West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-03-24

OpmHlbIeS VI OouRietss
consisting Of Mossrs. DUNNELL, Rus
SELL, ERRETT. RANDALL aud CAR
Isle, propose to reduce taxes as
follows: On whiskey. from 90 to so
cents per gallon; on malt liquors,
from 81 to 60 cents per barrels; on to-
bacco, snuff, etc, from l6 TO 10 cents
per pound; on cigars. from So to 81
per thousand; on cigarettes, from
SI 10 to 6Ocents per thousand; a re-
duotion OF the special taxes on deal
ers IN liquor aud tobacco; a repeal
OF the taxes on capital and deposits
OF banks, checks, matches and pro-
prietary medicines, cosmetics and
perfumes. 1t is estimated that this
measure, if adopted without change,
would reduce the revenue about
$68.O0O,000 upon the basis Of last
years business.
The reoeal ofthe taxes on matches,
proprietary medicines, checks, de-
posts and capital would be eminent
ly wise. Il would emove vexatious
burdens which yield to the Treasury
only about $ll 100000, and which
in some respects ~seriously retard the
natural and healthful development
Of Legitimate business.
But it cannot be said that the taxes
on liquors and tobacco hinder any
legitimate business, For these
branches Of business, whatever may
be thought Of them, have certainly
not been hindere ed in their develop
ment by the taxes now imposed.
The production of spirits last year
reached the unprecedented aggregate
of ll7,728, $50 gallons, againts So
0 3.053 gallons in 1878, so that the
production has more than doubled in
three years. The increase in tile
production of lermeuteI liquors has
been, during the same time. from
~ 'E1
9,470,0 600 barrels in 1878 to Is 237-
700 barrels in 1881, an increase OF 40
per cent, while the Increase in pom
u%'ation has been less than ten per
cent. The increase in The produc-
ton OF tobacco hss been from ll9.
100000 pounds in 1878 to I6l,63l-
lob pounds in 1881, or nearly 40 per
cent, but the increase in mauuiac-
ture of cigars aud cigarettes has been
more than so per cent. No one can
say that thage branchea Of business
have been depressed by excessive
burdeLs.
But it is proposed to take oGtaxes
amounting to about $56, 500, 900 from
the manufacture and sale of these
articles. If the Government can
spare 80 much revenue, are there no
other industries, at least equally use-
iuI aud meritorious, which might
fairly come in for some part of the
banef2 The whole revenue from
duties on sugar and molasses OF all
kinds ia only $48 600, 900, but the
Industrious and temperate workmen
throughout TIA. land wonld be help
ed, to the extent of at least S. a year
for each family, by the removal OF
these duties, if so large a revenue
could be spared. A large proportion
OF Them, who use Deither liquors nor
tobacco, would gain absolutely moth
ing by the proposed reduction Of
956, 100000 in the taxes on these ar
t%lcles. Ought not the benefit Of re-
movai OF burdens 70 bs distributed
as fairly as possible. without especial
discrimination against those who
practice an honorable conomy for
the happiness of heir families?
1t Is \ 0ouqd rule of political SCI
eoce to impose necessary burdens in
such a manne that those who please
to practice self-denial can in a
measure avoid them. It is not
craftsmanship to cheaper Injuries
if thereby 1t is necessary to render
The oecossaries Of life so much more
costly. Whoever pleases can avoid
The payment Of taxes on liquors and
tobacco, or can go regulate bis indul-
gences as to render those taxes az
light as he p.eases. Bat 10 fatoilS
can avoid the burdens imposed by
duties On sugar or salt, spices or mo
ported drugs, or many other articles
upon which duties might be reduced
without detrlment 10 Industries.
g-
In a sensible article upon the Mis-
sIssippi h)ols The Viaks burg UeyaH
donrnr.Fr- 81. --.