The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-03-25

ing the precious rtok, ending Narch IL,
0O,G5O.
How 10 Raise Revenue for the Nation.
Congress is just now engaged in one OF its
periodical debates upon the tariff. and the
protectionists and frcc-traders in aud out of
that august body are stimulated to re.
ncwed exposition of their respective theories.
Meanwhile the people are impatiently await.
ing the Adoption of n settled policy in regard
TO the national revenue, which shall enable
tham to regulate their own private business
affairs with some degree of certainty.
. The nation wants money-a great deal of
money-evcry year to meet its current OK
penses and to pay the interest on its debt
How shall this money be raised This is
question which takes precedence of all dis
cussions of the abstract right or wrong of
free trade and protection and until i is de
tcrmined, those discussions are simply out
OF place.
Previous to the war the national income was
derived almost exclusively from customs du-
ties. Ihe: present internal revenue system.
with its vast and complicated machinery, was
unknown. The burden of supporting the ma
tioual Government sat lightly upon the pco
pies shoulders and excited no discomfort or
dissatisfaction
At the breaking out of the war our uocl
Of money was suddenly increased while the
receipts from the custom houses. owing TO
the stoplage of trade, as suddenly djmin
ishod Direct taxation was the only resource
for the emergency, and was rcsorted TO nc
cord.ngly. In order to make it available
various devices were adopted with which
we are all familiar The people groGn un-
der the weight of the taxes imposed they
nre irrtated and outraged by the behavior of
the men employed to collect them; and they
hre clamoring for the adjustment of the
whole system.
There is no question that, as a matter Of
ro.cy and statesmanship, indirect taxation
through the Custom House is preferable to
direct taxation through the internal revenue
officer. If Congress is wise, therefore, it will
maintain the former, and simplify and reduce
the latter. Revenue must be had, and the
revenue from duties ON imported goods is the
easiest collected, the easiest borne, the most
chcerfully paid, and IS accompanied with the
least fraud, Great as are the losses TO the
Government by smuggling, they are as moth.
ing when compared with those to which the
internal revenue laws have given rise.
These simple facts turn the controversy
between the Irotectionst and frcc-trade
theorists practically out of court. We must
have great revenue, and it must be raised
chiefly by duties on imports. The compli-
Gated system Of internal revenue taxes should
be abolished; only the taxes on stamps, wills
key, and tobacco being retained; and the tariff
should be carefully adjusted so as TO furnish
the greatest practicable returns. That viii
lie protection enough for the protcct.onists
and free trade enough for the free traders
provided they are not crazy. OF course all
materials used by our manufacturers must
M far as possible, be exempt from duty but
with regard TO every other kind of commodi
ty the only question should be: What Will il
bear2 Articles Of universal consumption
must all pay their proper share TO the public
treasury. The sentimental idea of cxemptinp
commodities like tea and coffee, because they
ore SO generally used, Is contrary to the first
principles Of common sense. The very
universally Of their use renders their taxa
ton matter Of justice and sound policy
since thereby the tax is the most evenly dis
trihutod, and falls alike upon every citizen
sun more should Injuries like wines, liquors
and tobacco be taxed, and Ns heavily as pos
Hble, because the consumers Of them are abb
and willing to pay.
What Congress has 10 determine in rcpar
20 the tar Fl is not whether this point shall
lie conceded to the protcctionists and tina
TO the irectradcrs, but simply what adjust
mcnt Of the duties viii give us the mos
revenue, Whatever viii effect this ohjcc
will he acceptable to the people, and what
ever fails OF it will he condemned.