The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-30

| Tse Question Of Tnxntios in Conxress-
Good observation-disclosures Reform
| Needed.
We began to despair of ything being done
in Congress to relieve the country Of burden
some taxation, but the proceedings in the
Senate on Thursday with regard to the tariff
and internal taxation have inspired some
hope. There was an earnest discussion o,
this subject, and the Senate was 80 absorbed
with the consideration of 1t that the session
continued till ten o'clock that night. The de-
bate commenced on the question 10 remove
the duty from tea and coffee. The motion was
carried, and then other articles were added to
the free list. A clause to reduce the duty ten
per cent ON large class of articles was also
passed. Silk, however, was exempted from
this reduction, The most sweeping amend
ment was proposed by Mr.. Scott, of Pennsyl-
vania, and 1t was carried by vote Of %
yeas to II nays. This amendment aholishes
the income tax, taxes on Illuminating gas, all
internal taxes imposed by section 10 Of tie
Internal Revenue act OF June 80, 1864, and all
| taxes by stamps, except the tax on banks
and bankers, distilled spirits, fermented
liquors, snuff, tobacco aud cigars. The repeal
| ia to take effect the first of next July. 1t is
roughly estimated that this measure reduces
taxation 6fty-fve million dollars.
| Will the House of Representatives concur
(! IN the action of the Senate? That remains to
be seen. The Senate majority on the motion
was very large, and this should have weight
with the House. Mr.. SCOTS object, no doubt,
was to reduce the revenue 80 much by abolish
Ing internal taxation as to make 1t necessary
for revenue to maintain high duties on iron
and other things which protect the manufac-
turers of Pennsylvania and other States.
Still, the reduction Of taxes to the amount pro-
posed will be boon to the country. The
Senate has made good beginning. It is fol-
lowing the views to certain extent which the
HERALD has been urging. But 1t has not gone
far enough. Duties on articles which enter
largely into the Industry of the country and
affect its progress should be reduced as well
| as internal taxes be abolished. Instead Of
reduction in the revenue of ffty-Ave millions
| 1t ought to be reduced hundred millions
We hope the House Of Representatives, there
fore, will not only concur in the measure just
passed by the Senate, but will improve upon
it by more extended reform. We have no
doubt the President would gladly endorse the
| action of Congress, though he may be pre-
vented from taking the initiative In revenue
reform by political considerations just at this
time His hands are tied by the Presi-
Dental campaign now commencing. But
after his re-eleotion-ot which there appears
to be little doubt-he will be free to ignore, if
necessary, party and sectional considerations,
aud to use his power for the welfare Of the
whole country. Being installed in Office for
second term his ambition will be satisfied,
and he will want no more favors from
politicians Or political parties. Much, there
fore, may be expected from his patriotism and
the knowledge he has acquired while in the
executive chair. The reelection of General
Grant, consequently, will have both con-
servative effect and give reasons for hope that
after mex November we may obtain important
measures to give new life to the industry and
progress Of the republic.
The great difficulty in the way of re-
lieving the country Of burdensome taxation
has been in the persistent determination of the
administration and Its party to raise large
revenue, with the view, principally, of dis
charging considerable amount of the public
debt, and thus to acquire popularity with the
people. Nor can it be denied that the lauda-
ton of nearly three hundred millions of the debt
in throa If uk,o al
ton is great fact. Heavy as the burden of
taxation to raise such vast surplus revenue
has been and much as it has retarded the
development Of the country, the people will
look with qualification at the result 10 paying
off so much of the debt and In reducing the
annual interest eighteen millions. 1t is but
fair to say, too, that such an exhibition of the
resources Of tie country and payment of such
large portion of the debt in 80 short
time have siren sthened greatly the national
credit. That is, all the world has become
convinced of the ability Of the United States
to liquidate the debt within comparatively
short time and Of the determination to pay to
the last dollar. This much good has been
accomplished, and the people will give the
credit to the administration of General Grant.
We have thought that 1t would have been
wiser policy, as far as the interests and pro-
gress of the country are concerned, to have
raised smaller revenue and to have left
more Of the debt to be paid in the future, when
the wealth, population and resources of the
nation will be greater and the burden less
felt. and, we have no doubt, the credit of the
government would have been as well estab.
ished