Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-12-08

abolition Of internal revenue taxes cxcep
those upon tobacco in its various forms am
upon distilled spirits and fermented liquors
and except also the special tax upon manu-
fact,rers OF and dealers in such articles.
venture now to suggest that unless it shall bt
ascertained that the probable expenditures Of
the government for the coming vear have
been underestimate all internal taxes save
those which relate to distilled spirits can be
pfudently abrogIted. Such course, if &C.
companed by smplification of the machin.
cry of collection, which would then be easy
OF accomplishment, might reasonably be ex.
pectod TO result In diminishing the cost OF
such collection by at least two millions and
half of dollais and in the retirement from
Office of from 1900 to 1000 persons The
system of excise duties has never commend
cd itself to the favor of the American people,
and has never been resoited to except for
supplying deficiencies in the treasury when
by reason Of special 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 that so
sweeping measure as the total abolition of
internal taxes would for the present be an
uhNioC SUPP W. vi tUCSC IcuS JUS uIt utStTN-
ing OF special mentions First, it is
by no mean clear that even if
the existing system of duties on
imports is continued without moiiil-
cation those duties alone will yield
sufficient. revenue for all the needs of the
Government. 1t is estimated that one hun
dred millions of dollars will be required for
pensions during the coming year and it may
well be doubted whether the maximum annu-
al demand for that object has yet been
reached. Uncertainty 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.
Second, a total abolition of excise iaxea
would almost inevitably prove serious II
not an insurmountabie obstacle to Il thorough
revision of the tariff and to any considerable
reduction in import duties.
The Prc>ent TariGSystcm
is in many respects unjust. 1t makes une-
lual distributions both of its burdens and its
benefits. This fact was practically recogniz-
ed by majority of each House of Congress
in the passage of the act creating the tariff
commission. The report of that commission
Will be placed before YOU at the beginning of
this session and will, trust, afford you such
information as to the condition and prospects
of the varions commercial, agricultural man.
ufacturlng, mining, and other interests 0f
the country, and contain such suggestions
for statutory revision as will practically aid
your action upon this important subject
The Revenue From Customs.
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1879,
amounledto S137,000,00 1t has in the
three succeeding years reached first $780,
OOO,O 600 then Sl0S, 900, 900 and finally, as
has been already stated, geo, 600, coo, The
income from this source for the fiscal year,
which will end on June 80, 1888, will doubt
less be considerably in excess of the sum last
mentioned If the tax on domestic spirits is
to be retained, ii is plain therefore, that large
reductions from the customs revenue are en-
ircly feasible. While recommending this
reduction am far from advising the allan
donmcnt of the policy OF so discriminating
in the adjustment of details as to afford aid
and protection to domestic labor. But the
present system should he SO revised as to
equilize the public burden among all classes
and occupations and bring it into closer har-
mouy with the present needs of industry
Without entering into minute detail, which
under present circumstances is quite
unnecessary, | recommend an enlarge.
mcnt of the free list so as tc
include within it the numcrou,
| articles which yield uncomfortable revenue
IA simpliiicalion of the complex and inconsis
| tent schedule of duties upon certain manu-
features, particularly those of cotton, non aut
steel, and substantial reduction of the du
ties upon those articles, and upon sugar, mo
lasses, silk, wool aud woollen goods If ;
general revision of the tariff shall be fount
to be impraclicabc at this session, ! express