Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-15
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 10. 1873
The Internal Taxes

abolishing all internal taxes is growing.
We remember when even In the states
south OF Virginia there seemed to be no
symnathy whatever with the iobacco.grow.
Ing states In re gard 10 the tax upon their
money.crop. moi so nov. We find. for
instance, that in Georgia the Atlanta Con-
sffutioa talks rs follows:
.In The course OF his message the Presi-
don't, referring 10 the necessity OF reducing
The surplus revenue, says: 1t has been
the policy Of the Government to collect
the principal par OF its revenues by tax
uron imports. aud 10 change in tbs p0icy
Is desirable This IL good Democratic
doctrine, brit the fact remains that an i'm
mensc sum OF mon Is collected from the
sople annually by means OF the internal
revenue tax, which i war measure. pure
and simple Not only Is the law under
which this operates war measure. but u
is the medium Of oppression. injustice, and
even murder"
alt l. a law. too. which stands In the way
OF tariff reduction. I )r the nearer the duties
on imports are brought 20 revenue btsis
The larger will be the surplus in the Trea'
sury with the internal revenue still In
operation
That seems to us 10 be sound doctrine.
1t is not the highest tariff that yields the
most revenue. A revenue tariff and high
protective tariff are not by any means the
same thing. A prohibitory tariff yields no
revenue. The golden mem is tariff for
revenue incidentally protective.
This beng so, the Democrats North and
South ought TO unite TO secure the abolition
OF all internal taxes. The MORRISON men,
too. ought to be willing to aid the RANDALL
men In this good work. 1t will not do to
say THAI Mr.. RANDALL desires to get rid OF
internal taxes bee ,use he wishes to create
necessity for higher tariff. To say thl'
Is 10 say what implies that the higher the
tariff the greater the reyenue-a doctrine
which, as we have already said, is by no
means the accepted teaching OF sound
writers on polticO- economical subjects.
The Augusta (Ga.) ConStitusionaliSt says
on the subject of internal taxes what here
follows:
"Tbe editor OF the Nashville Union. at
first blush, seemed TO endorse the Presi-
Upon second, sober reflection he regrets
that no recommendation was made as to the
jnternslreyenue .ysiem. We presume that
MIR. Cleveland, like Mr.. Manning, favors the
continuation Of that war tax, and vet the
Democratic platform declared for its re-
peal or appli alton b relieving war bur-
deDs.
This internal revenue Is essentially
war measure, and should not hold any
sacred place exempt from repeal any more
than the customs duties.
- repeal OF the internal revenue, in
whole or part, would simplify surplus re-
duction and compel tariff revision.
"The Union adds There is n well-nigh
universal sentiment in the sections OF the
country where il bears the heaviest for us
'repeal-eXcept with the whiskey m0nopo-
lists, whose Influence seems % be all-pow-
erfri al Washington. The cry OF free whs
key ~ not applicable, and il proceeds most
~ from the thTOlts OF the whiskey mo-
nopois's who make money out OF the
temperance people who give heed to
this hypocritical crv. Let the Federal Gov
eminent wash its hands Of this uudemO-
cratic way OF raising revenues TO deiriy the
expenses Of that Government, aud the
States will devise plan that will hush the
now using il for purpose. The state /,
entitled to this revenue, aud there Is no
trouble about being able to iniugurlte a
plan TO reach II, and that Will give the
States the full benefit OF IL.
"Tbe mountain OF Georgia. Ala.
bama, Tonnes,ea, North and South Caro-
lima, and Virginia are cllmOrouS for re-
peal.
"Can Dir. Cleveland or any other Demo.
cfat enter tue next presidential race hope
fully with an endorsement Of internal
revenue tayalioDi"
II any friend OF the tax upon tobacco ant
iruitbrandles be the Democratic candidate
for President OF the United States in 1883
he will have rough road TO travel in th'
tobacco. growing States and I'll, States max
ing frmt.brandies; aud he will carry tloS'
States only because his opponent VIII pro
baby be more thoroughgoing advocate o
internal taxes than himself, or because he |
Democrat. even II he is poor one. TIT
northern Democrats are-sOme OF them
unsound enough upon this question OF con
tinuing the internal war.taXes, but tn
Republicans are still worse. The northcr
Democrats vino favor such taxes do it o
principle. The Republicans are In favor @
keeping up these taxes, We fear. becaus
they are annoying and costly to the peOpl
OF certain southern States.
ANYHOW, we advise all candidates 70
President to ponder this subject well.