New-York tribune., 1873-12-16

SECRETARY RICuARpsoN's LETTER TO Mr. DAWES
WHY BE SELECTED TIE ARTICLES NAMED FOR
TAXAuoS-PROMPT ACTION URGED-THE PUBLIC
DEBT INCREASED SINCE DEC. l, S. 100000.
[GEsRRAL rREssiDIsPATCHl
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1j.-The following Is
Secretary Richardson's letter to Mr.. Dawes, Chairman
of the Committee of Ways and Means:
TREASURY DEPARTnENI, Dee. IL. 1873.
DEAR SIR: have the honor to aeknowledge tne re-
ton Of the Committee OF Ways aud Means OF the House
OF Representatives asking the Secretary OF the Treasury
TO give his In writing for increase In TAXA
ton and why he has selected the articles named In ms
communication the proper objects for increased Taxa
ton and that he inform the Committee specifically as
tho expenditures and condition OF the revenue when
renders tne proposed increase necessary" " ,,.s
In the report which, in accordance with law, nsn
the honor recently 10 submit 10 Congress used the io
lowing language:
the eeeipts those Of the past Two and nail months n
case recommend judeiouy laid to bs The
least the people and 6un. Of the eoaStt rather Ah
II the grounds here generally stated that sng
gested increased taxation The receipts from nS
apparent that considerable augmentation OF tuose
sseps Ss The PaSS Debt by de
mands which could not be avoided Outing
over ssoooooc and it is appafent that it will be still
further increased during the current month ny many
millions while the sSn receipts are Ss nhn U1, te dse anS
other expenditures, 1t will not Inc prudent 10 sell
gold TO iocTease the supply OF currency Inc cuiront
expenses of the Goyernment have already consumed
about $4,000 of what has been called the Reserve
and there remains only about s2600VOO which car be
used before the extreme limit of the issue OF United
states notes authorized by law, viii be reached
The public credit only he maintained
by keeping the receipts OF the Treasury fully up 10 the
expenditures fnr ordinary for interest on tne
PuDe Debt and for the purchase OF bonds Tor the Sk
ing Fund TO the extent provided by law
1t is manifestly the true policy, IN view
of maintaining that credit, TO levy
taxes as TO make 1t certain that the required amount
will raised with the probability 0f some surplus reVe
Due rather than incur any risk OF dencency which
would make it necessary 10 borrow money and thereby
increase the deot
In selecting tea and coffee for taxation. am infu-
enced by the consideration bat taxes oD those articles
In selecting spirits. tobacco. gas Railway aud
steamboat receipts, express, insurance ana feRraph
companies subjects taxation, am governed pfin
cipally by the expressed by the commissioner
OF Revenue In ms letter already forwarded 10
the Committee, in ths following words:
for possible taibon, have tafea those that
probably needed without material increase
force Amendment 10 toe present system oonoe
public with little Inieeente
ob with the general business Of the country and 1st he M gam
snond gree; the pnbhc as rarely AZ practicable
have presented the bills for increased taxation 10 the
Committee tbus early that the subject may At once he
called the attention OF Congress for such action at an
early day may be deemed eXpedient. 1t should be
taken into account that the effect Of any law which
appear for months after its PASSAGE and that
in the apparent disposition among the people 10 reduce
expenditures, the rates which may DC pAed VIII not
produce the amount OF revenue as would accrue
under different circumstances have the honor 10 be,
very respectfully, Nm a. RICHARDSON, secretary
10 he Hon. II. l.. DAWES, ChdEB,d. OF H@ Committee V
Ways and Means Of nc House Of Represe,stafires.
Tie Secretary To-Day, after the necessary examination
asceraned the pubic debt has increased since Dec
l So O00,U0 4,