Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-12-07
GRAND RAPIDS, WIS, THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 1882.

the treasury, whom, by reason OF special exigen-
eies, the duties on imports have proved made
quate to the needs of the government.
The sentiment of the country doubtless COM
mends the present excise law shall be abolished
as soon as such course can safely be pursued. It
seems to me- however, for various rea sons. so
sweeping a measure, as the total abolition OF in
te lal tax, would for the present be an unwiSs
step. Two OF these reasons are deserving of
special mention:
First, it is by no means clear that even If tho
existing system of duties on imports as contiu-
ued without modifc alton that those duties alone
will yield sufficient revenue for all the needs Of
the government. 1t Is estimated that one hun
dred millions of dollars Will be required for
pensions during the coming rear, and it may we
be doubted whether the maximum annual de-
mand for that object has yet been reached. Un-
certainty upon this question would alone Justify
Ia my judgment the retention for the present Of
that portion Of the system Of internal revenue
which IL least Objectionable To the people.
Second, a total abolition of excise taxes
would almost prove a serious If not unsurmount-
able, objection TO a thorough revision of the
tariff. and TO any considerable reduction in i'm
port duties.
THE Pr EsENy TARIFF SYSTEM
is, in many respects unjust. It makes an une-
quail distribution both OF its burdens and its
benefits. This fact was especially recognized by
majority OF each house of congress in tbs pas
sage OF the act creating the tariff commission.
The report OF that commission will be placed be-
fore you at the beginning of this session and will,
trust, afford you such Information az to the
condition and prospects of the various CONNER.
cial, agricultural, mining, manufacturing and
other interests of the country, and contain such
suggestions for statutsry revision as will practi
cally aid your action upon this important subject.
The revense from customs for the fiscal year
eadlng June 80, 1879, amounted to S137, 600 900.
1t has In the three succeeding years reached
first, SlS6, 900, 900, then Sl98 900 900, and final
ly, as has been already stated, $40 900 goo.
The income from this service for the fiscal year
which will end on June 30th, 1888, will doubtless
be considerably in excess of the sum last men
toned. If the tax on domestic spirits is to be
retained it is plain, therefore, that large reduc-
tioas from the customs revenue entirely feast
be. While recommending this reduction, am
far from advising the abandonment of the policy
of discrm eating in the adjustment Of the detail, so
to afford aid and protection to domestic labor.
But the present system should be revised as to
equalize the pubIics burden among all classes
and occupations, and bring it into closer har-
mony with the present needs Of the public interest.
Without entering into minute details which,
under present circumstances is quite unnecessary,
| recommend an enlargement of the free list So
as to include within it the numerous articles
which yield considerable revenue, simplifcaton
Of the complex and inconsistent schedule of
duties upon certain manufactures, and particu-
larly those upon cotton, ir.n and. steel, and
substantial reduction of duties upon those ar
tseies, and upon sugar, molasses, six, wool and
woclen goods. 1t general revision of the
tariff shall be found to be imprac,icable at tai.
session, express the hope that at least some Of
the more conspicuous Inequalities of the present
law may be corrected before yoar final adjourn
nlent. One Of them Is especially referred to by
the secretary. Ia view of a recent decision of the
supreme court the necessity Of amending the
law by which the duties on standard OF Q ,lor is
adopted as tho test of saecharine strength of
sugars s too obvious to requir, comment.