National Republican., 1882-12-05

teuton OF Congress nt It's last session The import
auue ul relieving he industry nnd enterprise uC
the country from the pressure OF unnecessary lax
anon IL Is one OF the ritast maNiIns oi political
wisely hnd prudently imposed. And though there
nave always been among our people wide differ
chces ui sentiment as to the best methods Of r0is
ing the national revenue, aud, indeed, ms to the
principles upon whicn taxation should be based,
lhefe has been substantial accord in the doctrine
tnat ohiy such taxes ought TO he levied as as are
necessary lor wise and economical adminlstra-
ton Of the government. or late tho public rev.
enuCs have far exceeded that limit, and unless
checked by appropriate legislation such excess
the fiscal year ended June 30 1881, the surplus rev.
ehuS amounted TO one hundred millions OF dollars;
five Millions
The report of the Secretary shows what dispos.
uon nus been mnde Of these moneys, They have
not only answered the requirements Of the sink
ing iund, but have afforded large balance appli-
coDle 10 utncr reductions of the publicd debt.
DANGERS OF 4 sUnrLus.r
But renew the expression Of my conviction
that such rapid oxtluguishment OF the national
Indebtedness as is now taking place isby no means
cause for oongrutuation; 1t Is cause rather
for serious apprehension,
iii continues It must speedily be followed by
one Of the evil results 50 clearly set fbrh in the
report OF the Secretary.
Either the surplus must lie idle in the Treasury,
or the government will be forced-to buy,at mar.
Ret rates, It's bonds not then redeemabe, and
which, under such circumstances, cannot fail to
command All enormous premium, or the swollen
revenues will be devoted to extruvagHnt expendi-
ture, which, as oxpereuCe has taught, is ever the
bnne OF an oyernOwing treasury
1t was made apparent in the courseof the ami:
mated discussions which this question aroused
At the last session of Congress That the policy of
diminishing the revenue by reducing taxation
commanded the general approval of tire members
l regret that because OF conflicting views as to
the best methods by which tnut policy should be
made operative, none Of its benefits have as yet
been reaped. Eis.
SUGGESTIONS AS TO NATURE OF REDUCTIONS.
In fulhllment of what l deem my constitu-
tional duty, but with Little hope that can make
valuable contribution 70 TINS Te&ed question,
shall proceed to intimate briefly my own views
in relation 10 IL.
Upon the showing of our financial condition at
the close of the last fiscal year. felt justified in
recommending TO Congress the abolition of all in-
ternal- revenue taxes except those upon tobacco
in its various forms and upon distilled spirits and
ieTmcnted liquors, and except also the special
tax upon the manufacturers of and dealers in
such articles.
ALL INTERNAL REVENUE SHOULD BE ABOLISHED
EXCEPT WHISKY.
venture now TO suggest that, unless IL shall be
agcertained that the probable expenditures OF the
government for the coming year have been un-
dereStimated, all internal taxes, save those which
relate to distilled spirits, can be prudenty abro-
gated.
tion of the machinery OF collection, which would
then be easy of accomplishment might teasoha.
bly, he expected to result in diminishing the cost of
such collection by a. least 5000 lO9 and IN the
AVN OAAANN - --0-
sons.
The system of excise duties has neytf- Com
mended itself to the favor of the American peo-
Pile, and has never been resorted to except for
supplying deficiencies in the Treasury when, by
reason of special eXigencies the duties on imports
have proved inadequate for the needs of the gov
ernmtnt. The sentiment of the country doubt
less demands that the present excise TAX shall be
abolished as soon as such course can be safely
Ii seems to me, however, that, for various rea-
sons, so sweeping measure as the total abolition
a ~
wise step
Two OF these reasons are deserving OF special
mention: ...
REASONS FOR NOT REPEALINe INTERNAL REVENUE
ABSOLUTELY.
