The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-26
Reduce Taxation.

! Why should the people of the United States
be taxed 80 enormously Why should they
be called upon " raise revenue OF four hun
dred and sixty millions year? We say four
hundred and sixty millions, for that is accord
| ing to the rate of the Treasury income at pres
emit, the revenue for the last quarter, ending
| September 80, being over q hundred and
fifteen millions. Three hundred millions a
year should pay all the current expendi-
lures of the government, the interest on
the debt, and leave surplus of twenty
five Millions at least to be applied to the
liquidation Of the debt. The current expenses
for all the departments war, navy, civil
service, pensions and alI--ought not to exec ed
hundred and City millions. We are at peace
both at home and with all the world, with the
exception Of some Indian wars, which need not
be costly. Indian wars we have always had,
and The regular army of our peace establish
ment is sufficient for this purpose. Nor is there
any fear of any other war. The army is no
longer required for demonstrating the South.
il, indeed, it ever was, for that section of our
country is restored and acting in peaceful har-
mony with the North. A large standing army
Ii therefore unnecessary.
Admitting that we should have both larger
army and a respectable navy, in proportion
to the increase of population and the growing
Importance of the republic among the nations
OF the world, these branches of the public
service ought not to cost over sixty millions
-, ,.,sfl Co..
the civil service, including pensions, il we
reckon the total current expenditure at hum
dred and fifty millions. Who will not say this
ought to be sufficient? Indeed, it is too much
for an economical administration of the gov
eminent. 1t is double the amount expended
ten years ago, just before the war. Add the
interest on the debt, which is about one hun
drod and twenty-five millions, and the total
revenue required to meet the demands of gov
eminent is two hundred and seventy-fve mil
lions the government would then have sur
plus Of twenty-five millions year for the
liquidation Of the principal Of the debt. That
is all that should be asked now or the people
who have spilled their bleed for the Union,
and who have already paid so much of the cost
of the war. Is it not monstrous, then, to tax
us at the rate of four hundred and sixty mil
lions year?
The administration boasts Of having reduced
the principal Of the debt. What else could it
do with such an enormous income? But
would it not be better to boast of taking off
the burdensome taxes? Would it not make
more political capital, if that be its object, by
relieving the people of their burdens than by
paying so much of the debt as it is now paying?
Besides, such stupendous surplus revenue
leads to corruption, extravaganza and the en-
ployment of an army of office-holders. = 1t tends
to sap the foundation Of public virtue and to
demoralize the community. 1t leads to extra
vagance among the people and keeps up high
prices. Ths manufacturers may wish to
perpetuate this system of raising an enormous
revenue, because it calls for high tariff and
affords them projections but the mass of the
people--the farmers. planters and oil the
industrious classes-are the sufferers If
Congress would reduce the taxes hundred
uHu my, VI cVeh uuAuIcu uuuoHS year,
which the government could very well afford,
the amount thus saved to the people would 60
to the development of the country and to
increase the national wealth. The next
generation, or even the people ten years
hence, would be far better able to pay the
principal Of the debt than we are. Reduce the
taxes, then to the lowest point that an ecsno-
mical administration of the government and a
sinking fund of twenty-five or thirty millions
year for liquidating the debt will admit. A
revenue of three hundred millions ought to be
amply sufficient for this. We advise General
Grant, Secretary Boutwell, and Congress to
establish system Of financial policy in accord
ance with these views.