Congress Wields Ax at Taxes
1/2/1924
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The power to tax balances Congress’s power to appropriate money for spending. Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution grants Congress power to “lay and collect taxes.” Article I, Section 7, specifies that tax legislation must originate in the House of Representatives. Since the beginning of the Republic, Congress has grappled with what taxes should be levied, how much revenue should be raised, and who should bear the greatest tax burden. Tax Reduction was high on the agenda for the new Congress. This cartoon shows Uncle Sam hoping that Congress is prepared to take an ax to taxes. Cartoonist Clifford Berryman shows Uncle Sam leaning against a large tree trunk representing U.S. Taxes, reading a paper which notes that the Senators start the new year in an axe wielding contest. Uncle Sam comments: "Glad the boys are fitting themselves for the impending work."
This cartoon was drawn by Clifford Berryman, one of Washington, DC's best-known cartoonists in the early to mid-1900s. Berryman drew for the Washington Post and Evening Star newspapers. His cartoons touched on a variety of subjects including politics, elections, and both World Wars.
This cartoon was drawn by Clifford Berryman, one of Washington, DC's best-known cartoonists in the early to mid-1900s. Berryman drew for the Washington Post and Evening Star newspapers. His cartoons touched on a variety of subjects including politics, elections, and both World Wars.
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. Senate, 1789 - 2015.
National Archives Identifier: 6011829
Full Citation: Congress Wields Axe at Taxes; 1/2/1924; (G-098); Berryman Political Cartoon Collection, 1896 - 1949; Records of the U.S. Senate, 1789 - 2015, Record Group 46; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/congress-wields-ax-taxes, April 19, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.