Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

INQUISlTORiAL DISCRIMINATORY.
1t is said that this is an inquisitorial
tax. in hat 1t can only be laid by prying
into the private affairs of the individual.
and that it Is "A discriminatory tax be-
cause even after that has been done much
income escapes taxation.
All taxes which are laid on other than
visible property necessarily involve an
inquiry into the private business affairs
of the taxpayer. Experience shows that
unless the tax Is directed against prop
erty which is exposed to the view of all,
and which cannot be concealed, that
much which should justly he taxed cs-
capcs this burucn. For these reasons
many have contcndcd that only visible
property should be taxed.
The policy of our State H. otherwise.
We require, in the making of our invcn-
tories each year, a most merciless cx-
I position of the business of the taxpayers.
He must not only expose. but he must
make oath to the truthfulncss of the
expose. Comparing the inventory of to-
day with that of former years, it Is APP
parent that we are in nowise departing
from this policy. since every year puts
into this inventory questions which are
more searching.
Other States may with great force urge
that this form of taxation ought not to
be adopted because 1t is nquisltorical
The State of Vermont can with no man
Nor of consistency take that position, ana.
for one, | believe that the policy of YER
mont in this respect is right. In view OF
the subtcrfuges and the dishonest prac-
tees to which men habitually resort t.
escape their just proportion Of the bur
den of taxation, the government is iusti-
fed in resorting to tho most drastic
measures to force a proper compliance
with law. If the men who have property
and who can afford to pay will not vol
unfairly state their means. then thot
should he compelled to do Sc.
CALLED CLASS LEGISLATION.
1t is urged that an income tax is class
legislation. ard that this form of taxa
tion ought not. therefore, to be adopted.
Certainty nothing could be more dcplora-
HE than to stir 'p bitterness between
classes in this country Of ours. and any
law or any discussion tending in this di-
rcCtior should to, in so far as possible,
avoided. But this cannot be carried to
the extent Of declining to discuss or To
enact when thai is necessary to cor
rect for the future what has been wrong
N the past. If that class in the cCm-
munity which would be mainly affected
by an incom" tax has not contributed
IN time gone by It's proper proportion to
this public hul,lc'.. then ii is not class
legislation t. correct that wrong.
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