Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-28
Tmn Imnortant Snbiects.

In the tariff convention which meets
in New York to morrow the reduction
of the internal revenue will be one of the
principal subjects for discussion, and we
see it stated that no less a person than
Hon. Samuel J. Randall proposes to en-
ter the lists against the excise system.
He claims that only 1925, 900, 900 is
needed to meet the legitimate expenses
of the government, and there is no need
of collecting $3.50, 900, 600, and he there
fore is in favor of the entire abolition, or
at least material reduction. of internal
revenue taxation, a suspension of the
payment of the national debt and the es-
Enlistment of that debt as a permanent
institution.
Thus will really begin the discussion
of the question which will. to great
extent, occupy the attention of Congress,
which assemblies on Monday next, viz:
whether we shall have the abolition of
internal revenue taxation and the cessa-
ton of payments on the national debt,
or the reduction or abolition of customs
duties, and several of our contemporaries
believe that the result of this discussion
will be a material reformation of parties.
In other words, the opinion is rapidly
gaining ground that before Congress
adjourns the two national parties will set
aside the old issues which have so long
divided them, and adopt as their respec-
tive basis principles, free trade and pro
lection.
When these subjects come up for dis
cussion the prOtectionists and national
banks viii, without. doubt, be found on
one side favoring high custom duties, the
diminution of internal revenue taxation,
and a suspension of the payments on the
national debt, so as TO prevent the ex-
tinctioh of that debt-and by this means
prolcng the existence of the national
banks-and on the other side will be
found the free traders, favoring raising
revenue by internal taxation and reduc-
ton in the tariff
As the St. Louis Republican well says
on this subject, the protectiOnists clearly
tOresee that either the high import du-
ties on foreign goods must be reduced,
or the taxes on spirits, beer, tobacco, ETC.,
must be diminished, and this is why they
have shown such sudden opposition to
excise taxes. They believe, as that paper
says, that the American people ought to
be permitted TO have everything cheap
except the fabrics which they, the pro
tected manufacturers, make and sell.
The taxes on spirits, beer, tobacco, bank
checks and friction matches are op-
pressive and ought to be removed, but
the taxes on clothing, blankets, carpets,
lumber, copper, iron and salt must be re-
tained for the benefit of the home manu-
facturers of these articles. On the other
hand, the opponents of tue protective
system will probably insist that the re-
duction Of taxation should take place in
The customs department and not in the
excise; that neither the distillers,
brewers and tobacco manufacturers, nor
the consumers of spirits, beer and tobac-
co complain Of the taxes on these arti-
cles, and that it is better therefore to
leave them as they are, and make the re-
duction in these tariff duties which press
80 heavily upon industries and con
sumers."
As to the scheme for ceasing to reduce
the national debt and establishing it as a
permanent institution for the accommo-
datiOn of the national banks, we agree
fully with our contemporary that it is
not probable that it will meet with any
degree Of public favor. The people are
satisfied to see the debt gradually melt
ing away, and have learned to look for
ward to the day, now not very far DIS
tant, when it will be extinguished. They
want to get rid of it. and they will not
consent to perpetuate it for the accom-
mediation of the banks.