The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-12-10
PEOPLE FAVOR IT
Says White River Junction Landmark
About Amendment.


From the first The Landmark has ad-
vocated the adoption of the proposed in
come tax amendment OF the federal con
stitution. II was a measure that passed
the national Senate at the earnest sol
ieitation OF President Taft. and the bill
Of submission received the votes OF both
OF Nermonts United States seEators.
All other OF the greater nations Of the
world have such a tax and all Of the
worlds best students and writers on
the subject OF taxation pronounce it the
fairest system of taxation BY men, In
nutshell the theory of an income tax
is that as the measure of a mans pros
perity is, SO shall be the measure of his
assessments. In cher words. If a man
has an income OF ten dollars then shall
he pay a larger tax than the man with
only one dollar income. Ii is a direct
tax and that is always fairer TO the I'LL
innate consumer than is the indirect
tax. There is no direct tax on sugar
but every poor widow who has some lit
tie orphans to feed is we'll aware that
there is an indirect tax upon the article.
But to-day it looks as if Vermont
would vote against the adoption of the
proposed amendment, and this in spite
OF the fact, as The Landmark believes,
that SIS per cent of the voters in Yer
mont would favor the adoption could
they but give expression to their opin.
ion in the matter. The adoption Of the
measure would affect but few people in
the state. by which is meant that but
few in Vermont would be required TO
pay the tax because Of the size of their
incomes Why then is there such pro-
nounced and thoroughly organized OPP
position to the measure in Vermont? OF
course this opposition is on the part Of
the few, but that few are accustomed
to dominate legislation, and by the way,
is there another state in the nation
where the machine has so easy job
in running things as it does right here
in our own statef
1t is a matter of congratulate how
ever, that at least two members of the
state Senate, Messrs. Gordon OF Barre
and Powell OF Burlington, have had the
courage to come out fatfooted for the
amendment They are men who have
the courage of their convictions. Also
was Il potent for the good of the state
and its masses TO sec former GOV. John
l.. Barstow Of Shelburne come out for
the proposed amendment, and speak pub
liely in its favor. He was governor Of
the state in 1923, and his has always
been a valued service for the welfare
of the people. Whatever the fate OF
the measure in the present legislature
the people are reioiced that it has men
like Gov Barstow and Senators Gordon
and Powell.
But what a contrast is the thus far
action of Vermont as compared with
that Of its sister state of New Hamp-
shire. upon this matter Of the income
tax amendment. The platform of the
Republican party in New Hampshire de-
clared emphatically for the adoption Of
the proposed amendment. Why should the
measure be a wise provision in New
Hampshire and an unwise one in YER
month This year the people Of New
Hampshire had word to say as TO the
make up of the party platform, the ma
chine didn't The people Of New Hamp-
shire are in favor OF the amendment
aud they had opportunity 70 say 50.
The people Of Vermont are in favor Of
the amendment but have no opportunity
to say so as body. White River june
ton Landmark