The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-11-08
rhe rntarnal.Rerenue system.

The Internai-Revenue system.
Judge KELLEY, Of Pennsylvania, was last
winter an open and earnest advocate OF the
policy OF doing away with the entire in
tcrnaLrevenue system Of the country. But
ne lost his right to independent action by
entering into q caucus on the subject with
the Republican members Of the House OF
Representatives, and thus coming under
obligations to be governed by the wishes
OF the majority. The caucus decided by
a large majority--by vote almost unani-
nous, we think--to recommend the repeal
OF the tax upon few articles, but not to
hermit the tax TO be taken off whiskey and
tobacco. The Republicans considered
themselves as party responsible for the
action OF Congress In both houses OF
which they had majority; and, assuming
the responsibility, refused 10 allow the
Republican members Of the House to vote
as some Of them would have liked to vote.
But the people have caused 81 to become
apparent 10 even the Republicans that at
least some OF the internal-revenue taxes
must be abolished. The voice OF Ohio
changed the tune Of the Republicans IN a
very short space OF time. Mr.. HoAR and
others Of the leaders OF the Republican
party have declared for reduction OF the
amount OF the revenues Of the Govern
meut. This is not the same thing rs de-
claring for the entire destruction OF the
internal-revenue system, but II is propo-
sition looking in exactly the right direc-
tion. For inasmuch as the Governments
revenues are all except mere fraction de-
rived from customs-duties and the internal
taxes, and inasmucb as the protectionlSts
and the advocates of tariff for revenue,
both classes prefer large revenue from
the tariif, the internal taxes will almost GER
tainIy be the taxes which are first taken off.
The Republicans may try to take the wind
out OF the sails of the next Democratic
House Of Representatives by doing some
thing this winter to reduce the revenues OF
the Government.
What the Democrats have to fear and
to guard against is an attempt to continue
the taxes upon whiskey and tobacco. These
articles are under the ban OF good many
northern people, and these people are
anxious 10 continue the tax upon those
articles. The Republicans, too, as party,
have found their advantage in keeping up
the internal-revenue system. 1t has fur
nisbed them with spies, informcrs, cleo
tioneerers, and money wherewith to carry
elections. II, therefore, the Democrats are
not on their guard, the Republicans will
steal march upon them. Let our friends
be vigilant. Let them agree to no compro-
mise, but demand the absolute destruction
OF this cancer upon the body polite. The
Republicans can easily so arrange the tariff
as TO compel the continuance of the Internal
revenue system. The Democrats, II in
power, might easily so arrange the tariff as
TO do away entirely with the necessity for
the internal taxes. Between these two
policies there is choice; and the voters
will undoubtedly decide for the latter
policy. Let the Democrats, therefore, see
to il that they so shape the measures Of the
present Congress as that they shall not be
debarred from the privilege Of lcgislating
out Of existence in 1884. or soon thereaf-
ter, q system Of taxation odiOus to free
people and as unnecessary as it Is odiOus.