Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-06
SENATOR BLAINE ON SURPLUS REEVE.
NUE..

First-The utter uncertainty Of the size
OF the redundant revenue. 1t may be mil
lion or hundred millions, and unless It IL
steady no State tax could be RENTED on ac-
count Of the receipt OF this aid, while spo.
radio federal contributions to the State.
would be wasted, as was the last distribu.
ton Of the federal surplus.
Second-A division Of this surplus would
impose on senators and representatives a
divided duty. For the sake of their States
they would wish the surplus 10 be as large
rs possible, which would present . constant
temptation to withhold appropriations from
objects Of really national character.
Third-The assumption of the continuing
redundancy Of the national revenue is OPP
posed TO all sound views OF administration
because 1t is sure TO lead to extray agance,
corruption and ali manner Of scheues for
getting rid Of the money.
The time is rapidly approaching however
when the national revenue yielding, under
the present system OF taxatian, 500, 900, 900
beyond the amount required for government
expenses, must be reduced. A strong move
meDt Is already on foot for the repeal OF the
entire system Of internal revenue, which
receives the support Of protectionists like
Judge Kelley, and free traders like Cox, OF
New York. This conjunction OF opposing
views in support Of the abolition OF the
same tax. gives rare opportunity to relieve
! taxation IN the States. or all our taxes,
State taxation is the most oppressive. Ii is
direct; it falls on property with crushing
force. In few conn unities is it less than
one per cent. and in most it is over two per
cent. Why? Wherefore should not the
States be permitted to have the tax on spir-
its for their own benefit, il the national gov
eminent does not need it? Can il be wise
to continue the direct tax on property and
at the same Time command hurtful luxury
like spirits to 90 free-a luxury whose tax
alton Expresses no one!
Customs revenues the national govern
ment monopolizes; excise is open in theory
to both s ate and national use in taxation,
but in practice rational authority alone can
levy an excise tax on whisky. No State
can guard its borders against whisky from
other States, or make an economical colec-
ton of such tax within its own boundaries.
The federal machinery for the objection Of
this revenue IL in full operation, and a bill
Of ten lines could direct the secretary o. the
treasury to pay the whole Of it, less the
small expense OF collection, to the Sistes
and Territories in proportion to their popu-
lation, and continue ii permanently as part
Of the regular revenue. Such plan would
give the revenue from specific taxation
wholly TO the State, and would not depend
on chance surplus or accidental remainder
In the national treasury; would make the
tax on spirituous and malt liquors perma-
nent resource to all the States, enabling
them thereby to definitely readjust aud re-
duce their own taxation. Each State could
most wisely use its share according to its
own necessities. The total return tax on
spirtuous and malt liquors last yesr was
ever CSC, 600, 900, an amount which would
tend to increase rather than diminish. as
each State saw that the suppression Of lille
it distilleries was to its advantage. With
this revenue. State taxation could be remit
ted, State debts paid. or IL aid were divided
among cities and counties, their expenses
would be proportionately diminished.
In table annexed to his letter, Mr.. Blaine
shows the share OF the large States on the
basis of population to be $685., 900 for New
York, q, 49a, 900 for Pennsylvania, s5, 2S5, 900
for Illinois, aud S5.59O,OOO for Ohio, the
smaller States receiving in proportion.