New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-04
APPROPRIATIONS And TAXES.

The salary grab. and the scandalously big
River and Iarbor bill, with other appropna-
tons to fit. doomed the last Republican Con-
press TO defeat. 1t is good time TO remem-
Der that the American people, while they
despise stupid nggardliness in Government
do also angrily condemn wastefulness and I'M
reasonable extravaganza. The appropriations
desired bv various interests this year cannot
all be granted with safety All together they
make an aggregate far beyond the present
revenue of the Government But the people
believe that the taxes which they pay can be
and ought to be reduced, and it will not be
safe 10 spend all the money in sight, and then
give that as "a reason for refusing to take OH
any of the taxes which the people feel
For there are taxes which the people do feel,
and which a large number of them want re-
duced. These are not, let it be distinctly
understood, the tariff duties about which inc
Free Trader or tariff reformer is continually
prating. lie who will go among the people
and talk with them, and learn what MIR. Lin
coins "plain citizens" think about their bur
dens. will discover that they are not grumbling
about the prices of woollen cloths, or KNIT
goods or carpets. or steel tools, or cutlery, or
glass table ware, or boots and shoes whlch
are all lower than ever before and much lower
than they were until protective duties had
developed home manufacture. About these
things the hrelings of party argue but the plain
people never think of them and care nothing
abont them. Nevertheless, there are taxes
which they feel and which many want reduced
II is important for Congressman to know
what these taxes are. Out OF thousands oil
letters on the subject, large majority specify
the tax on sugar as one which the people 40
feel. and which they want reduced. 1t amounts
to more than $50, 200 yearly, and the
people know it. That was the fact before the
Sugar Trust began its operations and the pop
Mar feeling is naturally all the stronger since
that combination has put up prices and eXtorted
SEQ 600. 900 yearly or more from consumers
in addition 10 previous exactions. livery lam
ilv buys sugar and every citizen IS aware that
the price is enhanced by the duty was enhanced
before the Sugar Trust existed, and i stlll
more burdensome since. 1t would he wise iOi
Congress not TO adopt any course which VIII
leave it without power to reduce these duties.
It is 70 some extent a mistaken and unrea-
sonahe feeling, but yet general one that the
taxes on tobacco ought to be reduced. The
retail prices of small quantities have come TO
be 50 far independent of the taxes, or even OF
the cost of the materials, that II may be doubt
ed whether the consumers would gam 10y re-
peal Of these taxes nearly as much as they sup
nose. But that is a matter for them to settle,
and if they have not the sense or the DISPOSE
ton to force reduction III prices from man
ufactnrers their loss Will then be due 20 their
own neglect The Government collects III
taxes of that kind about $50, 000. 600 which
il does not need, and there are multitudes OF
Door people who feel that tax, and desire tc
have il removed.
These are samples OF taxes which are actually
felt. 1t would crafty large bodies OF voters
10 have them removed or reduced. Il would
anger large bodies OF voters to have them re-
tanned without change because Congress pre-
fcrs TO make appropriations larger than usual.
The expectations raised by both parties during
the last National campaign cannot properly be
disrogarded Somewhere the appropriations
contemplated for various interests Will have to
be cut down II will be wise for members OF
the House and Senate to stick closely to the
advice OF the committees which have the whole
subject under consideration and to reject firm
" appropriations which those committees do
not recommend as safe.