The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-11-30
Reducing Taxes.

revenue laws anu ABOLISH the tax derived
from this source, will findsupport from few
il any practical statesmen. 1t comes from
Hon. w. d. Kelly An extreme protection
list, and is iavored'by the Democrats, whose
whole object is a camor for what they
claim to be reduced taxation, regardless OF
the necessary demands of the government
and the integrity OF the nation. The pol
icy OF repeal necessarily involves exclusive
dependence on the duties on imports to
meet the obligations Of government. The
revenue derived from this source is now
about .s200, 900, 600. Were the proposition of
MIR. Kelly TO be favorably considered, we
have this amount to meet the obligations of
government. The estimated requirement for
pensions, as recently determined by the
Commissioner Of Pensions, will be $780,
100000. The interest on the public debt is
somewhere about $40, 100000. The ordi-
nary expenses of government are not less
than 500, 900, 900, leaving deficiency OF
$40, 000, 900, to commence with. The reve-
nues from tariff duties, however, cannot
be depended on to average the receipts of
the past fiscal year. We are enjoying
remarkable prosperity, which is always fol-
lowed by corresponding importations. With
a season Of bad crops, or revulsion in the
business interests Of the country, to which
we are periodically subjected, we would
| find that the revenues from import duties
would greatly decrease, thus leaving the
treasury practically bankrupt, or forcing
the necessity of direct taxation to supply
its demands.
The revenue derived from internal sources
reaches to about $3.50 200, 900 annually
This is about the surplus which was gar
nered into the treasury the last fiscal year.
To cut off this source of supply entirely
and depend upon the fuctuating system OF
import duties would expose the country to
serious embarrassments and interfere with
the successful operation of government in
all OF its departments What should be
done, is to carry out the intention and pur-
pose of the Tariff Commission as to import
duties, SO as to establish some uniformity
|
this source, and so modifying the internal
revenue tax as to relieve the people Of GER
tain unjust impositions, yet at the same
time producing revenue sufficient to place
the treasury beyond the contingency Of a
deficit. The tax on tobacco and whiskey
should be retained, with such notifications
as the demands of government would Jus.
tify. 1t is tax that is collected at less
cost and less loss than any other, and is a
source of revenue that is availed of by
every civilized government on the globe
Both articles are used. principally as luxu.
ries, and the tax voluntarily paid, for those
who do not use them pay none of the tax
imposed on them.
Mr.. Keily's proposition to repeal the en-
tire internal tax is consistent With his the
ory of high protective tariff, for it would
leave the duties on imports the only source
to supply the national treasury-meet the
ordinary expenses of government. pay the
interest on the public debt and comply
with the pension law. This would neces.
state even higher tariff duties than are
now imposed, and operate almost to pro-
hibtory exaction against all foreign i'm
ports.
But similar proposition coming from
Democratic free-traders, such as Tucker,
Carlisle, and those whose thinking they do
is inexplicable to us, except upon the sup
position that it is to delude and dece i've
the people about low taxes, such as would
not be consistent with the public faith. To
take from the treasury the supply OF $3.50,
900 900 of internal revenue taEes, would
leave not over 1920, 00O, 900, to be collected
sources, to meet the interest on the public
debt, pay the other ordinary expenses O.
government and to comply with the pension
legislation. To reduce the tariff charges
in addition to the abolition of the interna
revenue tax. would indeed leave the gov
eminent in pitiable plight, paralyze oul
; industries, and plunge the country into ir
retrievable ruin.
The American people have very little use
for extremists like either Mr.. Kelly OF
may serve TO expose the excuses of Especial
lists in law-making and fanatics in govern.
ment theories.
We have faith in the real craftsmanship
of the country, and confidently expect
, such an adjustment of the tariff and reve'
nue. laws as will preserve national credit
and administer to the prosperity of our in.
dustrial pursuits.