Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1920 — ONE BURDEN LIGHTENED [ARTICLE]

ONE BURDEN LIGHTENED

Millions of men and women who have just paid taxes on incomes of >5,000 and less found the rate 33 per cent lower than It was lor the previous year, and their saving was in proportion. That is to say, noi including * exemptions, this saving averaged >2 on every >IOO of income upon which paynient was made To many thousands of persons on wages and salaries this reduction in the rate meant a cut of >lO or >2O in this year's payment. This decrease in the tax rate on the smaller incomes—those of the vast number of taxpayers who depend on their daily earnings—is due to the foresight of a Democratic congress. At the moment that hostilities were brought to a close in November, 1918, the sixty-fifth congress —a Democratic body—made prompt provision for a reduction in tie tax rate on the average man’s income during the succeeding calendar year—that is, for 1919. In the aggregate this saving to those who can least affofd to pay taxes runs into many millions of money. It appreciably reduces the cost of living in tens of thousands of homes. It will unquestionably to gratefully remembered by those who found at least one burden lighter than they expected it to be.

Even in the few instances in which tbe present Republican congress has taken any action at all it has made only a negative use of its power and authority. It has blocked legislation on the subject of taxation; opposed attempts on the part of the executive departments to control the cost of living; cut appropriations for the navy and for other branches of the public service; rejected every recommendation made by President Wilson, and capped the climax by obstructing and delaying peace. Defenders of this Republican congress must admit that its principal efforts have been directed to hampering a Democratic administration. It will be discovered that it was neither good morals nor good strategy to spend time and labor to discredit, instead of trying to match. Democratic performance. Which platform are the Republicans going to adopt at their national convention —the one to be written by a youth “less than 25 years old” for the prize offered by a wealthy mtember of the party, or that framed by the committee of 171 veteran politicians selected by Chairman Hays? Republican senators have made consideration of the treaty an excise tor delaying constructive legislation as well as an occasion for attacking President Wilson. They are about to be deprived of their pretext forignoring the duties which they owe in the way of domestic measures. When the Republicans begin to seek election on the strength of some one else’s alleged omissions or mistakes, instead of-on the basis of their own performances, they will find getting office more difficult than they now suspect. President Wilson has reminded the Republican senatorial obstructionists that nullification of the treaty cannot be disguised as ratification, no matter how nice the choice of verbi- 1 age may be.