Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-30
rhe InternaI Rerenue ReduetIOn BIN

The Internal Revenue Reduction Bill
The bill which recently passed the
House by vote of 127 to so, providing
for the abolition of internal revenue
taxation, is, like its fellow, the tariff
commission bill, simply delusion and
a snare. When the people demanded
reform of the present Ubiquitous tariff
system our Republican Congress prom
ised that their wishes should receive con
sideration. Yet, that they might "keep
the word of promise to the ear and break
it to the hope, they, with great cunning,
concocted a commission scheme, framed
first with the object of delaying the
whole matter of tariff reform
altogether, and next, that when the
commission finally reported the report
shall be in favor of the present system,
so that thus a pretext might be given for
final non-interference with the war tariff
So with the abolition of internal revenue
taxation. An,overhowing Treasury, with
a surplus Oh hand of $3.50, 100000, tells
in more forcible language than can
words the story of people uselessly OPP
pressed and burdened to the earth with
taxes, vet when a change is demanded,
a bill is gotten up after much labor and
study to apparently relieve the peoples
burdens to the extent of a paltry
$17,000,000 per annum, but which,
when analysed, is found to amount
to nothing. Taxes are reduced
on bank checks, cosmetics and
a few similar articles for the benefit of
the wealthy and the few, while they are
still left on all articles of prime necessity
consumed by the masses. Verify, the
Radicals are experts in giving the people
stones when they ask bread.
1t is true that certain Democrats voted
in the affirmative on each of these meas
ures. The reason assigned for their so
doing, however, is, that they acted on
the principle that "half loaf is better
than no bread" Having endeavored
earnestly to secure the substance rather
than the shadow of revenue reform, and
seeing, at length, that, with a Radical
majority in both branches of the Federal
Legislature, this was hopeless, they de-
termined to secure all the benefit posi-
bic to the people, and voted for the COM
mission and the Kelley internal revenue
bill. On this principle their action may
be commended, although we doubt not
the people would have applauded their
conduct more if they had fearlessly OPP
posed the schemes of the Radicals, and
placed themselves on record against any
such hypocrisy. THIS course would have
been more manly as well as more con-
sistent with the principles and teachings
of the party.
1t is plainly evident from the drift of
these two measures that the country is
never to enjoy anything like substantial
reform of the revenue while the Repub
lican party remains in power. A system
of taxation levied for the benefit OF the
rich, and at the expense of the poor, is
not only in strict keeping with Radical
practices, but it builds up a wealthy
class always ready to contribute of their
easily acquired gains to keep their spe-
cial friends in power. Even now we
see that in order that Republicanism may
prevail, it is necessary to raise
bribery and corruption funds by
levying assessments upon the wages of all
the Federal employees in the country, but
the sum thus acquired, large as it is, is
inadequate to purchase or induce a suffi-
cient number of voters to forget the
crimes and iniquities of the Radical
party, and SO the protected monOpolists,
and the entire class who have fattened
and grown wealthy through Radical
legislation, must be looked to to make
up the deficiency. No wonder then that
so long as the Republicans remain in
power will the people look in vain for
reform. They must take the matter in
their own hands, and vote at the polls to
hurl from place the party which has so
long deceived them, and restore the reins
of government to the party upon which
they can alone safely rely for the needed
relief