First, it is by no means clear that, even If the
existing system of duties on imports is continued
without modification, those duties alone Will yield
sufficient revenue for all the needs of the govern
ment. 1t is estimated that one hundred millions
of dollars will be required for pensions during the
coming year, and it may well be doubted whether
the maximum annual demand for tnat object has
yet been reached. Uncertainty upon this question
would alone justify, in my Judgment the retention
for the present of that portion OF the system of
internal revenue which is least Objectionable to
the people. rs,
almost inevitable prove serious If not an insur-
mountable obstacle TO u thorough revision of the
tariff and to any considerable reduction in import
duties. 81
TARIFF COMMISSION. a,'rs
The present tariff system is in many respects
unjust. II makes unequal distributions both of
its burdens and its beneiits This fact was Iprsc;
tically recognized by majorityof eaeR I'll lodseoof
Congress in the passage of the net ereatittgaiie
Tariff Commission. The report of that codnlis.
sion will be placed before you at tue beglnnEht OF
this session. and will, trust alliIsh eyou yaeh f
formation as to the condition and prospects cgthe
various commercial, agricultural, manufacturing,
mining, and other interests Ot The country, and
contain such suggestions for statutory revision
win practically aid your action upon thisinA,or-
The revenue from customs for the g.cal year
ended June 80, 1879 amounted to sl37, 10000.
1t has in the three succeeding years reached,
FIRST SlS600O0 900; then, S9S 0O000o; and, finally,
as has been already stated, S22O,000,0O0 'F
The income from this souIee for the fiscal year
which will end on June 80, 1883, Will doubtlsss he
considerably in excess of the sum last MENTIONED.
TARIFF SHOULD DE MODIFIED. ~
If the tax on domestic spirits is TO be retained it
is plain therefore, that large reductions from the
customs revenue are entirely feasibly. While
ing the abandonment oil the policy of SO discrmi-
mating in the adjustment of details as TO afford aid
and protection TO domestic labor. But the present
system should be so 50 revised as to equglize the
public burden among all classes and occupatio rs,
and bring it into closer harmony with the present
needs OF industry.
Without entering into minute detail, which, un-
der present circumstances, is quite unnecessary,
recommend an enlargement OF the free list so as
to include within II the numerous articles which
yield inconsiderable revenue, a simplificatiOn OF
the complex and inconsistent schedule of dutee
upon certain manufactures particularly those of
cotton, IRON, ana steel, ana u SuDSIunldl reuuC-
ton of the duties upon those articles, and upon
sugar, molusses, silk, wool, and Woolen goods.
SUGAR.
If q general revision of the tariff shall be found
TO be mpracticable ut this session, express the
hone that at least some of the more conspicuous
inequalities of the present law may be corrected
before your final adjournment. One OF them is
specially referred to by the Secretary In view OF
Il recent decision of the Supreme Court, the ne
cessity of amending the law by which the Dutch
standard Of color is adopted as the test ofthe
charine strength Of sugars is too obvious to re-
quire comment.
anon. ...e INDIAN TROUBLES.
From the report of the Secretary OF War 1t mp.
pears that the only outbreaks OF Indians during
the past year occurred in Arizona and i'll the
southwestern part of New Mexico They were
promptly quelled, and the quiet which has pre-
| vailed III all paris of the country has permitted
such an addition TO be made to the military force
in the region endangered by the Apacles that
there is little reason to appIehend trouble In the
future.
Those parts of the Secretary's report which re.
late to our sea-Coust detenseS and their armament
suggest the gravest reflections. our existing forti
catious are nOtOriously inadequate 10 the defense
Of the great harbos and cities Tor whose protection
they were built
NECESSITY OF ARMING MALTA. 4
| The question of providing an armament suited
to our present necessities has been the subject Of
consideration by a board, whose report was trans
mitted 70 Congress at the last session. Pending
| the consideration Of that report the War Depart
ment has taken no steps for the manufacture or
| conversion Of any heavy cannon, but the Secre-
tary expresses the hope that authority and means
| to begin that important work will be soon pro-
| Nded. / invite the attention of Congress TO the
prOpriety OF making more adequate provision for
arming aud equipping the MALTA than is afforded
by the act of 1905 which Is still upon the statute
book. The matter has already been the subject of
discussion in the Senate and bill which seeks to
"a ha m Ia nNNt