The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-30
Internal Revenue Receipts.

Internal Revenue Receipts.
We learn that the receipts from internal
revenue for the fiscal year ending June 80 will
amount to one hundred and thirty-one million
dollars and that this exceeds the estimates of
the Secretary of the Treasury six million dol
lars. This estimating below the receipts is an
old trick Of Mr.. Boutwell,, who is intent on
having plethoric Treasury, and who makes
these estimates for the purpose Of deceiving
the public and Of keeping up burdensome tax
alton, in order to protect the New England
manufacturers. Since Mr.. Boutwell, has been
Secretary his estimates have always been far
below the receipts of the government, and had
it not been for the good sense of Congress we
should still have had war revenue Of four
hundred million dollars or more. Mr.. Bout
well has, by his Misrepresentation, induced
Congress to still keep up burdensome and un-
necessary taxation, though that body has SO far
disregarded his recommendations as to modify
to some extent both the internal taxes and
customs duties With all that has been done in
abolishing vexatious internal taxes, and in re-
ducing the duties on imports ten per cent,
we have no doubt the revenue for the next
fiscal year will reach considerably over three
hundred millions 1t will be, probably, nearer
three hundred and fifty millions. The
enormous importations and vastly increasing
wealth, population and business of the country
will go far to make up the amount cut off by
the modification Of the tariff and internal tax
alton. Three hundred and fifty millions Of
revenue, or even three hundred Millions
is quite unnecessary, and is, in reality, sur
plus corruption fund for the manipulation OF
Congress and the administration. The
interest on the debt is about a hundred
and four millions; pensions amount to
some thirty millions; and the current
expenditure Of the government, independent Of
these charges upon it, ought not to exceed
eighty or ninety millions It might by proper
economy be brought down to seventy millions.
Allowing the highest amount, the entire expen-
diture for interest on the debt, pensions and
the maintenance Of the several departments
should not exceed two hundred and twenty
millions. We have no doubt the revenue for
the next fiscal year will be hundred millions
over the necessary requirements, even upon a
liberal allowance, of the government Why
should this extravagant system be continued?
Why should the people be taxed thus to suit
the notions Of an incompetent Secretary Of the
Treasury, to keep his Golfers filled with un-
profitable capital and to subserve the interests
of his constituents the New England protec-
tionists? considerable reduction both on
import duties and internal taxation, is still
imperatively demanded, and we hope this will
be one of the first measures of Congress when
it reassembles next December.
The Question OF Lighting the Central
Park at Night.
Shall the Central Park be lighted by gas at
night? This is a question that begins to
occupy the public mind Of this city. There
are, of course, some for lighting the Park and
some against. Many are opposed to it be-
cause it would be a change-an innovation
upon the present rule. This class of people
are so excessively conservative that they never
want change. Then, the Park police and
authorities might not approve of it because
they might have little more trouble. Again,
some of the loafers who find secure night re-
treat in the Park under the shelter of darkness
and the bushes in spite of the rule that it shall
be cleared after certain hour, might object.
But we think the mass of the people would
prefer to have the Park lighted by gas at
night This delightful retreat is the property
Of all our citizens and not merely Of those
who can afford to ride in their carriages or
otherwise spend their time there in the day.
The convenience, pleasure and health of the
mass of the community should be studied in
this matter and not the convenience of the
police or the Park authorities The greater
part of our citizens cannot enjoy the Park in
the daytime, for they are occupied The very
time, and almost the only time, when they
could have that privilege is at nights in the
cool evening Of our hot summer days. Let
them, then prolong their stay till late hour
if they choose. And how gay and beautiful
would the Park be if lighted up by gas The
lights blending with the dark foliage and
charming greensward and reflected in
the lakes would be delightful
scene to tempt all classes into
the Park at night. Many would drive there in
the cool Of evening in preference 10 DAYTIME.