Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1883-12-06
MEXICO MISSOURI THURSDAY. DECEMBER 6, 1883
BLAINE'S BID.
just previous to the organization of
r,ororass hv fi,o alaot;on ~

BLAINE'S BID.
just previous to the organization OF
Congress by the election of . speaker,
and in advance of the presidential
message, Mr.. James G. Blaine rushes
to the front with a proposition to di-
vide the revenue arising from taxation
of Efermented and distilled liquors
among the states according to their
tpopulations. II has been widely
tsnpposed that Mr.. Blaine had retired
from politics and was no longer a
lcandidate for position. Whether
that surmise be correct or net, Mr..
Blaine is still the recognized leader of
the liberal portion of the Republican
party, and on that account, what he
says al this juneture, will bs regard
ed by most politicians as worthy of
serious consideration.
From its inception, our existing
Intsruat Revenue taxation has been
fegarded 6y The sDempaacy q IN
1 constitutional The .nnmber Of per-
, sons employed inscolleefing it is over
four thousand, and the salaries paid
them, exclusive of the costs of suits
and lawyers and other expenses,
amount annually to over five millions
of dollars. The retention of such a
horde Of partisans has been often
shown by the LEDGER to be one Of
the means of keeping itself in power,
resorted to by. the Republican party.
In point of fact too, Internal Rev
enue taxation has not been levied
with the uniformity demanded by the
organic law. The productions Of a
few OF the states have been selected
for an. oppressive excise. 1t is the
excess corps of the corn producing
and the yield of the tobacco growing
states, that have borne the burden.
As enforced, the Internal Revenue
system has also lessened competition
for the agricultural production of
those states, by reducing the number
of their distilleries and tobacco man.
afactories,, and regulating those in
operation, so as to admit of their be-
ing carried on only by the very rich.
Constitutional Republicans have at
tempted to justify it by referring to
the war powers Of the nation. But
the war is over and as the occasion
that rendered Unnecessary in their eyes
even has ceased, the taxation itself |
ought to be abandoned. But notwith-
standing all this, there has existed |
and still exists conflicting sentiment
in both parties concerning what ought |
to be done with the Internal Revenue
system, There are Democrats, who
fear to abolish it, lest such action
should be used as a plea for the con-
tinnance of our existing protective
tariff. There are also others, who
think that its abolishment would force
Congress to reform the duties so as |
to substitute a revenue in place Of
a protective tariff. The administra-
ton is supposed to favor a reduction
of the taxation on whisky and beer,
together with modification of the
tariff on the raw materials needed by
manufacturers. Such is the condi |
tion of political sentiment, and this
state of feeling must be considered in
forming an opinion concerning Mr..
Blaine's recommendation. 1t is not
q proposition originating q system Of
taxation. 1t does not enter into the
consideration of what that taxation
shall be; it merely proposes, that if
the money arising from existing
methods and rates is regarded as sur
plus it be divided among the states.
During the past year, the taxes on
beer and whisky amounted to over
ninety one millions of dollars. I'll
this sum we're distributed among the
states in the rates proposed by Mr..
Blaine, il would give New York about
nine millions, Pennsylvania about
seven and a half, Ohio six million,
and Indiana proportionate sum.
These are the doubtful and pivotal
states. Every one of them is consid-
erably in debt and heavily taxed.
It needs, therefore, no great ability to
forecast how Mr.. Blaine's proposition
If it goes no further than to divide
one years receipts of the Internal
Revenue will operate on the voters Of
those states, who are without fixed
ideas concerning the constitutional
powers of the general government.
Indeed it is not unlikely that many |
democrats will regard such distribu-
ton .netsas q proposition to tax, but
as aplali to dispose of what has al
ready accrued from. taxation. |
Some how or 4 other, republican
leaders generally eontrive to base
their measures upon the social inter-
ests Of those whom they desire to at
tract to the support Of them and Mr.. !
Blaine's proposition d at once an ar
guuaent in favor Of Internal revenue
taxation, and an appeal to those who
wish to be freed from oppressive state
taxasion3 to sustain the republican |
In the doubtful and pivotal states
two of which the democracy must |