The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-09-28
REDUCTION OE TAxTION.

1t is somewhat singular that the republican
newspapers and the treasury department, in
manufacturing statements to show that
Grants administration has been success,
so far Is its management of the finances il
concerned, do not make out tables relating
20 the same subjects any two of which
agree.
We are told that the republican congress
of 1866 repealed taxation to the amount of
sos 600, 600; that the republican congress
of 1867 repealed taxation to the extent of
100000, 900; that the republican congress
of 1868 repealed taxation $6S, 900, 900; and
In 1870 reduced taxation $50, 600, 900 where
OF S23, 100000 were taken from the tariff =
making a total reduction in four years o.
$22S, 100000
The revenues of the government from eli
sources, save those of loans and treasury
notes, were, for the year ending June so
1868, S405, 63S ,0S3 81; for the year ending
June 30, 1869, they were 1870, 943,747 II
and for ne year enoing June 80, 1870, they
were s4ll ,255,4 AT 63.
How could the taxes have been reduced
to the extent OF SOS ,000, 900 in four years
and yet yield St 100000 more of revenue
now than they did in 1868, and SAC, 900, 0oC
more now than they did in 1869? 1t redu
cling the taxes to the extent of S7S 200, 00f
adds nearly two thirds that amount to the
revenue OF the government, congress cannot
do better than to keep on in the work OF
reduction.
The figures we have given are taken from
the annual repor. of the secretary of the
treasury for 1869, and from his annual
summary statement dated August IL, 1870.
They do not show the grand total receipts
of the treasury. The United States rreasu-
rer received from sales of government
property of various descriptions, and from
re-payments into the treasury, during the
year ending June last, $69,200,656 80,
making the total receipts of the treasury for
that year $3.50, 456 1874 SO. The amounts
so received by the treasurer do not appear
IN the annual report of Mr.. Boutwell,, and
are in now wise connected with the question
of the reduction of taxation.
To lower the tax upon articles upon
so heavy an imposition ID laid that the
temptation to defraud is so great as to lead
dealers in those articses to exercise all o I
their ingenuity to cheat the treasury, is an
excellent method BY which to add to the
revenue receipts. Not a day goes by in
which the republican press does not boast
that Grants administration is collecting
more revenue than was collected under
Johnson, and at the same time that press is
busy in efforts to make showing that taxes
were cut down S6S,00o, 900 in 1868, and
ESQ ,000, 900 in 1870.
The statements concerning the reduction
of tax alton were taken from the leading
republican newspapers of this city, and we
invite its attention to the following figures
prepared by Mr.. Richardson, assistant sec
Rotary of the treasury, and sent out as al
electioneerlng document about three weeks
ago. He says the treasury receipts from
September |, 1867, to March l, 1860, were
$6i3, 728,9 6S 81. During the last named
period there was an increase in revenue
from customs of $43.00O,0OO, and from
internal revenue of S53 100000.
IF this be trne, how does it tally with the
statement that there was a reduction Of
10000, 900 in 1867, and Of $68 900 ,000'in
1868? Were the taxes reduced slS0,000,-
600, and the revenue increased more than
s90,000,OO0, in eighteen months p Chicago
Times.