The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-27
SPIRIT OF Tun PRESS.
Editorial Opinions of the LeadingJeurnaIs
upon Current Topios-Compiled Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph.
TAXING INCOMES.

tax, but we are sure that the feeling is an
impulsive one, and not at all based on de-
liberate reflection. The tax is unpopular in
its operation, chiefly by reason of the mex
perience of the people with regard to taxa
tion in general 1t is to be remembered that
previous to the war we had little or no neces-
sity in that direction. We had no public
debt, and a very economical governmental
machinery. We consequently had no need to
put taxes upon the necessities of life, or in
any way to impair the industries of the
country The case is very different now, and
it is most remarkable to note the willingness
of the people to submit to the burden. We
doubt if history furnishes a parallel to the
cheerful submission of our citizens to degree
of taxation, in q crude and repulsive form,
which would not be tolerated for a moment
in any other civilized country.
1t is this cheerful and submissive temper
which calls most loudly for careful considera-
tion, and it ought to meet corresponding
treatment from Congress, as well as from the
officials who have charge of the collection of
taxes. The study should be how to tighten the
burdens of the people, and at the same time
to produce the necessary amount of funds;
and not, as sometimes seems to be the case at
Washington, to get the most out of the
people without regard to the interests affected.
On principle there is no question that the
income tax is one of the best devices of the
whole revenue scheme. 1t reaches interests
which ought to be reached, and which cannot
be SO fairly reached in any other way. 1t falls
upon class which can best afford to pay, and
which would otherwise evade their proper
contribution to the general requirement of
revenue. Yet while the imposition is emil
nently wise and salutary, it is one which is
inevitably unpopular, simply because it falls
upon a class who largely control popular
sentiment. Hence the necessity for polite
regard to all those details which affect the
general verdict.
The income tax is the most clamored about
of any, for the reason that it has been the
worst administered, besides being excessive
in its rate. The regulations which have been
made with reference to its collection have
been inquisitorial and exceedingly offensive;
but there is no doubt that the amount realized
from it has been clear gain to the mass of
taxpayers, for the reason that it would not
have been realized from any other source.
But 272, S43 persons out of our forty millions
of people pay the tax, amounting to about
thirty million dollars, and we venture to
say that no equal amount is raised which falls
upon class better able to pay it. If we could
get rid of the odious features of the collection,
and could make the burden fall where it
ought, the tax would be as popular as it now
is odious. How best to do this is the problem;
slider very seriously. We are glad to see that
there is growing appreciation of this neces-
sity, and that members are beginning to see
that the popular demand for reform must be
needed
That the present tax is excessive is very
generally admitted, and that it is annoyingly
collected there are thousands of witnesses to
testify; but those facts do not afford sufi-
cient ground for its entire abolition. We
hox Gtf1a Ho1hf hat uyith a radun frnY
five to two, or even three per cent, an in
crease in the amount of exemption, and a
more considerate and thorough collection,
the tax could be made to yield far more than
it does, and at the same time be popularized.
While the fact is indisputable that we are
raising altogether too much money by taxa
ton, it is equally apparent that we have
not yet learned the best methods and
sources of revenue. English statesmen
have made taxation study, and they seem
to have brought the science very nearly to
perfection. With them the income tax is a
favorite, just as it will be with us when we
come to know it better. What we need is a
general reduction of taxation, and to place
the burden where it will be felt the least. We
hold that moderate and properly collected
income tax will be the most satisfactory and
just of any that can be devised, and we hope
the House of Representatives will firmly
resist the effort of the Senate to keep it al
its present figure, chiefly for the reason that
we think such course is calculated to make
the tax odious and ultimately to cause its alb
solute repeal.
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF FREE RUM
From the N. Y. Herald
On Sunday last there was no police surveil
lance of the drinking-shops in the city anC
no active restraint upon the sale of beve
lkoa.n Nokl. L..
the part of the keepers of bar-rooms that they
would not be interfered with than an under
standing to that effect between them and the
police Many drinking places were closed as
usual but the larger number were open in
quiet way. The initiated could get in at
side entrance, and an enterprising traveller
would have found that the key was not turned
against him even at the main entrance. Thi
anomalous condition seems to have been tht
result of some uncertainty in regard to th
present state of the law touching the sale o
liquors on Sunday. There was so much don,
and undone by the Legislature in its actor
on the Excise law that it was not really know
whether Sunday clause was in force ant
the dealers, on the one hand, feared to vic
late law that might still be vital, while tn
police, on the other hand were doubtful O
authority to interfere with the traffic. AS
fact, therefore, the dram trade was free, ant
it is a coincidence worthy of note that tn
murder return is very large. Four assaults
each one ending in death or lilzelyso to end
are reported for that single day. Whisll
was apparently the Immediately excitin
cause in every case.
The most fragrant of these outrages was til
murder of ODay, the direct consequence of
drunkard's quarrel. Doubtless in this cas-
the city is we'll enough rid of the victim; bu
as we cannot always be sure what sort of
yoon ic 10 ha taban off IL 10 nona tha lacc Il