THE ARCHIVIST

Letter expresses taxpayer's pocketbook pains

Since its beginning, The Oklahoman has published thousands of letters to the editor. Each letter expresses the personal opinions of the writer.

William C. Reville, Chickasha, submitted this letter March 17, 1946:

I PRESENT the following letter from a fellow taxpayer to his banker:

It is impossible for me to send you any money in response to your request. My present financial condition is due to the effect of federal laws, state laws, county laws, corporation laws, by-laws, mother-in-laws and outlaws. I have been held down, held up, walked on, flattened out and squeezed until I don't know where I am, who I am, what I am or why I am.

These laws compel me to pay a merchant tax, capital tax, income tax, poll tax, real estate tax, personal tax, auto tax, gas tax, water tax, light tax, cigar tax, street tax, school tax, syntax and carpet tax.

The government has so governed my business that

I do not know who owns it.

I am suspected, inspected, disrespected, examined and re-examined, until all I know is that I am supplicated for money for every need, desire and hope of the human race. And because I refuse to go out and beg, borrow or steal money to give away, I am cussed, discussed, boycotted, talked to, talked about and lied about, until the only reason I am clinging to life is to see what the - - - is coming next.

For many years, March was the month federal, state, county and local taxes were due. In 1955, the due date for federal and state income taxes was changed to April 15.

If you would like to contact Mary Phillips about The Archivist, email her at gapnmary@gmail.com.