Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-15

lO2.644.746. 9S

Adhesive stamps include those on
bank checks, perfumery, cosmetics, pa
tent medicines, and matches. The bal
ances' are from articles and occupations
formerly taxed, but now exempt. The
other portion of the enumeration is easily
understood. Only the articles above in
dictated are now taxed Out of the entire
revenue for the year, spirits, tobacco, and
fermented liquors paid SOL ,991, 6i5.19.
Neither of these articles come within the
list of necessary articles in the family
economy. Outside of these, the entire
taxe amounted to only $10,653, 1919.
From this deduct the balances collected
from the dues of previous years, amount
ing. as above, to $761 ,8G0.14, and there
remains $9,S91 ,221.65 as the net amount
levied ON necessary articles for use or
consumption in a family, including cos
metics and perfumery, articles not neccs
sarily Indispensable. This gives an aver
age tax of about 1925 per annum to each
family. or % cents to each individual.
The internal revenue tax cannot, there
fore, be considered as a 'burthen,' and
the democratic howl can only be viewed
in the light of an attempt to deceive and
prejudice the public mind against the Ad-
ministration and the party in power.
In this connection it is gratifying to
note the great reduction that has been
made. within few years, in the amount
of internal revenue taxes yearly collected
The personal or direct income tax, created
in 1862. and running up to $4,000, 232 20
in 1867, ceased in 1871, by act of Con-
gress. The internal revenue tax was
commenced in 1868, in which year it pro-
duced revenue of $37 GAO, 1877 90. 1t
continued to increase each year in amount
until in 1866 it reached the enormous sum
of 5000, 226 ,S13.42, exclusive of the in
come tax. Under successive enactmcnts
Of Congress this tax has been gradually
million dollars per annum, or to only one
third of the maximum of 1866.
This, certainly, is a gratifying record to
lay before the people. 1t is part of the
policy of the republican party, and will
be continued until the internal revenue
tax is ultimately abolished and the bureau
closed, after which the entire revenues of
the Government will be derived from the
customs, and will come mainly from the
pockets of foreign manufacturers and pro-
ducers who seek the advantage of our
markets, and are willing to pay for the
privilege.
At the same time this enormous reduc-
tion of the taxes has been going on, the
public debt of the Government, created by
the democratic rebellion, was reduced to
the extent of more than five hundred
million dollars.
In illustration of the difference between
republican and democratic management
and economy in public affairs, reference
may be made to the city of New York, the
aggregate debt of which, on the first of
January last, was, according to the off
cial returns, Sl42, 900, 900. SAYS the New
York Herald, July 6:
III we add to this the floating debt, I'M
paid judgments and claims in suit, it will
reach Sl64, 200. 900. Then a deficiency
exists in the treasury, owing to uncollec-
ted taxes and assessments of about SIP
100000. making our real public indebted
ness about $l76, 0OO,0 900. This on the ba-
sis OF a million population is per capita
of one hundred and seyenty-six dollars
The years appropriations for the ex.
psnses of the government amount to near
ly s3S, 900, 900. This is a per captta of