The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-03-02

of revenue, while in the North they
are of very little Importance.
The poll tax is the fifth kind of
tax. This tax is a fiat tax which
some states and local governments
levy on everybody regardless of their
wealth or income. 1t is usually two
or three dollars per person. In some
states it applies only to qualified vot-
ers; in some states only to men, and
in others to both sexes. This tax is
very inexpensive to collect. The in
come from this tax is little and its
collection rather lax and it disregards
the ability to pay.
The excise tax is the sixth kind of
tax, and is levied on such commodities
produced within a country, such as
cigars, whiskey, automobiles, gaso-
line, candy, chewing gum and amuse-
ments. Usually the producer pays
the tax direct to the government and
then places a stamp on the goods to
prove he has paid the tax. This tax
is levied by the Federal Government
only.
This Federal tax had it's origin in
1894 when Alexander Hamilton lev
led tax on whiskey. After each war |
the excise tax increases on commodi- {,
ties.
Since 1917 Congress has repealed
the so-called nuisance tax: that is,
the taxes levied on soft drinks and
low priced goods. These kinds of
taxes cause higher cost of living.
The seventh kind of tax is the GUS
toms duties tax. These are taxes |
laid upon certain articles imported
into the country. This tax is collected |
according to number or bulk or value.
This tax has a large number of dis |
advantages: ~ these taxes usually |
bear heavily upon people who have
small incomes rather than those with |
large incomes; (2) the duties are very |
uncertain. During war the need
for revenue may be great, but I'M
ports may decline and revenues de-
crease; (3) duties are very inelas-
tic. The tariff cannot be changed fire.
quently to meet the need for revenue
because it would have very bad eff
feet on business.
Now do you think taxes are too
high? The amount Of indirect taxes
should increase while direct taxes
decline.
The taxes which hurt people most
are the taxes which must be paid d.
rectly to the government and this is
called a direct tax. A direct tax re-
duces the income of the one who is
taxed, while the indirect tax raises the
standard of living and thus lowers
the real income of those who use the
taxed goods.
Taxes are very unpopular and legis-
lators know it. Therefore, they cling
to the old manner of taxation-to in
direct taxes and taxes on the rich.
Taxes that meet with the least oppo-
sition are those that can be hidden in
the price of commodities.
Suppose you had no tax to pay. All
the extra work done in the community
would have to be done free. The ed
ucation of your children would be
very expensive and very few people
would be able to secure an educa.
tion-only those who could afford to
pay for it from their private funds.
AS result our nation would be back
ward-similar to the Indian tribes
which roamed America.
We would have no outside protec'
ton if we paid no taxes. Our trade
with other nations would be limited
and we would have no real form Of
government.
Now be thankful you have tax to
pay. All should shoulder their re-
sponsibilities instead of imposing up
on few people of the community.