The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-02-08

tax on distilled spirits is an element in the
cost of his elixer. 1t is not from such as
he that the demand for the repeal of the in
ternal revenue taxes comes. General Grant,
inveterate smoker though he be, has never
thought to inquire, we venture to say, what
proportion Of the tax on tobacco he is pay
ing. Has it ever occurred to any reader of
TIE TRIBUNE to inveigh against the taxes
because a one cent stamp is an element in
the cost of bottle of somebody's cough
sirup?
But if the taxes are not burden to the
consumer and the consumer has not de-
manded their reduction, whence proceeds
this anxiety on the part of some of our Con-
gressmen to NEEDLE with them? That is
not such hard question to answer as may
at first sight appear.
In the first place it is the result of the
pressure which has been brought to bear
upon them by a lobby manipulated in the
interest of those who would be benefited by
the reduction or repeal of those taxes. The
distillers, for example, would profit to the
extent of some S80,00O,0OO-the amount of
taxes due on whisky now in bond-to say
nothing Of the additional value age gives to
whisky. The tobacco manufacturers would
benefit in the same way, and to the extent
of many millions more. The patent nled-
of the amount now paid for stamps, for it is
absurd to suppose that they would reduce
to twenty-four cents the price of bottle of
medicine which now sells at twenty-five
cents, simply because it was no longer neces-
sary to affix one cent stamp to it. The
match manufacturers-but the match man
ufactureTs don't want the tax reduced, since
theirs is the only monopoly that wouldn't
he benefited thereby The stamp tax, in
fact, operates as a protection in their case,
since by buying stamps in large quantities
they get the benefit of heavy discount,
Of which the small manufacturers are, of
course, deprived. So far as the tax on matches
I Is concerned, indeed we should for this very
4 reason be glad to see ii abolished altogether.
/ Then, there are the national banlls-they
are clamorIng for the removal of the tax on
deposits, and they can well afford to main
tain q costly lobby.s The repeal of this tax
would add Just so much to their profits
! profits obtained by loaning these same de-
posts in Wall Street at tremendous rates of
| interest 1t is the distillers, tobacco manu-
lactuTeTs, the patent medicine proprietors
and the national banks that are exerting
this pressure upon Congress, and it is to di-
vert attention from the real source of the
agitation that the demand for the tax reduc-
ton is attributed to the general public.
In the second place, the disposition which
some OF our Congressman manifest to NEEDLE
with the taxes proceeds far, at least, as the
/ prOtectiOnists in both Houses are concerned
from the fear that unless they are reduced
the tariff Will he reduced. Whether the
apprehension is or is not well founded, it is
doubtful whether any permanent advantage
can be gained by recourse to such 4 remedy
In the third place, some of our Congress
men-those, at least, of Democratic alIilia-
tiOns-are inclined to NEEDLE with the taxes
] VIC IN trim ha Al
ton of the official patronage connected
with the internal revenue system. Of the
three motives, this is certainly the most
selfish and sordid.
From this exposition of the influences
which are at work to effect a reduction of
the internal revenue taxes it must be clear
to our readers that whatever else it may be
il is not the public interest which the advo-
Gates Of that reduction have at heart Yet,
ii is not because of the benefits which it
would confer upon special interests that we
are opposed to the adjustment of the inter
nal revenue system, but on account of
the downright injury which 1T would work
to public interests. The Government can
not afford to relinquish any portion of its
revenues. 1t is still in debt to the bond
holder and the soldier The honor Of the
Nation requires that these obligations
should be discharged to the last dollar.
When that has been done, and not until
then, will Congress be justified in cutting
down the revenues. That is sound business
doctrine, and it is true public policy.
4 Sacred Trust.
On the 3lst Of May, 1885, according to
the terms of the present law, the Soldiers
Orphans Schools of Pennsylvania will close
by limitation. On that date, should the
law not be repealed, nearly twelve hundred
childred under the age of sixteen will be
turned adrift in the world, with their edu-
cation but partly finished and in no condi-
ton to enter upon hand-to- hand struggle
with poverty. To subject them to such a
fate would be clearly an act Of gross injus-