The courts have generally held that direct taxes are limited to taxes on people (variously called capitation, poll tax or head tax) and property. (Penn Mutual Indemnity Co. v. C.I.R., 227 F.2d 16, 19-20 (3rd Cir. 1960).) All the taxes are typically called "indirect taxes," basically because they tax an event, rather than an individual or property as such. (Steward Machine Co. v. Davis, 301 U.S. 548, 581-582 (1937).) What were a straightforward limitation on the power of the legislature based on ...