Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-12-06
ABOLITION OF INTERNAL REVENUE rAxss


Upon the showing OF our financial condition at
the close OF the last fiscal year feel justified In
recommending TO congress the abolition of in
ternal revenue taxes except those upon tobacco
in its various forms and upon distilled spirits
and fermented liquors, and except also the special
tax upon the manufacturers OF and dealers in
such articles. | venture now to suggest that I'M
less II shall be ascertained that the probable ex
penditures OF the government for the coming
year have been underestimate, all internal
taxes save those which relate to distilled spirits
can be prudenty abrogated, Such course II
accompanied by simplihcation OF the machinery
OF collection, which would then be easy of accom-
plishment, might reasonably be expected to re-
suit In diminishing the cost OF such collection by
at least 80 800 600, and In the retirement from
office OF from 800 to 1000 persons. The sys-
TEN Of excise duties has never commended itself
to the favor OF the American people and has
never been resorted to except for supplying def
ciencies In the treasury when by reason OF spe-
cial exigencies the duties on imports have proved
inadequate for the needs of the government.
The sentiment OF the country doubtless demands
that the present excise tax shall be abolished as
soon as such course can safely be pursued 1t
seems to me, however, for various reasons so
sweeping measure as the total abolition Of in
| ternal taxes would for the present be an unwise
| step Two of these reasons are deserving Of
| special mention. First 1t Is by no means clear
that even II the existing system of duties on i'm
ports Is continued without modification. these
duties alone will yield sufficient for all
l
| that 500, 100000 will be required for pensions
| during the coming year, and 1t may be well
doubted whether the maximum annual demand
| for that object has yet been reached. Uncer-
tainty upon this question would alone justify in
| my judgment. the retention for the present Of
that portion OF the system OF internal revenue
| which Is least Objectionable to the people. Sec
| ond a total abolition OF the tax would almost
| inevitably prove serious II not AN insurmount-
able obstacle TO a thorough revision TO the tariff
and to any considerable reduction in import
duties. The present tariff system Is In many re-
| spects unjust II makes unequal distribution,
both OF its burdens and its benefits This fact
was practically recognized by majority Of each
house Of congress on the passage OF the act ere
ating the tariff commission. The report of that
commission will be placed before you at the be-
ginning OF this session, and will ! trust, afford
| you such information as ~ the condition and
prospects OF the various commercial, agricul-
tnral, manufacturing, mining and other interests
| OF the country, and contain such suggestions for
statutory revision as will practically aid your
action upon this important subject. The reve-
nue. from customs for the fiscal year ending June
30th, 1879, amounted to Sl3I 100000. II has in
the three succeeding years reached first SlS6 0O0
900, then Sl0S, 900, 900 and finally, as has already
been stated, 500, 600 600. The income from this
source for the fiscal year which will end on June
3Oth, 1888, will doubtless be considerably In ex-
cess OF the sum last mentioned. II the tax on
domestic Spirits IL TO be retained Il Is plain, there
fore, that large reductions from the customs rev
enue are entirely feasible. While recommending
TINS reduction am lar from ADVISING the hban
donment OF the policy OF so discriminating in the
adjustment OF details as to afford aid and pro-
lection to domestic labor But the present sys
TEN should be so revised as to equalize the
public burden among all classes and occupations
and bring II into closer harmony with the pres en
needs OF industry. Without entering into mi
mute detail, which, under the circumstances, IL
quite unnecessary. | recommend an enlarge
ment OF the free list 80 as TO include within 4
the numerous articles which yield noonslderablC
revenue, a slmplifcation Of the complex and In
consistent schedule Of duties upon certain manu-
factures particularly those Of cotton, iron ant
steel and substantial reduction OF the dutiei
upon those articles and upon sugar, molasses
silk, wooden goods. II a general revision OF tbs
tariff shall be- found to be impaeticeable at thii
session express the hope that ut least some o.
the more conspicuous inequalities OF the pTesen
law may be corrected before your final adjourn
, ment. One OF them In specially referred 10 by
the secretary in view OF a recent decision of thu
supreme court. The necessity Of amending thu