The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-05-13
ADDRESS
Of Congressman Tavenner In
Support Of
The Income Tax Law Up Be.
fore The House

washington, May J-DecIaring the
belief that in casting his vote for an
income tax, he was carrying out the
desire not only OF the Democrats of
his district, but of 80 per cent of the
RANK and file of Republicans and Pro
gressives as well, Congressman Clyde
H. Tavenner of Illinois made speech
on the floor Of the House, on the in.
come tax, which was given close at.
tention by both Republicans and
Democrats.
AS a Washington newspaper cores
pondent, Tavenner has been advoca&-
ing an income tax for years. Many Of
his articles on the subject have been
sent broadcast over the country by
the Democratic Congressional Com.
mittee. Tavenner's speech was warm
~ applauded on the Democratic side.
When went before the voters, In
the campaign last fall" said Taven.
ner, Il made the declaration, repeat.
ing it over and over. that should be
elected, l would make a conscientious
endeavor to ascertain how they desir.
ed lie to vote on important legislation.
and then vote that way. made that
declaration In every good faith. do
sire no greater tribute when I shan
conclude my service in this House.
than that the people Of my district
may say to me: "He made a practice
OF ascertainlng how the people OF his
district desired him to vote on even
the simplest piece of legislation, and
then voted that way.
I'm keeping with my prediction
promise, II Is my intention to cast my
vote, on behalf OF the Fourteenth iii.
nois district, for the income tax. /
believe in all sincereity, Mr.. Chair.
man, that in doing SO, am carrying
out the desires Of not only the Demo.
Gratis OF my district, but Of fully 80
per cent OF. the rank and file OF Repub.
licans Of my district, and Of the Pro
gressives, Socialists and Prohibition.
lists.
The income tax Is a part OF the pro.
gram of this side Of the House to re.
duce the ever-increasing cost of living
in this country. The program. and II
Is being carried out, is to take some
OF the tax of OF such articles as wool.
ems, cottons, sugar. meat and lumber,
and tl;en to make up for the loss OF
this revenue to the government by
levying tax on the incomes of the
wealthy. Strange to say. up to this
moment wealth has not been taxed to
the extent OF single penny to defray
the expenses of the national govern.
ment. This is almost unbelievable,
but It is absolutely true, and will not
be denied on this floor or elsewhere.
1T is true that wealth Is taxed for
the benefit of cities, counties and
states, but revenue for building battle
ships. maintaining the army and navy,
and running the national government,
Is obtained solely by taxing the things
eaten. worn and used by the people.
Since the poor eat as much as the
rich, and wear clothing on which the
terif tax is higher than on the quail
ties worn by the rich, 1t Is obvious
that the poor contribute as much to-
ward bearing the burden Of national
taxation as do the rich. Under the
present fiscal system of the United
States. nearly everything is taxed
save wealth. Wealth alone is exclud-
ed from taxation. And submit that
wealth should be the first thing to
be taxed. The pending bill, removing
a very moderate portion OF the burden
OF taxation from the bending backs of
the poor, and placing 1t on the rich.
who are best able to bear 1t, will go
down In history as the fairest, sanest.
and most progressive measure ever
presented to Congress with hope OF
passage.
"Mr. Chairman. do not believe that
It is just that the men who own 80
per cent of the wealth Of the United
States should bear but 10 per cent Of
the burden OF taxation. II members
agree with me, that such condition
IL unjust, then submit the pending
bill Is move in the right direction to
remedy IT,"