The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-04-23
Established June q. 1;
WASHINGTON LETTER.
BY c. II. Tavenner.

tHe OemOcrdIlc eXClSS-lncOme
tax, which proposes to place up
on wealth part of the burden
of sustaining the government,
will pass the Senate and the
White House. Senator Penrose,
who pretends to be the leader of
the Stand Patters in the Senate,
has made the statement that
none of the Democratic bills
would be allowed to pass the
Senate, but it is becoming more
apparent that Senator Penrose
and those of his kind who have
assumed in the past to rule the
Senate no longer have the power
to ALLOW" certain measures to
pass, or prevent others from
passing.
The truth is, a great many of
the Senators on both sides of the
chamber, either because they are
at last frightened by the wave Of
protest against the high tariff
injustice, or because they believe
in the inherent right and justice
of the income tax measure, have
come to look favorably on the
bill. At last there has been a
cessation of the talk about the
"unconstitutionalty" Of the
measure, and since this argu-
ment always has been the Stand
pat answer to all logical propo-
sails. the sign is considered a
good one. Nobody pretends to
know, of course, what the ulti-
mate fate of the present bill will
be, but from the popular approx
al that has been accorded the
m'asure, it is admitted by all
that such legislation must come
eventually.
The present tariff law raises
about $3.50, 100000 annually in
overnment revenue and for ev-
w dollar of revenue thus turned
to the United States Treasury,
is estimated by Democratic
ders in Congress, who have
idied the matter from every
ssible angle, that the tart IF
rons put five dollars into their
pockets in the form of loot.
:. other words, the tariff gives
wHse benefciaries the right to
tlect five dollars in tribute for
+;Sry dollar the government COL
w$si in revenue.
This condition is alone respon-
sible for the horde of mush room
millionaires in this country. On
every article Of daily use the
people of this country pay this
'five-to-one" tribute.
In the past, the tariff barons
have urged tariff for two prin-
ciple reasons. First. they pre-
tend that they desire to pro-
tect" American workmen. That
this argument, which the protec-
tionists in Congress listened to
with a willing ear for the past
sixteen years, is a farce, pure
and simple, has been proven be-
yond a doubt by the Democrats
at this session Of Congress, chief
ly through the various investi-
cations into trust methods. Sec
ondly, the trust heads pointed
out that in no other way could
revenue be collected for the gov
ernment's support. They thus
gave their plea for a tariff the
form of an excuse.
Having disposed of the first
reason" for keeping up the tar
if, the Democrats, through the
excise-income tax bill, have Of
fered a solution Of the other al
legged difficulties.
TWO IRRESISTIBLE MEASURES.
The bill repeating the tax on
sugar, which will reduce the
price to the consumer two cents
a pound il the measures enacted
into law, and the bill to place a
tax on all incomes Of more than
S., 600 a year, are two of
the most important measures
passed by the House Of Repre-
sentatives in the last quarter of
acentury.
These sister bills, conc lived
and framed by Democratic com
mittees, were so good in fact,
that o.,o.h4,r D,.,.I.1socao ..a.--