National Republican., 1886-12-15
Tax on Sugar and Tobacco.

In order TO obtain the best opinion as to
the solution Of the problem OF the reduction
OF taxes we have addressed a circular letter
to senator's, representatives OF this Congress,
governors Of states, and the presidents OF
about 200 commercial bodies in this coun-
try. The circular is substantially as follows
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN is desrous OF as
Certaining your views upon the question OF re-
moving the customs tax upon sugar, amount
ing TO $4,000 900, and the internal revenue tax
upon tobacco, amounting to s25,0OO,OOO an
nually. Would prefer them for publication;
If you direct otherwise your wishes Will be
strictly complied with.
In either event the information VIII be valu.
able in enabling us TO Judge as to the best inn
mediate plan TO secure the needed reduction of
revenue.
In answer, we have received a number OF
letters, which we shall print from time to
time as we can afford space. Senator Nor
gan, OF Alabama, presents his Views in the
following letter;
EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN My views
which you request me to state upon the qucs.
tion OF removing the customs tax upon sugar
and the internal revenue tax on tobacco" are
much the same IN reference to quite number
Of articles on which the customs tax Is exces-
sive. am for a fair reduction "all along the
line" and more decidedly In favor of removing
what conceive to be unjust Determinations
against the cheaper articles of necessity that
are most largely consumed by people Of limited
means, such as salt, coarse woolens, agrlcultu'
raj and mechanical implements, glass and
crockery ware, house furnishing goods, table
| cutlery, cotton ties, and the like. l am
| for reducing the tax on sugar, so that the peo-
| pie can be enabled to consume more OF this
| necessary and much esteemed food, aud am
also for lessening the necessary expenses OF the
| people in the purchase of other indispensable
frticles OF comfort, so that they may be the
better able to enjoy more liberal supplies OF
sugar, fish, fruit, and butter, with other things
ncedful for better living and medicines needed
for their relief when sick. As no one proposes
| to repeal the tariff laws, and as all seem to ad-
| nit the duty of reforming them and OF reduc.
ing taxes, think the only wise plan is to take
| up the whole list of dutable articles and con-
slider the entire subject together. There must
| be generous spirit OF compromise aud conccs-
sion in any measure for reducing the tariff.
When any favored class is called upon to give
| up advantages already secured they naturally
and Justly expect that others enjoying like al
yantages will also be willing to make patriotic
sacrifices.
am not willing that sugar should be singled
out as the sln-olierlng for the wrongs OF our
present tariff. while the manufacturers of the
many articles of common necessity are nllowe
TO continue to gather wealth by overtaxlng the
poorer classes
Tobacco is not necessity for the support OF
health of the people, and is not, therefore, Ia
be cassed with sugar and salt In tax list
The reduction OF taxes on tobacco has IN
creased the production and the profits OF the
grower. believe that further reduc
tion will be of advantage to that grea
industry, and therefore iavorit Still we mus
not.forget that this Is a war tax, and that the
increasing disbursements for pensions are ir
the nature of war debts. Until the lapse O
time shall have greatly reduced the pension
list, the taxes, at Il proper rate, should bC
maintained on whisky and tobacco.
There is natural fitness in this arrange
ment of war taxes and war debts. since ever!
consumer of fwhisky and tobacco makes hi
own voluntary assessment OF the tax he /
willing to pay. No man can complain Of a pen
sion list who makes his voluntary contribu
ton 10 its payment. Very respectfully,
JoHS I. MORGAN.
Senator WIN. r. Frye, OF Maine, writes;
SENATE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Dec. II
lss6-Dedr Sir; Your letter of the 9th instant
inquiring my views as to the repeal ofthe dut
, | on sugar, is received.
am not now prepared to reply. / am con
sidcring the question whether or not It will b
better to use the duty on sugar for the purp ss
negotiating reciprocal treaties with countre
to the south ofus. ! am, yours respectfully,
WM. r. FRYE
Congressman r. II. Hit, Of Illinois, re
turns the circular with memorandum
"For removing the customs tax on suga
and against removing tax on tobacco"