Speech #610032597

And as it is demonstrable that an income tax is absolutely necessary under the provisions of this bill to in any degree equalize the burdens of raising revenue for the Government. it is a tax eminently proper. It has been estimated by the proponent of this amendment for an income tax. the Senator from Texas . that it will produce a revenue of from sixty to eighty millions of dollars. Another item of revenue production that would be just and fair would be the imposition of a head tax upon immigrants. Twenty millions of dollars could thus be raised through those who come to our country to enjoy the blessings of liberty. If they are worthyto come. they will not object to paying something for the privileges they receive. If they are not worthy. a head tax can not be raised too high in order to exclude them. If you are in earnest in your desire to benefit the labor of the country. here is an opportunity for you to do something for them. You ask the Government to allow you to tax the consumer because. you say. you want to benefit the laborers. Your plea is that you do not want the American laborer to have to compete with the cheap labor of Europe. If you are sincere. here is an opportunity for you to show it. Exclude the cheap labor of Europe by putting a head tax high enough to prevent that cheap labors entrance. After raising $70.000.000 from an income tax and $20.000.000 from a head tax on immigration to this country. you will then. if you desire to be equitable and just in the enactment of your tariff laws. reduce the duty on articles used by the plain laboring people of the country. When I say laboring people. I mean those who labor. not only with their hands but with their brainsthe man who labors in the field and factory. behind the counter and in the offices of the Irofessions. in the schoolroom. and in every other vocation.