New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-07
PRnnCTLON OF TAXES.

Late as il is, the Republican Senators nave
resolved TO mass bill reducing taxation. The
passage of the bill correcting the clerical error
IN the tariff as to knit goods was senslole
and praiseworthy step, and 1t removes one vi
the main reasons for mixing up any change Oh
the tariff with the reduction OF internal rev.
enue. If Senators could now agree to pass
the Revenue bill as it came from the House,
or with only such minor changes as would not
occasion prolonged discussion or stubborn re-
sistance, they might accomplish very lmpor-
tant and useful work. But it is likely to be
difficult indeed to effect any change, IL
the Senate attempts to alter the tariff and to
cut down the tobacco tax in the same bill. In
fact, it is probable that no reduction OF taxation
can in that case be made. 1t is possible to oiier
amendments of the tariff in number as the
sands of the sea, and to discuss them III the
Senate indefinitely, and, even if the bill should
finally pass the Senate, it might then be neces-
sary to bring together a quorum of Republl-
cans alone to carry it in the House.
The Republican party will have quite enough
to Justify and explain, in the campaign next
fall, without adding a refusal to reduce taxa
ton. True, it may be shown that the Repubh-
can members in both Houses voted for meas
ures OF reduction, and that the Democrats
generally resisted such measures. But the fact
will remain that the Republicans OF the two
Houses had power to secure some reduction OF
taxes, and very important reduction, II they
had agreed as to the amount and method. If
all reduction should be defeated, merely be-
cause some Senators insist upon a greater re-
duction than the House has voted, or a differ
q ola fhOoo onH
the party in an undesirable position. 1t is the
duty of members of the party in power to do
| what they can for the public welfare, even II
they cannot get done all that they would like.
Men who practically cause the defeat OF useful
measures, because they want to carry other
measures which they consider more useful,
have to bear a personal responsibility just the
same as if they had opposed and defeated good
bills for other reasons.
Congress now knows abOut what the expen
ditures will be under its acts. In the Senate
on Saturday, Mr.. Allison, chairman of the
Committee on Appropriations, stated that
"the entire amount appropriated by the regu-
"lar appropriation bills is 1910 1O3,225 20,
"and the total by other bills $24, 1881 &c,
making gross aggregate of 1924, DAB, O97 80.
"The excess of appropriations over last year
ais $77, 500, OOO," which is very nearly the
| increase named by The TRIBUNE last Friday.
| 1t will take the Republican members good deal
of their time to explain and Justify parts of
this increase. If they also fail to reduce taxes,
what reason can be given9 The interest on
the bonded debt is now (since August y only
$50, S35, Ill yearly, and the interest on Pacific
Railroad bonds only $3,S77, 410 u, of which
| part will be paid in transportation or by the
companies in cash. Less than $6O,00O,00O,
therefore, will meet all interest, and less than
1854, 25O, 900, according to Senator Allison,
will cover all expenditures authorized during
the year. The revenue is likely to be at least
$9O,OOO,0O more. What justification Can
there be for refusal to abate any part OF
| this revenue7 The House has given its assent
| to a reduction of about $24, 900, 900; so much
can be accomplished by single vote in the
| Senate. If Senators insist upon larger re-
duction, they assume the responsibility for q
possible failure, at this late period in the SEES
sion, to get any reduction whatever. The
Democratic Senators ought to be left a
| monopoly of that responsibility.