Morning journal and courier., 1883-12-01
mR, BLAINE's ELAN

In letter to the Philadelphia Press Mr. Blaine states his plan for distributing the surplus revenue of the government. It is, in brief, to have the general government dis tribute the proceeds of the internal tax on spirits among the several States, upon the basis of population. This tax yielded last year $S6, 900, 900, and MT. Blaine appends to his letter table showing the amount each State would receive. Connecticut's share would be $1 JOSS, 900.
 This scheme has some attractive things about it. The taxpayers in the States would be glad to have their burden frightened by the distribution, and MT. Blaine's idea that 1t is "Wiser to tax whisky than to tax farms and homesteads and shops" is pleasing. But his plan will probably Rot meet with enough favor to secure it's adoption, and judging from present indications the opinion of the press and of public men will be largely against it. A number of prominent members of Congress have already been interviewed about the matter. No Republican member, as far as we have seen, has expressed approval of the plan, and the Democrats are decidedly against it. Randolph Tucker of Virginia says: "Any such plan is unconstitutional. It strikes at tho very essence of the independ- snce of the States. Is the federal government a mere tax-gathering machine, or are the States to draw their support from the na- tionsl treasury? Ths whole idea is prepos- tsrous. Even was it legal, the people would not adopt it. What justice is there in hay ing distiliery in Illinois to pay the expenses Of Vermont? Indirect taxes are always most burdensoms, and the people do not wish to increase further the power of ths national administration over the States" Judge Hol- man, the great objsctcr, is equally positive. "The plan is undesirable and undemocratie, he declares, and continues: "Our whole par ty is against such schemes. The government has no right to collect greater tax than its necessities demand. vast surplus Is 8 source of corruption. The place for the peoples money is in their pockets. Some of the States are out of dsbs, and, if they are not, why should my State be taxed to pay other peoples obligations. Money loses weight very rapidly in being collected and paid out The officeholders bensdtted, and no one else. I do not want the whisky tax removed. Let it remain. But there are legal ana proper ways Lo reouc9 tne sdrplaS We can tighten the tariff on wood and coal, cut of half of that on sugar and on the coarser fabrics that the people wear. That is the way to tighten burdens. Then the pub lio land laws ought to be modified. We got $o, ,ooO, 900 from the sale of iand at .25 an acre last year I shall introduce a bill to prohibit any more salss of public land. I would have it reserved for settlers and let them earn it by occupancy. As it is, for eiRners by conspiracy are getting possession of the best part of the public domain. We want te keep tho surplus down to the lowest point but the way to do it is to Tighten he srievous taxes and to hunt around for 8 way to dispose of it."
 But whether MT. Bisine's plan finds favor or not, it will lead to general discussion of the matter which it deals with, and so do some good. We think that this discussion will make plain the fact that it is bstter to reduce taxes than to keep piling up surplus and inventing ways to get rid of it.