Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-10-24
gos Am9eles Aerald.
Taxation Of Manufacturing Industries.

The universal taxation at present
existing in the United States, was in
augurated as a temporary system,
caused by circumstances of pressing
necessity, and for the sole object Of
raising revenue to meet great emer-
gency. While the war existed, no
complaint arose upon this core; and
the taxes upon individuals, Is we'll as
upon every article of luxury, conven-
fence or necessity, We're paid willing
ly. When the war ceased the nation
rejoiced, and hoped to feel modifica-
sion composed of ID. "A. Wells, of New
York, Stephen COlwell, of Pennsylva-
MIA, and Mr.. Hayes, of Illinois, was
appointed, and met in the city of New
York "to inquire and report on the
best and most efficient mode of rais-
ing revenue by taxation" and under
their report, Congress continued the
report which had arisen during hos
tilities, and which, with very slight
notifications in stamp duties and in
come tax, remains with us to-day.
1t is said that much of the enor-
nous revenue raised in this manner
goes to the horde of tax gatherers in
the way of salaries; indeed, some in
Sist that the whole tax collected is alb
sorbed by the expense of collecting it.
There is, probably, much truth in
these assertions; and now, as it is eight
years since the commission referred to
met to devise the best mode of raising
taxes, we suggest that the President ap-
point second commission to inquire
and report upon the best and most eff
cicnt mode of stopping taxation, and
that they report to the incoming Con-
gress at an early date. The commits
sion might also be taken into cOnsid-
Grafton undermining the possibilities
of paying the national debt by some
less burdensome method than the
present oppressive system, almost par
alyzing to many heretofore prosper
GUS industry.
In early times, our ancestors sought
to frame such a government as would
be almost exempt from taxation; and
now, with almost hundred years of
progress in improvement and develop
lnent, and with untold additions to the
wealth of the country, with many
millions of increase of population, we
find the pressure Of taxation much
worse than at the beginning.
1t is noticeable that the heavy taxa
ton which is in existence upon manu-
factured articles, in many instances
works serious harm to the manufac-
turing industries. At Los Angeles
the grape interest is a large one; thOus-
ands OF acres of vines make the val
leys green and purple with grape, fruit
and foliage; and yet in very many
vineyards the clustering fruit must
wlther and decay upon the vines,
owing to the enormous tax on distilla-
tiOns of grape brandy.
In view of the public financial crisis
in the Eastern States, and the stagna-
tion of various industries by heavy
government taxation, which when
added to municipal, county and State
taxes) makes the conduct of almost any
business Improbable, it might be we'll
for Congress to give the people rest
by suspending this taxation for five or
ten years, and turning the tax-gather-
ers over to the tender care of the
grangers of the country. A brief sus-
pension of this taxation would permit
the industries of the country to recOv-
er strength to stand the racket when
the screws are again put on; and as
pOsterity has large bill to foot, If they
pay the principal Of that which makes
US vince to pay the interest, they will
scarcely complain of this slight relax
alton by us, their hOnOred and glOri-
Gus fOrefathers. - Real Estate Circular.