The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-03
Internal Revenue.


To the Editor Of The BDening Telegraph;-
The Committee on Ways and Means has
| taken up tho Internal Revenue bill reported
Ito the House March 8, 1869. 1t has been
rumored that reduction of internal taxation
70 the extent of thirty million dollars will be
made That there should be a diminution of
the number of objects of Internal Revenue
taxation there can be no question. The
Rpeople, at every stage of the war for the
a maintenance of the integrity of the Federal
4 Government, gave the most unmistakable
evidence of their determination to pay
all the moneys assessed upon them,
and of their love for the old flag
by voluntary contributions in aid of every
\ enterprise looking to the sustenance and
! comfort of the brave boys who faced danger
and death that the Union should survive.
4 And when hostile armies had been disbanded,
the credit of the United States had so large a
4 claim upon the honest sentiment of the
y masses, that burdens have been cheerfully
J borne that no distrust might arise against the
nations Indebtedness. But there is no longer
any necessity for the imposition of ''heavy
burdens;" and the policy of the Government
! must now be shaped in raising revenues to
I avoid pinching the industry Of the
4 country. Taxes levied upon distilled spirits,
fermented liquors, tobacco and cigars,
bank and railroad dividends, legacies and
SUGGESTIONS, by the use of stamps, and special
taxes or licenses on q very few interests,
4 should be the extent of Internal Revenue
taxation. From these sources or objects a
sufficient sum can be raised, which, together
with customs duties, will meet every obliga-
ton of the Government in the way of interest
on loans and the ordinary and economical
\ expenses of administration, while securing
surplus enough to pay portion of the prin-
cipal of the debt every year.
! Some of our over-eareful and very prudent
members of the Senate and House will
scarcely adopt this view. They are not un-
wise in their prudence, and not to be blamed
\ for thinking it pre-eminently necessary to
raise enough revenue. They are, however,
\ asked to consider the business interests of
: the country; and to pay due regard to the
question whether scheme of internal taxa
ton cannot be perfected which will, while
securing ample revenue, be less exacting upon
humble trades and professions, and further
removed from everyday personal demands
sent law. Every member of both
houses should regard it as imperative upon
\ him to give an earnest attention, at the
earliest possible moment, to the question
how best to devise internal taxes with least
friction upon industrial pursuits. The people
will remember those who so act with their
favor. There is as much patriotism in mea-
sures which tend to ease the general burdens
of taxation, as there is in devising the ways
and means which support the administration
of public affairs. Let those national legis-
lators who desire to be informed consult
the last official report of the Commissioner
of Internal Revenue, and they will very easily
discern the objects of taxation which may be
dispensed with to the advantage of their con
stituency, and without embarrassment to the
Treasury. Let us have such legislation as
will put us alongside of the well-informet
nations of the Old World in the framing o
excise laws, drawing from luxury the bulk o
the revenue. England and France do no
CLEAN from their labor to supply their ex
cheguers, but drive straight at the luxuries o
life for their largest demands. Income tax
it is true. is retained under the excise system
of Great Britain-it has lords an,
princes to maintain-and it is only
mild form of tithes to aid in keep
ing up the ''livings" of hereditary caste
The United States of America has it
E'livings," but they do not require the pabu
lum of income tax, nor do they need that al
= inquisition should be made into the privat
affairs of every successful or unsuccessful
merchant mechanic, or laboring man, with
purpose to obtain the wherewithal to supper
official station. AS a people we can muc
better afford to lessen the number of Govern
ment officials rather than not do away with th
income tax. This Congress will make goo
record when it does away with the incom
and other small internal revenue taxes. If
does not believe it, try it.
PHILADELPHIA, March 2, 1870.