editorial columns, believing the
question of the income tax an impor.
tant and vital one.
Mr.. Editor:
While our attention is arrested by
the selection of capable man to serve
as chief executive of the state, there is
question for the next General AS
sembly to decide, upon which the in
dividual freeman should inform him
self and the newspapers of Vermont
endeavor to enlighten. This ques-
ton affects the power and scope of
the federal government and is infn-
itely paramount as to whether we
shall have for governor business
man of we'll rounded years and keen
acumen whose duties would be re-
vealed to him in much the same light
and be ruled by the same general
principles as if he were chosen as the
executive head of stock farm or
railroad; or whether We shall select
another who probably would give the
state a greater variety of twentieth
century tact and tinsel and less of
sticking for minor business details,
in the establishment of government.
This secondary governorship mat
ter being disposed of, how then will
the state convention act upon or view
if not acted upon, and how shall we
instruct our senators and representa-.
tives to dispose of,-as dispose of
they must, the proposed amendment
to the constitution of the United
States giving Congress the power to
levy an income tax. Establishing
once and for all the status of the tax.
ing power of the general government
beyond the peradventure OF court
decision. This is hardly a partisan
question, but nevertheless received the
initiative from a republican presi.
dent. and was referred to the va
rious state legislatures by republi
In defense of an income tax it car
be said: 1t is part of the system o.
taxation of practically every govern
ment except our own. adopted and
maintained because it takes in pro
portion to the ability of the subjec
pay; is paid direct, giving no in
rtervening interests chance to prof
at public expense. as is unfortunatel!
the case with our tariff system; it il
no way interferes with trade or in
'dustry, but is paid by the individual
from his or her net income; and, bet
ter than either or all. as government
must be sustained and taxes paid, i
makes the citizen conscious of a con
tribution and quick to demand the bes
and most efficient. These reasons
may all be supplemented by a great
er one, that it is morally right.
Finally. if the power to levy an in
come tax is denied the government
what? Last year every man, woma
and child paid to the United States
government on an average, through
indirect taxes, $500 and probabl
twice that amount in tribute to a sy
tenn protiting by the levy. Congress
has passed a tariff act designed t
wiring the last dollar of tax from tn
limp fabric of trade. No additions
source of public revenue presents il
self. In the face of this the govern
ment closed the year with deficit
ninety million dollars, the year b,
fore it was ffty-eight millions. Wit
out additional taxing power and 6
increased revenue our government
headed for a cataclysm, and that
the midst of industrial activity ar
worldwide peace, save for the ma
coverings of a few "insurgent' CO.
gressmen. M
Barton, VT. March 5.