The national Republican., 1867-10-28
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THE NATIONAL TAXES.


commence iu long session. and the most impor-
tant subject which will press itself upon the at.
tentiou Of that body is the question Of national
taxation. The question Of revenue In all Of Its
phrases and ramifcations, will demand the care.
full aud considerato legislation Of Congress yari.
Gus conflicting interests will be represented there
in the com nitteeS on the aoor and In the lObbies,
and the struggle will 10 long and fierce. It will
require patient and earnest labor, careful re.
search, pure patriotism, and wise statosms msnship
to guide to sure and practical results. All in.
tereSts must be consulted, that that lsgiSlation
may be reached which gives assurance that un-
equal burdens will not be imposed upon any one
class to the unfair relief Of another. The great
macs of the people, who have stood BY the Gov.
ernmsnt, and who gave their sons and their
money to save an assaulted Union inviolate, will
stand by that Government to the end, and will
pay the interest on the public debt in the man
ner prescribed by law. They will also keep the
faith Of tho nation with the nations oreditorsi
will consent to bo taxed to meet the current ex-
penses Of tho Government, provided that rigid
economy and retrenchmont In public expendi.
tures be pursued which should inhere in every
department Of the Government In such times as
these.
There Is q diversity Of opinion in the public
mind in regard to the financial policy which
should be adopted at this time, particularly in
reference to tho mode of taxation, the amount
Of revenue to be raised, and the articles to be
assessed. Some are in favor Of raising enough
SO that We may enter at once upon the gradual
payment Of the national debit others contend
that no efforts Of this sort shonld now be made
to lesson the amount Of the public debit that We
should only raise enough to meet the interest,
and provide for our current expenses; that We
should wait till all the States are in line, and
have attained that degree Of prosperity which
will render these burdens comparatively light.
These differences Of opinion will manifest them
selves in Congress as well as out OF 1t, and will
occasion mu:h discussion, and contribute TO do.
lay definite congressional action for some time
Ht least 1t Ia desirable that legislation upon
this matter should be reached at as early day
ns is possible, with a correct adjustment Of the
whole question upon = righteous basis that shall
give as near as may bo universal satisfaction.
One question will stand prominent above all
others, and this Is, from what sources shall the
Government derive its revenue? Upon this
subject there will 10 much elAihing; as every
interest-for this is humAn-win desire to shiri
all II can, and cast upon others the burdsni
which it Is unwilling to share.
We notice that the Manufacturer Associa
tiOn of Detroit have recently put forth repor
which Is illustrative Of this very tendency vi
are considering The following Is the recon-
mendaton by which it appears the Detroit Man
- 49,
ment derive its revenue. They arc ten in all
Distilled spirits, tEhiskyi) fermsnted liquors
tobacco and cigars grOs, receipts, steamboat,
railways, etc. y banks, railways, and insuranc
companies! licenses; legaeies and successioni
stamps; brokers' sales of foreign bills and gol(
duties on imports.
It will be seen that many things which ougt
to be taxed are left out Of this schedule alt
gether. There Is nothing said about cotton an
sugar, nor Of manufactured fabrics, etc. Sue
narrow and illiberal system Of taxation as tn
can never be adopted. II It were possible to az
cspt this recommendation 1t could never Civ
satisfaction, nor, indeed, could the GOvernmer
ever realize half enough to meet its current .,
penses from these sources.
We sec no reason for eremptiDg cotton nj
sugar; nor, indeed, can we see any good reaso
for exempting anything or anybody from tax
tion whilO the nation is struggling with is might
load Of debt While we confess to a firm bsl
that the wealth and luxuries in the COUNT
should beHr tho lions share Of taxation at tn
time and while wo are for relieving as far
possible the productive industry Of the countr
and all articles Of consumption from onsro
burdens, We nevertheless believe that even the
should bear their part of the burden, and tn
help to tighten tho load under which the who
nation staggers.
We have Eeen, and are now seeing, what Is h
result Of what may be termed excessive taxati
upon luIuries or articles not classed among tho
ofprimo necessity-such, for instance, as whin
and tobacco. The daily fraud. by which t
Government is robbed Of millions is sufficient
impressive lesson upon this topic, so that
need not enlarge upon this subject. Ercsssi
taxation upon what are called Iu1uries never
pay, and never will, bat moderate taxation uT
everything, imposing upon wealth and luIr
their due share, will pay. Let Congress- th,
beware Of class legislation with reference to
revenue laws
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