The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-10-08
WOLF I'M sHEEP,s CLOTHING.

There is a project now on foot and it is
assuming large and important proportions
from day to day, especially in Pennsylvania,
Massachusetts,, Ohio and the other heavy
manufacturing states. We refer to that
looking to the abolition of all the national
internal taxes The proposition on the part
of its adherents is that the government is
now collecting more revenue than 1t re-
ouires and hence it can very safely and ought
70 reduce taxation. Very cheerfully con-
ceding the correctness of the proposition, the
ouestion arises how best shall this reduction
be effected. We quickly perceive why the
manufacturing states prefer and urge the
abolition of the internal revenue, viz: be-
cause they would quite naturally object to
see the duties on foreign articles struck OH
or lowered. as this would interfere with
tbeir own business. We are willing to ad-
NIT that these internal revenue taxes are OF
a harsh and inquistorial nature, and OF the
nature of a spoliation system not at all in
accord with the genius of true republican
government. But when we consider that
the existing foreign tariff imposes tax on
the leading articles of life, ranging from 80 10
100 per cent, such as on cotton ana WOODEN
goods. farming implements and machinery,
CUTLERY, ETC., ETC., the cat in the protection-
lists meal bag begins to show up. In the
agricultural pursuits, and in those of profess
sional and personal service, we have IN this
country nearly 70 per cent. OF our people
engaged. All of these have to pay that enor-
nous tribute to northern and western man
ufacturers. On woolen goods the advalorem
impost ranges from 50 to 70 per cent; on
cotton from 30 to 63 per cent; on iron and
steel from 80 to 80 per cent. What these
figures mean the farmers and per-
sonal service people of these states,
especially in the south, may
readily understand by ga little
reflection. Let us see; A par
of first-class foreign-made blankets
can } be- o landed + from Europe
into New York for $500 The import duty
is $500. Therefore the consumer must pay
$500 for them under the present tariff.
Now let us note as to some of the taxes on
other necessaries of life. On rico the adj
valorem duty is So per cent; ON callcoes
from IS to 81; on iron from 81 to so; on
molasses and sugar from 50 to 70; on liam
nels from 65 to 95; on salt IS; on oils from
20 to 3o5; on spool thread 70 per cent; and
so on through the list. Again, when we
further consider that the amount invested
in agricultural pursuits alone exceeds the
manufacturing as to /, and
that the unprotected industries
are. as 75s to %, we comprehend
at once the injustice of the system. Add
to this the other glaring fact that ~ per
cent. ofthe entire internal revenue tax is
levied upon articles of luxury, only 10 per
cent. being derived from the commercial
transactions of the people, and we COM
mence to appreciate the brazen efirontery
Of the proposition to reduce taxation by
wiping out these internal revenue duties,
and allowing the foreign importation tax to
stand. But these protectionists tell us that
the annual cost of collecting Tho internal
revenue, is some 100000 Granted.
But then the cost of the duty on pig iron
alone is some $50, 900, 900 just six times the
amount of the little 100000 saving pro-
posed by them, and Of that s2e,oOo,0oo
annually go into their pockets. Now,
when we further recollect that by due re-
duction of this same foreign duty iniquity,
some 800, Oo0, 900 to s25o,OOO,OoO would be
saved to the entire people of the country, the
shameless game of those people, with their
pet project, can be seen with the green
spectacles off. Do they think that the
masses can be thus hoodwinked, that the
people of the south are stone blind, and that
the farmers are fools2 And yet they are
wonderfully rich in poclet, as well as fer
tile of device and bold of proposition, and
there is no telling but what they may sue
cessfully play their hand, and the wishes of
the majority be thwarted thereby, Just as
is now the case, when the majority ofthe
people select one man for their president,
and yet another by the electoral college
machinery, is indicted into Office in his
stead. At any rate, let us watch with open
eyes and work with persistent Intelligence
N thuart n wrong