Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-28
PLUMLEY AGAINST
EXCISE TAX BILL
Democratic Measure Aimed at
Thrifty Business industries
The Idle Rich Escape.

Oh inc week, II having the support OF
the nearly solid majority and of such
republicans as are inclined toward
anything which looks similar to an
income tax. OF course the action of
the Senate on the measure cannot be
forccasted. but at present there seems
some chance Of 1t going through that
body by hook or crook. Representa-
tive Plumley voted against the bill.
and certainly his reasons for so doing
should have weight with Vermonters.
Previous to giving them, and in order
that the bill may be better understood
part Of IL should be quoted. The
first and vital section follows:
THAT every person, firm or co-part-
ncrship residing in the tinted States
any territory thereof OF in Alaska or
the District of Columbia. shall be sub
jcct to pay annually a special excise tax
with respect to the carrying on or do
ing busineas by such person equfVa-
Ient to one per centum upon the on
! tire net income over ana above flve
thousand dollars received by such
person from all sources during each
year or. IL resident. such nom
resident person shall likewise be sub
tax with respect to the carrying on or
dong business by such person equiv
alent t. one per centum upon the
amount OF net income over and above
ave thousand dollars received by such
person from business transacted and
capita! invested within the United
states ANA it's territories. Alaska and
the District of Columbia, during each
year. The term business" as herein
after used. is and shall be held to en-
brace everything about which person
can be employed. and all activities
which occupy the time. attention and
labor of persons for the purpose of q
livelihood or profit. The word per
son" wherever used in this act shall
be held to include natural persons or
individuals and firms or co-partner-
ships"
Please note specifically this. that
"cvory person, firm or co-partnershl
carrying on OF doing business The bill
is distinctly and specifically tax or
dong business. 1t penalties industry. onl!
taxing the man. firm or corporation
which maintains ard promotes business
enterprises and furnishes the people en-
plovment. 1t is distinctly aimed at thu
man or mon who build UP and maintain
thrifty business industries in large ant
small towns, afford employment to tn
townspeoplc and directly build UP AM
maintain the prosperity Of the communit,
in which such industry Is established
SELL OUT AND DO NOTHING.
If the man or men who have thus &C
cumulated a competence, however large
20 out Of business and retire, this lay
= could not reach them and they woul
wholly escape. Every person who live
on IN income. which is not the fruit o
his own industry and toll, escapes SEQ
free 1t Is only the man now In business
now working and helping his neighbor
and his community, who is taxed. Mn
out OF ten of the milionaires and multi
millionaires OF this country who are iv
! ling in illeness from the acoumula ton
. Of their ancestors are not touched b
the law All any business man has t
E do to evade II is to sell out and d
nothing,
G 1t is simply and solely and barcfacedl
e tax on thrift and labor and prosperit!
The House democrats were at their Wit
: ends to find n government income
duty on sugar They could not tax II
j. comes as such which would manifest
v be the fair thing If anything Of the kdn
= was to be attempted. because the 3,
d preme Court OF tho United States HI
II held that n straight income tax is ",
l. constitutional So they approach u
l. matter from another angle and call
Is an excise" tax That it is outrageous
to. nj focttx Ia
d from its language. and il it passes bo'
l. houses and is signed by the Presiden
e which ia almost unsupposable. able lax
yers are of the opinion that II will Xix
1. wise he declared unconstitutional.
e Embodied in the above are Represent
J. tive Plumley's reasons for voting again
V, the bill. and the average citizen will 4
l. cline to the opinion that they are aui
a sufficient.
ITEMS ABOUT VERMONTERS.
20 Mrs. 5. T.. Griffith OF Dandy. who h
1t been visiting in Washington for sor
@. time, has returned to her home,
1T The regular monthly meeting OF Z
n Vermont association will lie held Thur
n, day evening. March Is. Miss Margar
t. Merrill of St. Iohnsbury. teacher In t
70 Western high school Of this city. W
IN lead in the literary program with ia
on winter and Summer In England
TT Music is promised. and an excellent pr
as gram is arranged.
y One of the local events Of the seasc
ut long looked for and awaited with II
l8 patience by many outside the society,
of the annual sugar party Of the Vermo
association, which will this year be CIV
the evening Of Friday. April % Abrams
ments for tho event are as yet hard
:. under way. but the details are In {
II. hands Of committee consisting Of n.
McCuen. r. o. knight, Miss Grace Re
and Mrs Frank Miles It IL expected tn
-" Senator Dillingham; will act as toa
a., master,
+. Twenty-one members OF the senior ella
OF the Spaulding high school Of Bal
will leave tomorrow for Washington
a weeks sightseeing trip. Several CT
= zcns will accompany the students. W
will be under the chaperonage OF NJ
Dane OF the school faculty. At lei
~ three other large excursions from v
S %. mont will arrive here about We
"' later.
TWENTY IN 0IIARANTINl