The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-24
Internal Taxes.


TO the abolition Of the internaErevenue
denartmcnt. Whoever win examine the
record OF the votes taken In Congress du-
ring the last five years, whenever PROPOSE
lions for a mere reduction OF these taxes
have come up for final action, Will per
ceiye at once that the reductions were made
NV the votes Of Democratic congressman re-
enforced by few Republicans. The votes
taken In the two houses OF the last Con-
gress this very year testify to the truth OF
the statement. Let us repeat once more
tina, ON the 10th OF February last, In the
limited States Senate, the vote on the mo-
fion 10 reduce the tax on tobacco from 10
10 8 cents per pound stood-ayes, ~
noes. "a, or the ayes II were Democrats.
or the noes only were Democrats. so
that the Democratic vote was--ayes, Il ;
noes. 4: whilst the Republican vote lin
Guiding General MAHoSE's) was ayes. 8;
noes. 90. The Democrats voted more than
to in favor OF the reduction. The Re-
publicans voted more than to / against
reduction.
But who arc the Republicans who voted
with the Democrats upon this question
Is any one Of them prominent enough TO be
p,t I'D next year as a candidate for Presi'
dent OF the United Statesy Here is the list
Judge for yourselves. The names are
Messrs. ALpRIcH, OF Rhode Island; Con-
GER, OF Michigan; KELLOGG, OF Louisiana +;
MILLER, OF New York; MITCHELL, OF
PENNSYLVANIA: SAWYER, OF Wisconsin
VAN WICK, OF Nebraska; PLAT, OF Con-
necticut; and MALONE. OF Virginia. 1t
will be seen that there Is here the name OF
no prominent Republican. EDMUNDs, the
present president pro tenn. Of the Senate,
and conspicuous candidate for President
OF the United States, is not recorded
in favor OF the reduction OF the
tax upon the only "mOney-article !"
which the Virginia planters raise. Nor
is HAwLEY. OF Connecticut. Nor Is Lo-
GAN, OF Rhinestone Of the men whose
names General MALONE hears so often IN
connection with the next Republican nomi-
nation for President of the United States.
Nor Is FRYE nor HALE, OF Maine-repre-
sentatives OF Mr.. BLAINE, another one OF
the men whose name General MALONE
hears as he hears LOGAN's. Nor HoAR nor
Dawes. OF Massachusetts,. Nor FERRY, Of
Michigan. Nor WINDOW, OF Minnesota.
Nor SHERMAN, OF Ohio. Nor ANTHONY, Of
Rhode Island. The representative men Of
the Republican party opposed even re-
ductlon OF the tax on tobacco and cigars.
OF course they would scout the proposition
to do away with the tax altogether.
An almost solid Democratic vote was
cast in the Senate, as stated above. for the
reduction OF the tax on tobacco TO eight
cents per pound. The two senators from
Texas, one from Arkansas, and one from
Missouri, made up the entire opposition so
far as the Democrats were concerned.
In general terms, therefore, it may be
stated that the Democrats as party voted
TO abolish the tax on tobacco. The Re-
publicans as body voted to retain the tax
on tobacco.
AS so large majority Of the Democrats
of the Senate voted in favor Of reducing
the tax on tobacco, il follows that to the
Democratic party, II to either, the planters
must look If they expect and desire relief
from this odious war-tax. AS so large q
majority Of the Republicans Of the Senate
voted in favor of continuing the tax OF six
teen cents per pound on tobacco, it follows
that II would be sheer stupidity to expect
relief at the hands OF the Republican party
from the whole of that abominable tax.
They are unwilling to remove half Of it.
Folly itself could not do worse than to
look to them to abolish the whole OF it.
The National Conventions Of the two
great parties will meet within the next
nine or ten months. The day is at hand
almost upon us. Those Conventions will
lay down platforms. Each will declare its
purpose as to the internal taxes. The Re-
publican Convention will just as certainly
as IL shall meet come out in favor Of con.
tinuing the tax upon tobacco and liquors,
and consequently in favor OF having the
South oyerrun with spies, informers, and
electioneerers. all paid by the Federal Gov
eminent, but all working for the success Of
the Republican party. That party has nc
idea Of surrendering its hold upon the
internal-revenue offices. The Democratic
National Convention, like the Republican
Convention, will be controlled by ma
iority OF Its members. Its platform viii
be made to suit that majority. II the Dem
ocrats In the United States Senate repre-
sent truly the Democrats In the seyera
States, il is a clear case that IL Is to til,
Democratic National Convention, and no
to the Republican, that the voters of III,
country will have TO look for relief from
taxes which ought long ago to have beer
abolished.
General MALONE and his party will sen,
delegates to the next Republican Nations
Convention. That Convention will declar
for continuance of the internal-revenu
bureau. 1t will nominate candidate
pledged to that measure. And Genera
MALONE aud bis party will thus be com
PEELED in good faith TO oppose the abolition
Of all internal taxes. Their abstract opin
ions will 20 for nothing. Their votes wi
be cast for President pledged to veto sue
law.
The tobacco-planters Of Virginia ougl
to begin their work this year If they wis
to induce Virginia to vote next year for
party that will root cut forever the tax o
tobacco. 1t will be too late next year t
remedy the wrong. II YOU elect Repul
lican Legislature in 1888, you will in efieC
give your votes in favor OF the election @
Republican President and Republica