Equal? That is the word! On that word I plant myself and my party. –Charles B. Aycock
Equal rights to all and special privileges to none. –Thomas Jefferson
The first text quoted above was the last words written by the late Governor Charles B. Aycock in announcing his candidacy for the United States Senate. He never uttered them because he died before the hour fixed for his great speech. But they have all the significance of the last words of a noble man and at this hour of all hours they need to be invoked. It was upon that doctrine, differently stated by Thomas Jefferson, “equal rights to all and special privilege to none” that its great founder placed the Democratic party when it came into power for a quarter of a century in 1800. It has always been the cardinal principle of that great party and has never been departed from by Democratic representatives except at the loss of prestige and principle. The Republican party is frankly the sponsor for privilege, and its laws are drawn upon the theory that if the great interests are prosperous a part of the prosperity will trickle down and reach the body of the people. Democrats have always contended that such policy was contrary to every principle that should prevail in a government where the people are equal.
The recent trend is toward an abandonment of the ancient Democratic doctrine in North Carolina. We are in danger of being seduced by the power of wealth from the ancient landmarks. The financial situation which confronts the General Assembly today demands one of three courses:
--A reduction of appropriations;
--An increase of taxation;
--Bond issues to meet the demands of enlarged activities.
The first seems unattractive, and proper support of our educational and eleemosynary [philanthropic] institutions prevents large reductions, though there should be rigid economy all along the line. It is unthinkable that bonds be issued to pay yearly expenditures. The problem is where to secure the necessary money. . there have been several selections. Among them may be mentioned.
The second method is to levy a State tax on land. This has been dismissed. Not for many years have farmers found it so difficult to raise the money to pay their taxes as in the past two years. It would be a grievous burden to add State taxes to land when all other taxes have been segregated for State purposes. This will not be done.
The State was astounded yesterday morning to read that a plan had been proposed, baited with a silver hook, to induce rich men to make their homes in North Carolina by reversing the State policy of taxation for their benefit. At present if one owns stocks in foreign corporations he must list it for taxation along with other property. That has been the law time out of mind. Now the theory is advanced if the rich were assured their property of this character would not be taxed in North Carolina, some of them would be induced to locate here. And, in this hope, very shadowy, there is a suggestion that large income tax will be derived from incomes while they live and from inheritances when they die. In this hope, it is proposed to change the principle of taxation that has prevailed in North Carolina for many years. It is a modern case of selling the birthright for a mess of pottage without any assurance of obtaining the pottage. The Legislature would not be justified in depending on this source of revenue.
North Carolina’s constitutional provision that the income tax shall not be higher than six per cent is an inducement for men with big incomes to locate in North Carolina. It was not made as an inducement. It conferred no special privilege. It applied alike to the natives and new-comers, for North Carolinians believe in laws applying equally to all, and the protection of all citizens.
The principle that we shall shape our laws to give special privilege to rich men who may be induced to come into the State is contrary to the whole spirit of the law of this democratic commonwealth. We wish them to come. We invite them to come. We promise them equal protection. But if they elect to demand special privilege as the price of citizenship, then North Carolina will not barter its faith inequality for any expediency.
Equal—That is the word. On that doctrine the State plants itself and the Democratic party will be true to it today and tomorrow as it has been in all its yesterdays.
From the editorial page of The Raleigh News & Observer, Feb. 21, 1923
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