ction; and if
so, we shall beyond all question share the same fate. The extension of
the income tax, on a graduated scale, to persons as low even as L50
a-year, is the only way to arrest this great and growing evil. What is
wanted is not the money to be drawn from these poorer but more numerous
classes, but the _interesting them in resisting_ its undue extension. If
150,000 persons only pay the income tax, it is very likely ere long to
be raised to 10 or 15 per cent. _If a million pay it, no such extension
need be dreaded._ No matter though the additional 850,000 pay only 10s.
a piece, or L425,000 in all: their doing so would probably save the
state from ruin. What is wanted is not their money, but their breath;
not their contributions, but their clamour. They have a majority of
votes in the constituencies. In a serious conflict their voice would be
decisive in favour of any side they espoused. Interested to prevent the
confiscation of property, they will effectually do so. Exempted from
direct taxation, they will promote its increase till it has swallowed up
the state, and themselves in its ruin, as it did the Roman empire.

So much has been said on the inequalities and injustice of the present
system of direct taxation established in Great Britain, that little room
remains for the true principles on the subject; but fortunately, like a
beacon, it shows what rock should be avoided in the course. A system of
direct taxation would not be far from just, which in every respect was
precisely the reverse of that which at present exists amongst us.

I. The first thing to be done is to equalise the succession tax, lay it
equally on land and personal estate, and lower it to the whole
_one-half_. Five per cent. in succession to strangers; two-and-a-half to
relations; and a half per cent. to parents or brothers, alike in land
and money, would probably augment the produce of the tax, and certainly
greatly relieve a most meritorious class of society, the representatives
of small capitals.

II. All direct taxes should be levied equally on landed and personal
estates, and, subject to the distinction after-mentioned, equally on
professional income, as the fruit of realised capital. This rule should
apply to all local or parochial, as well as public burdens. The effect
of it would be to let in, as taxable income, in addition to the
L2,666,000 now derived from land, a sum at least as large derived from
personal estates or incomes. It