Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-11-21
THE INTERNAL REVENUE SYSTEM.

One of the legacies of the late
war was the internal revenue system.
Before the war we had no internal
revenue taxes, but the enormous ex>
penditures made indispensable by
that terrible struggle, rendered the
collection of a large additional reve-
nue. an absolute necessity. An
internal revenue tax is unpopular.
Whenever the system can be dis
pensed with, without endangering
the safety of the public credit, the
voice of the people is that it shall
be done. There are great many
persons who believe that the time
has now come when it should be
done, and that number is increasing
every day. One of the results of
the recent election, is the earnest
and vigorous discussion of this ques
ton.
Under our present laws the gov
eminent is collecting large surplus
revenue-about $500, 100000 annu-
ally. We are paying off our
public debt at the rate of
100000 per month. We are
aware of no good reason why our
national debt should be so rapidly
extinguished. The people have
with rare patience, born of inherent
patriotism, borne a long siege of
heavy taxation, and they are willing
to bear it still if they are convinced
that it is necessary, but they believe
that the time has come for reduc-
ton.
Can the internal revenue system
be safely abolished Has the time
come when it should be? Much
may be said for and against such
proposition. The principal part of
the internal revenue taxes now col
lected is from whisky and tobacco,
and about the only sound reason
against abolishing the system comes
from an opposition to the removal of
taxes from these articles. The in
ternal revenue now amounts to about
S135, 100000 annually. To collect
this costs the government about
S5,000,000. A bill passed the House
of Representatives last summer re-
ducing the internal revenue about
S23. 100000.
Public sentiment does not de-
mand that the tax should be re-
moved from whisky and tobacco, but
it may be reduced very safely. We
want no large surplus revenue as a
temptation to Congress to make exs
travagant appropriations. There is
general impression that expendi-
lures may be reduced, and then a
corresponding reduction in taxation.
While it may not be practicable Or
desirable to abolish the internal rev.
enue system, it may be very much
modified and made less complex.
There is now an army OF collectors,
deputy collectors, storekeepers and
guagers. The reduction of the
sources from which the government
collects tax to the two articles of
spirits and tobacco, and a change in
the method of collection would re
duce this fully one half and the
outlay for collection very largely.
The discussion of this question
is opportune and has just cons
menced. If the Republican Congress
this winter wants to do something
that will commend the party to the
confidence and support of the Ameri>
can people, it will thoroughly con-
slider this question. The internal
revenue system was an outgrowth of
the war. The war rendered it a
stern necessity. The war mas been
over more than seventeen years. We
are getting back to q peace basis
We want no unnecessary taxation.
The customs revenue system is one
that has been tried, and that com,
mands the approval of the people
The will of the people must be re-
spected.
THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY.