The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-06

II the income from this source cannot be spared
from the general receipts, and other objects cannot
be found more acceptable as substitute, 1t is for
Congress to determine whether or not the tax shall
be renewed.
In considering this question, after determining the
total amount which ought to be realized from inter-
nal revenue sources and considering carefully what
will be realized by the present system, without re-
sorting to ncemes the question will present itself,
whether the entire income tax now assessed,
shall be revived, or whether 1t shall be renewed at
less rate OF taxation. My opinion is that long as
large internal revenue is required by the financial
necessities OF the Government, portion OF that
revenue shonld be collected from incomes. The
reasons for this seem apparent and forcibe, This
tax reaches simply the profits Of trade and business
and the increased wealth of individuals from invest
ments. II the tax were paid as these pronts ana
accumulations accrue it is believed that 1t would be
thought Objectionable, but being required to be paid
all at one time, and often after the income has been
reduced by the expenses OF the taxpayer or len-
vested in business, IL seems more onerous, ana ls
more seriously complained against.
The objection most frequently and earnestly made
against this tax is that 1t leads to system OF esp
onage into private affairs that ls NOT only offensive
] do not see why this objection may not, with
equal force, be urged against all taxes upon personal
property. Such taxes cannot be collected without
ascertainlng the amount of taxable property pos
sessed by the taxpayer. The law imposing tax
upon incomes does nothing more than this, If so
much. 1t simply requires n truthful and honest
statement OF the actual income Of the taxpayer
during the preceding year, which can he complied
with as easily and with as little exposure OF private
affairs, as any other law-nationa State, or NUM-
ipal-whch seeks to raise revenue from the per-
sonal estate OF taxpayers.
After ALL it is but tax upon the increased wealth
of the nation and when it is understood that Gov
and that the interest on these securities produces
large amount OF the income Of taxpayers, submit
II 1t VIII be wise to abolish the income tax 80 long
country are directly or indirectly subjected to any
considerable taxation.
Expenses of Collecting the Revenue.
There were paid for expenses incident to
the collection OF the revenue for 1865. .sS, TGs14
Deduct the amount paid to store
Keepers act OF July 20, 1861. 6OS,01s
Leaving for this year on the basis of the ac-
count for 1865. 6,7s5,4T
Decrease in favor OF 1862 ST. 991 1897
BY an amendment to the act of July 90 1865 passed
March 4, 1869, the compensation OF storekeepers is
to be repaid to the Government by the manufactu-
rers of distilled spirits acd owners OF warehouses.
These repayments found to be difficult to collect,
and am Of opinion that this mode Of paying store
keepers should be abolished at once Only slT5,7S5
OF the amount expended by the Government for this
purpose had been repaid on the 30th OF June, 1862
The accounts OF this bureau do not show precisely
S U e r l0r year.
brace expenses actually incurred in the preceding
year.
The expenses OF the bureau for the year 1868
were s5G7,2l4
Deduct the cost of printing stamps, and for
rent loOoOo
Actual expenses of the bureau for 1885,. 4l7,214
Expenses Tor the year 1869. ......... f656,395
Actual expenses ....,..........-- 4OO,s95
Decrease in favor of 1862 ................ 16si9
Prior to the act OF July 20, 1868. stamps for dis
titled spirits and tobacco were required This eX-
pense has now become an important item.
The commissions allowed on the sale Of
stamps for 1869 were. .s9l5217
1905 SOOO5S
Increase for 1869 9......................1O 1O9,57s
These COMMISSIONS were at the same rate during
each year, and the increase s the larger sale
of stamps during the year 1869.