The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-03-16

$50, 100000 to the reduction of tho public
debt, there Is still surplus Of $56,O00,
900. Should It DO to the extent Of oul
revenue reduction, the fear that the higt
duties would lessen our foreign commerce
Is met by its steady growth. Our ex.
ports In 1860 were $413,9G1, ,115
In 1870 they were $4O0,009 173
In 1871, $l6S,51s,G5l. The increase
Of internal commerce Is much greater
than the foreign, and Is now estimated al
four thousand million dollars. The falling
off in our merchant marine on the ocean
is caused by the substitution Of our wood.
en- vessels, and for internal commerce,
railroads are taking the place Of water
navigation. II foreign built vessels were
admitted 10 the American registy for inter.
nal and external commerce, at the accus.
toned rate OF duty, this would not only
encourage the building Of American ships,
but would secure u healthy competition
laws, If the wisdom oil our protective poll.
cy is to be tested by experience, I insist
absolutely prohibited by our navigation
in our internal and coasting trade, now
that 1t might be improved by tho actual
condition Of our country, which no doubt
would justify the changes demanded
by tho improving condition OF our finances,
II has been conceded that the Internal
taxes should be repealed. The most of
these taxes have been repealed, but there
still remain taxes which make it necessary
to keep revenue officers in every
county In the United States. These
special taxes arc on wholesale and retail
dealers IN spirits, tobacco and beer on
banks and bankers, &c. Many of the
stamp taxes arc imposed on the produc.
tion Of matches, medicines and like; 9th.
ers arc on the sale of property and com.
mercial paper, which will all involve the
employment of multitudes OF agents for
the sale Of stamps. live can dispense
with the stamp taxes, the whole system of
internal taxes will disappear, except OK.
cisc taxes on whisky, tobacco and
beer, which, by the common con,
sent Of producer and consumer,
are recognized as proper objects of taxa.
ton, the taxes on the circulation and
deposits OF National banks do not enter
into our internal revenue system are
rather regarded rs fund from which to
pay the expenses of printing the notes
and maintaining the system This tax is
collected directly by the Treasurer Of the
United States, and should be retained. If
1t is deemed best 10 retain this tax rs
against other banks and bankers, it may
be collected the same way, and, in aid Of
bank examiners, in advance OF definite
measure OF dealing with the internal rev.
enue, ! am prepared to say, without
committing any one else, that we can
and ought now to repeal all internal
taxes except on whisky, tobacco and
beer, and consolidate and simplify them
the income tax, with the expenses
and collection. of the taxes of 1871.
He then called for the ayes and nays on
his amendment TO place teas and CotEees
on the free list.
Mr.. FERRY, OF Mich, by unanimous
consent, called up House bill extending
the time for the completion Of the Port.
age and Lake Superior Canal, which was
passed. -
Mr.. LOGAN called up the bill to enable
honorably discharged soldiers and sailors
and their widows to acquire homesteads
on the public lands Of the United States,
when the Senate adjourned until Monday.