Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-26
BY Raymond Radcliffe
In the English Review.

gladly part with a portion OF their
wealth II such self-sacrifice could meet
with national recognition. There are in
Vulnerable people who would be urged
by their wives to purchase honors. In
every small town and every borough, In
every city there exist thousands of pro-
fessional men who would be driven by
local competition TO acquire honors.
lhere are various ways in which the
tax could be collected. Present pos
SCISSORS might be informed that they
could not be allowed TO use their titles
unless they had paid the tax. and no one
would be permitted to use title unless
he paid In advance.
There are now thirty-one Dukes who
would none of them grudge 10000
tSo0,00o) q year for the right to con-
tinue the nonor. There are also about
1000 taxpayers whose income is equal to,
or exceeds, that of q Duke. Some OF
these millionaires are mean; others do
not care for honors. or are unmarried.
We will therefore place the total mum.
Der OF possible Dukes at 1000, and we
could hardly net less than G10,OO0.000
G50000.000) by this honor.
Marqu1ses now number thirty-nine,
and they should certainly be made to
pay $4,000 (s25,000) year. Taking the
income tax returns as a basis, we may
hope for at least 1,5o0 people capable OF
paying $4,000 (s25,OO0) year for an
honor which is today reckoned of con-
siderable value and which is seldom be-
slowed. This would give E7,500,OO0
($37 500, 00O).
Earls are more or less abundant
There are now no fewer than 227 who
should be able to pay moderate tax Of
$4,000 (S15.000) year. l also add at
least 5000 rich people who are able to
rank as Earls and would gladly con-
tribute TO the cost of the war. We may
hope to get round about G10,0O0,OO0
t$5O,000,0 00D out of the Earls.
Fiscounts have never been very popu-
lar and there are only eighty-five now
in existence, some of whom might find
difficulty in paying any tax at all This
title cannot be relied upon to produce
much. and if 500 ali told paid G25O0
would be lucky. 1t would not be safe TO
count upon more than G1,25O.000
($6.250, 000).
But there are 3S6 Barons who are ad-
dressed as Lords, and who except in
most exclusive circles. are practically as
good as the best Earl who ever fought
at Flodden. The general public does
not understand the niceties of the Her.
aids College and to the common herd a
as we all know, he is UNNECESSARILY in
fcrior when he goes to Court. Barons
should pay the modest figure Of $4,000
tSl0000) a year, and We can safely
reckon upon 10000 rich men in Great
Britain being not only ready but anxious
to pay this price for the right to be
addressed as my Lord" There are
$1,000 people who pay income tax upon
incomes ranging from $4,000 ($15,000) to
$1,000 ($35,o00) a year. Barons should,
contribute s40,000,000 (s200,000,0 O0)
without difficulty.
Baronets are occasionally impecunious,
and though there may be 1900 now en-
titled to the honor, l do not think that
any Chancellor could count upon large
number paying up. The tax being only
for the purpose of providing for the war,
cautious person would naturally choose
q knighthood. Therefore, in estimating,
It would be wiser to lump knights and