Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-11-30


Redwc, Tdfaiion
why should the people Of The Uni.
ed States be taxed 40 enormously Z
Why should they be called upou to
-aisc revenue Of four bundled and
.ixty millions yearg We say four
hundred and sixty millions, for that
Is according to the rate OF the Treas
nry income at present tho revenue
ior the last quarter, ending September
30, being over a hundred and fifteen
millions. Three hundred millions n
year should pay all the current ex
penditures Of the government, the IN
tercst 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 de-
partments-war, navy, civil service,
pensions and all-ought not TO exceed
hundred and fifty millions. We are
at peace both n. home and with all
the world, with the exception of some
Indian wars, which need not be costly.
Indian wars we 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 reconstructing the South, if, in
deed, it ever was, for that section of
our country is restored and acting in
peaceful harmony with the North. a
large standing army is therefore I'M
necessary.
Admitting that we should have
both a larger army and respectable
navy, in proportion to the increase OF
population and the growing impor-
lance of the republic among the ma
tions of the world, these branches oI
the public service ought not to cost
over sixty millions year. This
would leave ninety millions for the
civil service, including pensions, if We
reckon the total current expenditure
at hundred and fifty millions. Who
will not say this ought to be sufficient
Indeed, it is too much for an oconom
ical administration Of the govern
ment. 1t doubles the amount 'eXpen
dcd ten years ago, just before the
war. Add the interest on the debt
which is about one hundred anC
twenty. five millions, and the tota
revenue required to meet the demands
of the government is two hundred
and seventy-five millions. With al
income of three hundred millions tht
government would then have a sur
plus of twenty five millions year fol
the liquidation of the principal of th'
debt. That is all that should be asked
now of the people who have spilled
their blood for the Union, and who
have already paid so much of the cos
of the war. Is it not monstrous, then
TO tax us at the rate Of four hundred
and sixty millions a year?
The administration boasts ofhavinl
reduced the principal of the debt
What else could it do with such al
enormous income? But would it MOI
be better to boast of taking off the
burdensome taxes? Would it moi
make more political capital, if that b.
its obeiet, by relieving the people o
their burdens than by paying so mucl
Of the debt as /. is now paying? BE
sides, such a stupendous surplus reve
nue. leads to corruption, extravaganc,
and the employment Of an army o
office.holders. 1t tends TO sap th,
foundation of public virtue and TO de
moraliZe the community. 1t leads Il
extravaganza among the people an'
keeps up high prices. The mauuiac
turers may wish to pcrpetuatc thi
system of raising an enormous reve
nue., because it calls for high TART
and affords them protection; but th,
mass Of the peopie-thc farmers
planters and all the industrious class
es-are the sufferers. IL Congress
would reduce the taxes hundred ant
fifty, or even a hundred millions
year, which the government coulC
very well afford, the amount thu
saved to the people would go TO tn,
development Of the country aud Il
increase the national wealth. Tb,
next generation, or even the peopl
ten years hence, would be far bette
able to pay the principal of tho deb
! than we are Reduce the taxes. then
TO the lowest point that an cconomi
cal administration of the goycrnmcn
and sinking fund of twenty five o.
thirty millions year for liQuidatinl
the debt will admit A revenue 0
three hundred millions ought TO b,
amply sufficient Tor this. We advis,
General Grant, Secretary Boutwel
and Congress to establish a system o
6nancial policy in accordance will
these views.-N Y Herald.