Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-12-13

ably be expected to result in dimin-
ishing the cost of such collection by
at least S2, 800, 900 and in the retire
ment from office Of from 1900 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 sup
plying deficiencies in the Treasury
when, by reason of special exigencies,
the duties on imports have proved in
adequate for the needs Of the Gov
ernment. The sentiment of the coun-
try doubtless demands that the present
excise tax shall be abolished as soon
as such a course can safely be pursued.
1t seems to me, however, for various
reasons, so 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. First, it is by no
means clear that even if the existing
system Of duties on imports is con-
tinued without modification, those
duties alone will yield sufficient rev.
enue for all the needs of the Govern
ment. 1t is estimated that one hun
dred millions of dollars will be re-
quired for pensions during the coming
year, and it may well be doubted
whether the maximum annual demand
for that object has yet been reached.
Uncertainty upon this question would
alone justify, in my judgment, the
retention for the present of that por-
ton Of the system Of internal revenue
which is least Objectionable to the
people. Second, n total abolition Of
excise taxes would almost inevitably
prove serious, if not an insurmount-
able, obstacle to a thorough revision
of the tariff, and to any considerable
reduction in import duties.
The present tariff system is in many
respects unjust. 1t makes distribu-
tions both of the burdens and its ben
efts.
The revenue from customs for the
fiscal1 year ending June 30th, 1879,
amounted to $137, 100000. 1t has in
the three succeeding years reached,
first, $1S6, 100000, then S19S,000,00
and, this fiscal year, 1920, 41O,73O.
The income from this source for the
fiscal year which will end on June
30th, 1883, will doubtless be consid-
erably in excess Of the sum last
mentioned.
If the tax on domestic spirits is to
be retained, it is plain, therefore, that
large reductions from the customs
revenue are entirely feasible. While
recommending this reduction, | am
far from advising the abandonment
of the policy of so discriminating in
the adjustment Of details as to afford
aid and protection to domestic labor.
But the present system should be so
revised as to equalize the public bur-
den among all classes and occupations,
and bring it into closer harmony with
the present needs of industry. l
recommend an enlargement of the
free list so as to include within it the
numerous articles which yield incon-
siderable revenue, a simplification of
the complex and inconsistent schedule
Of duties upon certain manufactures,
particularly those of cotton, iron, and
steel, and substantial reduction of
the duties upon those articles, and
upon sugar, molasses, silk, wool, and
wooden goods.
The available naval force of the
United States consists Of 81 cruisers,
II single turretted monitors built du-
ring the rebellion, and large num-
Der of smooth bore guns and Parrot
rifles, and 81 rihed cannon. He
that the cruising war
vessels should be gradually replaced
by iron or steel ships, the monitors by |
modern armored vessels, and their
by high power rifed guns.
The President also recommends |
the reduction of letter postage from
three cents to two cents; that the sit |
uations of the subordinate govern
ment officials should be definite and
stable, and not liable to be regulated
by zeal in the service of party, or f.
deity to the fortunes of an individ-
uol. He is also opposed to political
but rs he, during the late
election, permitted such things to be
carried on, he can hardly be sincere
in his recommendation He could |
have put an end to the assessment on
the clerks this year if he had so de-
sired. In regard to the difficulty be-
tween Chill and Peru, the President |
stated that the government had tried
to get Chill to accept money in
1emnity from Peru, but Chill refused
and the Government did not intend
10 back their advice with force. He
putting the diplomatic
md consular services on q salaried
oasis-leaving the fees to inure to the
benefit of the Treasury.