The National tribune., 1886-07-01
.orPRnssryE TAXATION.

~~~~~N~
taxation" there ought to be, occasionally at
least, an instance of where taxation is OPP
pressive. Just for appearance sake man
ought TO be shown up occasionally who is
oppressively taxed Ii would give agreeable
variety to point out once in a while the
direction in which taxes could be lowered to
the great gain Of the people.
Is anybody oppressed" by the tax on
whisky? Is anybody grooming because of
the burden Of taxation resting on beerp Do
we hear murmurs Of discomfort because the
onerous duty on tobacco Of eight cents
pound diminishes the.poor mans comforts?
So far we do not recall a single audible
grumble in regard TO these imposts. No
body, except the distillers and brewers, has
shown the slightest interest in the matter of
reduction. Those who take the trouble to
express any opinion on the matter usually
say that the tax is not nearly high enough,
that il would be better for all concerned if
ii were at least doubled.
Evidently nobody is suffering from OPP
preston by the internal revenue taxes
In the other source Of public revenue-the
customs duties-there is such wide diver
sity Of opinion that we shall find il somewhat
more difficult to arrive at decisive results.
The gentlemen who talk the loudest about
the oppressive taxation of the tariff always
have strong mental reservations when it
comes to articles in which their section has
an interest. For example, we had one Of
the leading Free Traders of the country
South Carolinian, with the historic name
of Trenholm-before Congress last Winter,
advocating raising the duty on rice. OF
course he is quite certain that all customs
duties-except those on rice, lOng-staple
cotton and phosphates, which are the main
products Of his State-are quite onerous and
oppressive. On the other hand, the Ken
lucky Free Traders are quite sure that all
forms of tariff imposts are oppressive
except those on tobacco. hemp and foreign
spirits. They were very anxious last Win
ter to have the tariff on tobacco made so
oppressive" as TO shut out all importations
from Sumatra, which were an injury to the
marketing Of one of their staples
The people Of Louisiana are sure, beyond
a possible doubt, that the duty on sugar is
not a burden but blessing TO the country.
The farmers of Ohio Texas and the West and
Southwest generally have no manner OF
doubt that whatever else is done, the duty
on wool should be maintained, if not in
creased. So we could 20 on through the
entire tariff schedule.
Every section has an abundance Of good
reasons TO prove that the portion of the
tariff which specially benefits it cannot be
oppressive" TO any other locality.
This demonstrates the insincerity and
demagogism Of the whole clamor No man,
no matter how much he may shirk il, really
wants reduction Of taxation If that reduc-
ton IN 10 affect that portion Of the system
which benefits himself and his friends
They are like the farmer who was in favor
Of the Maine liquor law, but agin its en-
forcement"
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE has no hesita-
ton about defining its position. II is against
every form Of curtailment of the National
revenues until every just demand of the
soldier is satisfied until every disabled vet
eran is pensioned, every bounty has beer
honestly equalized, all arrears of pension,
paid, all prisOnersof war given such an allow.
ance as they richly deserve, and, in short
every debt Of the Government to It's savior
honestly discharged.
No present or possible form Of taxation
can begin to sit so oppressiyely on so great :
number Of people as does the failure Of th'
Government TO fulfill its contracts and rendel
exact justice TO those who gave it every
fhfng