The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-08-20
NINDEpENDENT VOICE.

The independent Republicans in Pennsyl-
yania are taking strong stand in favor of
the reduction or abolition OF internal revenue
taxation, and have issued a manifesto to that
effect. 1t is easy to say, Of course, than the
zeal Of Pennsylvanians in this direction is
prompted by desire to prevent any reduce
tion in the tariff which protects their indus
tries, but that is a fair cause for their inter
est in the subject, and the arguments which
they are able to adduce are entitled to re-
spect. They pronounce such taxes essen
TALLY a war measure, not TO be maintained
after the necessities of the war have been
satisfied and call attention to the fact that the
proceeds of them tend constantly TO increase,
while the purposes TO which they can he ap-
piled diminish. At the end of three years
the payable bonds, now less than $4j0, 00O,-
600, owing to Secretary Sherman's peculiar
system of " finance while conducting the
Treasury under the advice of the New York
banks, can all be distinguished and one of
four things must occur: G) A sweeping re-
duction must be made in the revenues ca
expenditures (3) there must be great ac.
cumulation of surplus in the Treasury or
C4) the Treasury mustpurchase bonds in the
open market at such premiums as they may
command.
As way out of this quandary the Inje-
pendents suggest
1t might therefore be perfectly possible for the
United States to 90 repeal all the internal taxes but
those relating liquors and tobacco, and to reduce
these (2) retain SUFFICIENT sum, say $50, 600, 600,
from the two sources TO pay off the whole of the three
aud one-half per cents. by 1891, when the four and
onc-half per cents. become payable; and 90 to dis
tribute to the States for their educational work
mGlnng sum which would lift from the shoulders Of
the people great part of their present burdens OF
taxation. Thus Il the internal revenues reduced
by repeal and amendment Of the existing systems tc
500, 600, 600 year, and II surplus could be Sc
cured from the customs and other revenues, there
could bo $50 OcO 600 per annum his more than full
filling the demands OF the sinking fund, ~ used tC
pay oil In the next nine years the $3.50, 600, 900 Of
three and one-half per cents payable, while
$50, coo, OOO would remain for distribution to this
Statesa sum equal to ve-eghths of their present to-
tai expenditures for public schools That this woult
greatly benefit the country, especially the South,
WIeie llltcicy is so large IN proportion 10 wealth.,
cannot I've doubted 1t would solve the problem how
sufficient education is to be had for the freed peo-
pie, without oyerweghing the taN-paying strength o.
the Southern States. II the system Of public educa
tlou needs immediate development, doubtless 4
does, an increase of twenty-five per cent. in Its cN
pendltures, raising them to $780, OOO 600 year, wou,
st he aided by the contribution Of onehalf the whole
cost from the national taxes.
Another strong argument which ever
these reformers did not feel bold enough t,
aiduce against their own party is that tn,
present extensive internal revenue system
keeps up horde of officials whose salaries
are dead loss to the community, beside:
afording rich harvest to the assessors fol
partisan corruption funds, while the Officials
themselves are PrTtoriau guard to MAKE
and unmake Presidents, Congressman, anC
other officers supposed to be freely chosen
by the people.
More will be heard of these views in fu
ture political campaigns, and they may evel
rise to the dignity of issues - or "watch
words" so that it is interesting to note thei
progress among the people. There must eyi
IDENTIFY be great change i'll our fiscal system
ere long, and intelligent discussion is great,
to be desired fn order to control what shap,
il shall take.