Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1905 — UNEQUAL TAXATION. [ARTICLE]

UNEQUAL TAXATION.

Railroads aad Trusts Pay Nothin* For Support of Government. The railroad corporations do not pay any tax for support of the government of the United States, and the railroad magnates pay no more than the ordinary citizen unless they drink more imported, wines or cigars. If all the millions that are Invested in railroads were taxed there would be Instead of a deficiency In the treasury an enormous surplus, for the bonds and stocks of the railroads are returned as amounting to over $13,000,(XX»,000, that sum being greater by nearly $4,1>00,000,000 than all the bank deposits, including the deposits of the railroads and the trusts Ml the money in circulation In the United States is less than $2,500,000,000, not one-fifth of what the railroads have Issued stocks and bonds for. many of which are selling for much above par and some far more than twice as much. The system of taxation that makes the poor man pay as much as the rich man pays for tariff taxes on nearly all he consumes and an internal revenue tax on the tobacco, cigars and cigarettes he smokes and on the beer and whisky he drinks Is ly one to commend Itself as a fair dis- 7 trlbution of the burdens of government. And when on top of this the railroad corporations and the enormous trust combines pay nothing In taxes for the support of the government Is it any wonder that the people are tired paying these corporations unreasonable rates and profits and demand that congress curb them and protect the public? The Democratic party demands that these Inequalities of taxation shall be remedied, and one of the main reasons for its defeat In the last three national campaigns has been the enormous campaign funds furnished to the liepublican party by the untaxed corporations and combines and their millionaire owners. The Republican party has built up this system of unequal taxation and of course has the active and material aid of the great Interests It has protected.