Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1923-01-03


both political parties acted moro or
less through fear. and without proper
confederation Of thu problem Of rails
ing sufficient money to meet tho neoes-
stiles Of the state government. n prob
lem which now faces you.
realize that this law ir unpopular
but 81 must he borne IN mind that
every law imposing a lax In unpopular
with tho people included within u
and that the only reason this law r.
moro so than other taxing laws Is
beoause II comes nearer reaching
every adult person within the State
than anything heretofore attempted.
IL may 81 that some change in the
law could DO made which would make
IL more convenient for the taxable. but
the principle involved. VIZ: OF CON-
Polling every adult person 20 contri-
butte each year the small sum 81 50
toward the expense OF the state gov
eminent. ought not 70 be abandoned.
On the other and the right 20 compel
every person 10 share this much Of
states burden should be reaflrmed by
providing such penalties for its viola
non as would make It's collection more
certain and less expensive.
j believe this right viii soon rpen
/ into necessity when the many ap-
! peals for appropriations that ara sure
20 be presented 20 this Legislature
have been carefully and conscientious
! Is considered.
Shall the insane. the blind, the fee
bic minded. tho sick be neglected be-
| cause some OF our people desire 70
escape the payment OF as small a sum
as 81 per year TO supper. their state
government? Shall our childredn ba
housed IN inadequate places. and edu-
cation Of the youth generally neglect
ed because there are men and women
! among MS who are unwilling 10 contri-
butte as much as twenty-five cents per
month 10 this cause2 The fact that
the people OF this state so long escaped
any such burden Is no answer 10 the
contention that Il is now necessary
Progress and public Improvement OF
necessity carry with them increased
taxes. and the idea that any class car
escape Is Inconsistent with our form
Of government. l am forcedsto believe
that the people who object the mos
10 this fling Zee are those who IA,
no other tax: but what claims car
anybody have 10 the protection Siver
by our state when they contrtbut,
nothing 70 It's support? How shall IN,
state be maintained? How shall pub
lie education 80 forward unless thos,
who are able 10 work shall bear theil
share2 And who ahall say that IN,
small sum OF 50 per Year ia too much
"A matter Of about one cent per da,
Tor each working day.
The Legislature may he able 70 I'm,
some method 81 taxation as a substi
tute Tor the filing Zee. but l doub
whether any can be found that Is NOR,
equitable.
Il must be admitted that the moneo
) this tax is calculated 10 bring IN mus
come from some source. Surely IN,
} real estate ia at tho present time bear
p ing its share OF tho burden. IL ha,
, been suggested that the additional
revenue be raised by a registration
! fee--a fee 10 DO paid for the right Z,
; vote. ANY such plan as this woul,
be- u long stride backward and shout,
not, in my judgment, be seriousll
? considered
) II may be that the Legislature vii
: feel compelled, in view OF their respec
tive party platforms. 10 80 modify thi
! law as 10 do away with the 81 nin,
? fee, hut ! urge upon the Legislature
the Necessity OF carefully consider4ni
b the condition OF the public schools an
? the financial condition OF the stat
generally before making any sue
] change In this law. shall he glad indee
! II the Legislature can find some mean
I OF relieving the people OF this state q
$ this burden without imposing an un
5 Just burden upon others, but YOU ar
4 face to face with a difficult problem
e a problem which think tho people {
this state ought not to have submitte
TO YOU again for solution.
Il Workmen's Compen satiou.
5 After an experience of FIVE years /
e the state Of Delaware. this human
D and beneficial legislation can ne safe
Y ly said 10 have fulfilled the cxpects
o lions OF It's sponsors and it's eontir
n ued srovth in favor with both en-