The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-08-08

on imports were raised apparently to the high
est possible point. Fifty per cent, aud more,
was added all along the line to the rates fixed
by the Morrill, act of March 3, 1861. 1t was also
found necessary to resort TO vast system OF
internal or domestic taxation. An extensive
list of specific taxes was levied upon various
sources most certain to produce revenue. The
manufacturers Of the country were assessed
hve per cent on their products for the privilege
OF manufacturing and selling. Incomes Of 5000
and oyer, arising in the course OF business and
from investments, were made subject 10 taxa
ton; also incomes from bank dividends, from
bank profits, from railroad companies, from
insurance companies, from canal companies,
from turnpike companies, and from
the salaries OF United States Off
GERS and employees. Brokers were
taxed; brokers in stocks, produce, land war
rants. and substitutes; pawn brokers, CONNER
cial brokers, custom house, and insurance and
cattle brokers. Revenue was raised for the
government in its need from the receipts of
bridges, canals, express companies, ferries, IN
surance companies, lotteries and lottery ticket
dealers, railroads, ships, barges, steamboats,
stage coaches, telegraph companies, theaters,
operas, circuses, museums billiard rooms, and
by specific levies on carriages gold watches,
plate of gold and silver, yachts kept for USE
patent-right dealers, jugglers and lawyers.
IegacieS and SUGGESTIONS were taxed and so
also were gift enterprises, real estate agents
and physicians and surgeons. Distilled spirits
taxed, at one time the former paying s. gallon,
now reduced to ninety cents, and tobacco pay
ing 40 cents pound, now reduced to eight
cents. From all these domestic sources, and
others that might be pointed out, il is shown
from official reports that, from the year 1868
to the year 1880, the government collected rev.
enue TO the amount ofS2, GIL 374, 2636S. In view
of this enormous stream OF revenue pouring
into the treasury during the eighteen years
mentioned, it would seem natural to. right
thinking men, and friends of the people, that
duties on imports would have been reduced
and the fabrics of the loom and spindle which
labor has TO wear, and the productions OF the
furnaces and the iron mills for which the
farmer and mechanic have to pay. would have
been cheapened. But the policies of this gov
eminent on the subject of taxation were not in
the hands of friends of the people at that time,
and no relief was afforded TO labor by
a resort TO domestic excise system.
On the contrary, this system was made the pre-
text for still further bold and fagitious en-
croachments on the part of monopoly and
greed against the rights of those who toll and
bear the heat and burden of the day. As soon
rs the manufacturer felt the touch of the 3 per
cent tax on his products and sales, he at once
cried out and clamored for more protection
against foreign competition, in order that he
might safely raise the price of his goods to the
extent OF the per cent. domestic tax, and thus
get ii back from the pockets OF the consumer
together with the fabulous profits he was al
ready gathering in. The two acts of congress
of 1862 and 1864, by which protective duties
were made to ascend TO a Pixies peak altitude
were demanded on the express ground that
the manufacturer should be compensated for
the amount of his internal tax. Under no cir
cumstances was the manufacturer TO be any
thing out OF pocket for the support of the gov
eminent