The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-27
IFor the Dspzicb.l
Some Thoughts on the Financial Poll
CIV of tho Country.

I. Raise no more revenue than necessary
for The support Of the Government.
.. Raise that amount solely by duties on
imports.
8. Abolish entirely the internal-revenue
tax.
4. Make no provision FOR The payment OF
The principal Of the national debt.
). so regulate and adjust the tariff as 10
raise sufficient revenue for the support OF
the Government.
Now, J think il will be conceded by all
That the most odious, offensive. and oppres-
eiys mode OF collecting revenue is that
which brings the tsx-collector in closest
contact with the taxpayer; and. oil the
other hand, the easiest. least hateful, and
least oppressive Is that which keeps the
collector ut the greatest distance from the
taxpayer The former Is mcddlesome, in
quisitorial, and annoying. Such is the in
fernal-rcvenue system. The latter is SO
gentle as scarcely TO he felt or even known,
and also gives the taxpayer the option OF
paving more or less tax as he may choose
50 indulge or not In dutiable articles. This
j. the tariff system whose operation Is so
gentle that IL NAV be safely said that 1t is
not felt at all.
As regards the payment Of the principal
sf the national debt, there seems 10 he
prevalent desire, without due considers
fion, az | think, to pay the debt a. soon as
possible; and certainlya very eager desire
among the politicians In power to make
capital out o! !: 10 keep Themselves in place.
Besides the wel-established principle i'll
po.itical economy that capital seeking in
yestmcnt in public securities prefers per-
msnenl, certain, and stable investment to
., temporary, uncertain, and fluctualing
one, the bare TACT that our creditors have
exchanged bonds bearing higher rate OF
interest for others beGringa lower rate
proves that they do not want 20 collect, ana
that so long as the interest Is paid regularly
and promptly they will be satisfied, know
ing that II cash Is needed they can sell in
thc markets at any time Mt on above pnr.
While would deprecate the creation OF a
national debt. except from necessity, yet ii
such debt exist am strongly inclined TO
look upOn il AZ a blessing. 1t is one OF the
greatest safeguards against waste and cor
ruption In the management OF tine pub
lie finances, at the same time thai
II is q guarantee TO a great degree
oi the life and stability OF the Government
by interesting the creditors in its existence
aud prosperity, particularly ii they are lis
own citizens. War Is q very expensive
business, and Government will he much
hess apt to engage in it inconsderstely Will
heavy load OF debt to carry than without
H. AZ IL would tie much more difficult &
borrow the necessary means for It's prose
cution.
That sufficient revenue for the support O
fhe Government may be raised from inpor
snties think can easily be shown. Th'
estimates show that slS5, 000, 600 ia sutfi
elent amount, OF which about $500, 000, 00(
W l. n s,I 70, nat .lat Ia.
uresent tariff, and S25 ,000,000 from miscel
Ianeous sources, leaving only $4,000, eco I,
bs provided for by a revision and readjust
ment OF the tariff. This can easily he e.
fectsd by taxing some articles now free, by
Increasing the rate upon some now taxed
and by reducing the rate upon some nov
prohibited by too high q tax.
so much for the financial part Of the sub
beet. In its political aspect it Is still more
important. by tho total abolition Of tn
internal-revenue tax we shall be rid OF
host OF Government officials, who are con
suming the substance Of the people b,
their salaries, and harassing and maltreai
ing citizens who are In many cases les
criminal than themselves, and inter
jerlng with and frequently controlln
elections. Government should interior
~ little - possible with the priyat
Affairs OF the people. Every ono shoul
be free 70 engage In whatever calling h
may elect without fear OF being arreste,
snd dragged before some Federal tribuna
Ia answer some perhaps frivolous or falls
charge, more for the benefit Of the officer
Of the law than to subserve the ends o
Justice. These hints are thrown more 10
the purpose OF eliciting the views Of other
thsn with the hope OF enlightening the pub
DE. A Tlx-PAYEP.
Caroline county, Va.