Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-11-30
THE PLUMED KNIGHTS
New Scheme Tor Dispssing Of Sur
plus Revenue,
As LAID DOWN IN A RECENT LETTER.
He Would Divide the Tax on Spirituous and
Malt Liquors Among the Several
States in Order to Reduce
Taxation.

PHItApslPgyI, November S.-The fhil-
adelphis Press to-day contains q letter
from James G. Blaine to Charles Em
ory Smith, editor OF the Press, stating
Blalnes objections to distribution Of the
surplus revenue OF the Federal govern
ment among the States, and proposing as .
substitute, II the National government no
longer needs tax on spirits, that the en-
tire amount II yields be paid to the States.
Three fatal objections, in Blsine's opinion.
MAKE
The Pennsylvania Propoaitisn
to distribute federal surplus unwise.
First-The utter uncertainty OF the size
OF the redundant revenue. IL may be
ST. OoO, 600 or iloC, ,0oo, 900, aud unless steady.
no State tax could be remitted on account
Of the receipt OF this aid, while sporadic
federal contributions 10 the States would
be wasted, as Was the last distribution OF
federal surplus.
Second-The division OF this surplus
would impose on Senators and Represents.
tiyes divided duty. For tho sake OF their
States they would wish the surplus to be
as large as possible, which would present Q
constant temptation TO withhold appropri-
atoms from objects OF
Really Natioaal Character.
Third-The assumption Of q ntinuing
redundancy OF national revenue is opposed
10 all sound views OF administration. be-
cause il is sure to lead TO extravaganza, cor.
ruption and all manner OF schemes for get
ting rid OF the money. The time Is rapid.
" approaching, however, when the national
revenue, yielding under the present sys'
TEN OF taxation 10000 900 beyond the
amount required for the government eI'
peuses, must be reduced. A strong move
nent Is already on foot for repeal OF the
entire system ot internal revenue, which
receives the support OF protectionists ike
Judge Kelley, aud free traders like Mr..
Cox, of New York. This con- junction Of
opposing views In support OF the abolition
OF tie same tax
Give. y Rnre Opportunity
10 relieve taxation in the States. OF all our
taxes State taxation Is the most opprcs-
sive' 1t Is direc' {; II falls on property with
crushing force. In q few com mmunities IL is
lpss than per cent, and IN most II 10 over
2p,r cent. Why, therefore, should not
the States be permitted to have . tax on
spirits for their own benefit, II the M.
tional government does not need u
Can II be wise to continue Q direct tax
ON anu ~ tuo oahV amV
mand q hurtful luxury, like spirits, TO go
free-a luxury whose taxation oppreses
no one2 Customs revenues the national
government monopolizcs; excise 10 open
in theory TO both State aud national uss
in taxation, but In practice national au.
thorIty alone can
Levy an Excise Tax On whisky.
No State can guard its borders against
whisky from other States, or make an
economical collection OF such taI within
its own reyenue. That Esd.r.l- n.sS>i-i~ -.1-
rect the Secretary OF the Treasury 10 pay
the whole OF IL, less the small expense OF
collie ection, TO the States and Territories IN
proportion 10 their population, and con-
i'nue II permanently as part OF ths reeu-
lar revenue. Such n piAh wonld Eve
revenue from specific taxation wholly 10
the States, and would not depend on
chance surplus, an accidental remainder Ia
the national Treasury. ! would make the
tax on spirituous and mai, liquors per.
manent resource 10 all the States, enabling
them to thereby definitely
RcadIust and Reduce Their Own T"a.
Rtton.
Each State could most wisely use its
share according 10 its own necessities Tbs
total return OF the tax Oh spirituous snd
malt liquors last year was over tsdWo.oo.
sn smount which would tend 10 tncfease
rather than diminish, As each bot saN
that the suppression Of illicit distillsries
was TO its advantage. WITH this revenue
state TAXATION could he remitted, State
debts paid, or II the aid were divided
among the cities and counties. their eK-
penses would be proportionsiely dimin.
ish,d. -,
IN a table annexed 20 this letter Mr.
Blaine shows the share OF the large states
on the ba,is of populrtipn 10 be fs.sJs,DO
for New York 7.t"3 O"f Tor Pennsylvania.
f5..f5.u0o for lirois, and g. 80 for Ohio.
the mailer states receiving In proportion.