New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-14
DIR NEW TAXES AND TARIFT.

OUR NEW TAXES AND TARIFF
Congress Yesterday finally passed the Tax
and Tariff bill. We present on the third page
an accurate alphabetical statement of the rates
of Internal taxes as fixed by the new law;
and on the eighth page a similar statement in
alphabetical order of the new duties on i'm
ports. Both include the latest changes made
yesterday by the Conference Committee. Taken
together they present complete view of the
Taxes and the Tariff as now fixed beyond the
possibility of change for another year.
That we attach less Importance to them than
does Congress is already sufficiently known =
that we disapprove of many of them entirely,
regard others as unnecessary, and, with the
exception of the Income Tax which we con-
slider in every way indefensible, would have
preferred on the whole to leave internal taxes
and duties on imports as they were until
the next session But Congress has seen fit to
pursue different course. 1t has listened to
the demand heard in many parts of the country
for reduction of taxation, and has at last,
though not, we think, in all respects III the
most judiciOus way, complied With 1t by an
act which at once sweeps off taxes and duties
amounting to seventy-six or seventy-seven
million dollars. The first Internal Rev
enue law taxed nearly every article and
almost every occupations but gradually
these taxes have been changed and re-
pealed, and the regulations regarding the
enforcement of the law and the collections
have been perfected, until now only
few classes of taxes are imposed, each class
| yielding a large sum. This system is lar
preferable to that of levying innumerable i'm
posts each yielding but small amount, as the
taxes are more easily and economically col
! lected. The Income Tax, which amounted to
more than S38,000000, has been reenacted IN
! modified form, so as to yield about S14,OOOOOO,
and the tax on gross receipts has been abo-
| shed.
| In reporting the bill, yesterday, Mr.. Schenck,
not a little provoked at the sacrifice of 70
pages of his pet measure by the Senate, re-
vealed the influences which have really shaped
this special piece of legislation. Here, for ex-
ample, is list of some important interests on
which Congress has abolished the tax: The
gross receipts for passenger traffic of Railroad
! Companies, Steamships Canal Companies,
Stage Companies, and Ferry Companies, Lot
teries, Express Companies, Telegraph COmpa
MES, Theaters, Circuses, Operas, Museums, and
other shows; premiums by Fire, Marine, and Life
Insurance Companies; also, bankers capital
and brokers' sales. The revelation of the
power of the lobby contained in Mr.. Schenck's
brief speech will astonish those who thought
themselves familiar with Congressional cor
ruption Wall-st. bankers and brokers, lottery
dealers, and theater men have been
the agents who Influenced the votes
of House and Senate. The bankers and
brokers made war against the taxes
on their sales, and were successful with the
Senate in having them thrown out Here
after" as Mr.. Schenck explained, "all Wall
" st. operations will be free from any burden
whatever, and a source of revenue from
(Which millions have been and might be OBJ
"tained, without interfering with any of the
Z" fair, legitimate industry of the country, has
"been swept away" The lottery agents and
! theater men Joined forces with the brokers,
| and with them succeeded in having the taxes
on their gross receipts and special licenses
abolished. Mr.. Schenck did not, however, eX-
plain the influence which continued the OPP
pressive Income Tax upon the industrious
working classes, while these others upon
wealthy and doubtful interests were relieved.
But it is not mystery. The interests of
taxpayers were sacrificed to those of tax
gatherers. Congressman who voted to reGnact
the Income Tax were under the urgent solicit
tatiOn of the office-hOlders who collect it, and
wish to remain in Office. TO maintain
these Oflice-hOlders the people must not only
submit to the annOyances and oppression of
the Income Tax, but the great expense of its
collection. Congress, we doubt not, would have
reduced the percentage to one cent rather
than do away altogether with the tax whose
collection gives place for their constituents
who manage the primaries and run the ma
chinery of politics.
The principal articles taxed by the law as it
now stands are expected to yield the follow
ing sums, viz:
Income. .S14 100000 Beer 100000
Spirits....... 5200O,OCO Stamps 15,OO0,0O0
Tobacco. 3OOOOOOO Gas ........... 100000
The new law in respect to the duties on i'm
ports is to take effect Jan. 1, 1871; in respect
to most internal taxes, ON October 1, 1870;
while the taxes on income and dividends are
retained through 1870 and 1871.
The record is not a bad one on which to
go before the Country. The work might have
been better done; but that it can be done at
all is a high tribute to the Administration
which meets all the obligations of the Govern
ment, pays off the debt at the rate of eighty
eight millions per year, and is yet able to
lift, at a single session, seventy-six millions
from the burdens of the people.