New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-12
METHODS OF TAXATION.

Cert,inly the burdens of taxation ought to be
red,ced But what are the burdens Of tax
ation7 How many people are there who nave
ever felt them or can tell what they afeI rer-
baos it might be profitable for members OF Con-
gress and Others to get out OF the common rut
of tboughtless stalking things for granted
and TO consider for minute what are the bur-
dens of taxation which ought to be removed
Certain people, having more money than they
need. please TO buy whiskey, beer, cigars and
tobacco In the price, they pay tax winch
amounted last year to 1888, 4l9,317. 1t is safe
to say that no man of all the millions who have
houcht these articles during the past year was
aware that he was hearing burden. Nor can
ANYBODY say how much cheaper, If any, these
articles would be to retail buyers were the tax
entirely removed. 4 large part of the differ
ence in cost il is certain, would be absorbed by
| the retail sellers, and added TO their profits.
| But the money, when collected, does not go out
| Of existence or out of the country Ii is dis
| tr;hnted again. each week or each month, In
having the expenses OF Governmental buying
m it's bonds, thus stopping forever part OF
| the burden now borne. Last year more than
the whole an cunt taken from consumers OF
liouors and tobacco was expended in redeeming
|
fax paid really diminished the burden to he
borae 10y the people to the extent OF $4.65o'ooo
yearly for all time to come. All the people, rich
and poor, east End west, get the benefit. The
people who want to use liquors and tobacco
upconsciOusly contribute, partly to their own
permanent benefit-for they form large por-
| ton of the whole peope-and partly to the
| permanent benefit of Others III the tax were
removed they might consume more liquor and
more tobacco, but would put away no part OF
| the cost for their own good or that of the
| country.
Then there is the duty on manufactured
| goods, which those pay who consume foreign
products. About $90,0O0,000 was collected
last wear from consumers of foreign iror and
steel, wool and woolens, cotton and silk goods
In almost every branch cheaper but equally
| serviceable articles of domestic make can be
had. if the consumers prefer. In some cases the
consumer chooses the foreign prOduct as a
material to mix with OTTER of home production,
because it has especial utility; in other cases
! be nrefers TO pay the tax in order TO have a
foreign rather than a domestic product In
either case no home product is necessarily
enhanced in price by the duty; that happens
only where articles of similar character and cost
are sought for similar uses, and such cases en-
brace but part of the duty-paying articles.
But here is q tax, on the face OF 1t abont
$50, 600, 900, and including enhancement IN
cost of some domestic products, somewhat
larger sum, winch we pay, for whatf We sup
mort the Government and pay debt with 1T, and
we also sustain and stimulate important man
ufactures, which give to millions of workers
better wages than they could get in any other
country.
The money that goes into the Treasury and
comes out again, ike the revenue from the
whiskey tax, is contributed by those who use
foreign products, and used for the benefit OF
all. They get part of the benefit, and AL
other people part. But the indirect beneh
secured by building up great industries goes
to all the people in the end. For all finally gel
cheaper goods because the home manufactures
are able to attain a vigorous development
There is no doubt that the country has to heal
some burden for this purpose burden t.
some extent greater than II the same revenue
should be raised by taxes on whiskey. But ]
also gets an enormous benefit which does not
arise from any internal tax.
, Which would be the better. to raise part o
, the revenue as we do now, in such mode q
to stimulate and build up home indus.ries, or Il
, raise two thirds more revenue from liquors an'
tobacco, and let manufactures OF iron, wool
cotton and silk 20 down unless they eau sus