The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1882-12-14
f.l. ju.tiaed in recommending to congress. III.

ASAs JuoA00U IN RECOMMENDING 10 congress- I00
ABOLITION OF INTERNAL REVENUES
except those upon tobacco in it's various forms,
and upon distilled spirits and fermentsd
liquors, and except also tho special tax upon
the manufacturers and dealers in such articles.
l venture now to suggest that, unless it ehall Le
aseertained that the probable expenditures Of
the government for the coming year
save those which relate to distilled
Such. accompanied by simplidcation Of the
machinery OF collection, which would then bs
easy of accomplishment, might reasonably be
expected to result IN diminishing the cost of
such collection by At least So. 500, 900, and in
the retirement from Office OF from I, 500 to
1000 persons. The system Of excise duties
has never commended itself to the favor of the
American people. and has never been resorted
to except for supplying deficiencies in the
treasury when BY reason Of special exigencies
tho duties on imports have proved made
quate to the needs Of the government
The sentiment Of the country doubtless COM
mands that tho present exciso tax shall be
abolished as soon ~ euch course can safely be
pursued. Il seems to me. however, for vari-
ous reasons. that 80 sweeping measure as the
total abolition Of internal taxes would, for the
present, be an unwise step. Two Of these
reasons are deserving of special mention
Flrst-1t is by no means clear that, even IL
the existing system of duties on imports is con.
tinued without modification of those dulies,
they alone will yield sufficient revenue for ali
the needs Of the government. It is estimated
that $lOO, 100000 will be required fo1
pensions during tho coming year, and it may
we'll be doubted whether the maximum annual
Certainly this question would alone just.
fy, in my judgment, the retention for the
present Of the portion Of internal revenue
which Is least Objectionable to the people.
Second-A total abolition of the excise tsxee
would almost prove a serious II not an unsur-
mountable objection to thorough revision OF
the tariff aud to any considerable reduction in
import duties.
UNJUST TARIFF.
The present tariff system ia in many re-
spects unjuet 1t makes unequal distributions
both Of its burdens aud it's benefits. This fact
was practically recognized by a majority OF
each house of congress in the passage OF the
Of that commission will be placed before YOU
ut tho beginning Of this session and will,
trust, afford you such information as to the
condition and prospects Of the various COM
mercial, agricultural, mining. manufacturing
and other interests of the country.
and contain such suggestions for statd:
tory revision ss will practically aid
The revenue from customs for the fiscal yeal
ending June 80, 1879. amounted to $137,
OOO, 600 II has in the three succeeding year.
reached. frat. 1886. 100000. then $108.-
OOO. 900, and finally, a. has been already
stated. 1920, ,OOO,O The income from thi.
service for the fiscal year which will end on
June 80, 1883, will doubtless be considerably
in excess Of the sum last mentioned. II the tai
on domestic spirits is to be retained, 1t is
plain, therefore, that large reductions
from the customs revenue are en-.
tirely feasible While recommending tni'
reduction, am far from advising th'
in the adjustment Of details as to afford aic
and projection to domestic labor. But th,
present system should be 10 revised ~ tt
equalize tho public burden among Ill classei
and occupations, and bring it into closer har.
mony with the present needs of industry
without entering into minute details, which
under present circumstances, is quite unneo
essary, I recommend an enlargement Of tha
free trade list 80 ss to include within It ths
numerous articles which yield in considerable
revenue, = simplifcation Of the com
plex and inconsistent schedule Of duties upoz
certain manufacturer. particularly those on
cotton, iron and steel, and substantial reduc
ton Of the duties upon these articles and upoE
II general revision of the tariff shall b,
fonnd to be impraclicsble at this SESSION, I ex
press the hope that Mt least some Of the m0rl
conspicuous inequalities Of the present Law
may be corrected before your fina. adjourn
ment One OF them is especially referred to
by the secretary; In view OF the recent decision
of the supreme court, the necessity OF amend
ing the law by which the duties on standard o
color il adopted - the tcst OF the saccharin,
strength Of sugars is too obvious 70 require
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