The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-15

Club put together.
Tho Internal Revenue CemDisAs.er's Re-
pert-The Income Tax.
Commissioner Rollins, Of the Internal Rove
nue Department, Is preparing his report for
the Secretary Of the Treasury; and It 10 70 be
presumed that, in addition to complete history
Of the workings and condition Of the depart
ment, he will recommend some notifications in
the Internal Revenue law for the consideration
Of Congress- The operations Of this law have
been successful in an extraordinary degree in
providing . vast revenue to the general gov
eminent; but at the same time II has been
and Is now more than ever excessively oppres-
sive upon the people, The most Objectionable
feature in the law is the income tax, IN impost
which can, under any circumstance, be only
justified BY III absolute necessity. Now, the
question arises whether Il Is any longer
necessity for tho maintenance Of the govern
ment in view Of the immense retarHs coming
into the Treasury. under oil provisions Of the
Internal Revenue Law, amounting 70 over Q
million dollars q day, end the large aooumula-
ton In the Treasury, which amounts TO
hundreds Of millions. II is decidedly the
popular opinion that no necessity exists for
the continuance Of . tax ON incomes 1t in
wolves in the 6rst place . large expense 10
collect it. It Is fraught with di1ioulty in the
collection and IL . constant source Of annoy
ancs to the taxpayers. 1t is inequitabie, too,
inasmuch as it IL In many cases interpreted in
favor Of the man Of large means and against
the man who earns little more than bare SUBJ
sistence, out of which, beyond certain limit,
he has to pay Eve dollars out Of every hundred
which he works hard to get; and lastly
which is the strongest argument of all against
the continuance Of this obnoxious tax-it Is not
required for the expenses Of the government.
The Internal Revenue law was enacted in
time of war, and the returns under is now
largely exceed the requirements Of the govern
ment in time Of peace The notifications made
during the last session Of Congress were in
adequate to the changed condition Of things,
and it is to be hoped that it will be altogether
remodelled at the approaching session, and
the income tax abolished entirely. Every con-
ceivable thing which we use is taxed, from .
lucifsr match to a pianoforts and the watch
we carry in our pocket; from silver spoon
to carriage or a yacht The bread we eat,
everything we drink, the medicines We are
compelled to consume are taxed; the very
doctor who prescribes them, and who brings
us into The world, il taxed in the shape Of =
license, and the undertaken who buries us after
the nostrums fail is taxed also; 80 that the In
ternal Revenue law follows AZ 10 our very
graves. There would be no objection 10 this
system Of taxing early and taxing often il there
WI any necessity for it. No one complained
Of high taxes during the war; they were paid
cheerrully; but the opinion has taken strong
hold Of tho public mind that the present rate
and method Of takaHon-the income tax
especially-is not requisite for the main.
tsnance Of peace establishment.
II will be well for Commissioner Rollins to
take these things into confederation when
drawing up his report, and also to make some
reference, in comparative way, to the tariff.
Though not exactly within the limits Of his
department yet, ~ source of revenue, it
bears somewhat upon the question he has to
deal with. 1t should be paramount duty Of
the forthcoming Congress to reduce taxation
in every shape to the minimum essential for
carrying on the government on . basis Of
peace. They will not be doing justice 10 the
country II they overlook this important mea-
sure.