The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-03-30

column.
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How shall IL Re Deaes-They Are Getting
Their Eye. Open.
TARBoRo, n. c., March l6, '93
DEAR BROTHER BUTLER: Iencloss
very strong argument for the .'1n
come Taxi from the n. Y. World
You might reproduce it in THE Car.
cAsIAN. The World now sees that q
reduction of the tariff TO revenue
basis will result in an insufficient
fund 10 meet current governments
expenses. The Income tax is what
is needed. together with a radical
reform in finance.
JAS. B. LLoYn.
AN NINCoME TAX.
Ii Is not too soon for Democratic
statesmen to consider the sources
from which a Democratic admins
tration must derive sufficient revenue
to meet the largely increased expen-
ditures of the Government.
1t is proposed to reduce the tariff
to a revenue basis, which will per
haps increase the receipts from cer-
tain imports on which this reduction
is made by increasing the importa
tions of the articles thus affected
But it is also proposed to place a
number of articles on the free list
which now pay duty, and the increas-
ed revenue which the Treasury will
derive from the former source may
be more than offset by its failure to
derive any revenue whatever from
the enlarged free list.
1t may be argued that Mr.. Cleye-
lands administration will cut down
expenditures. But it proposes also
to cut down taxation and thereby re-
duce receipts, and the fact that Mr..
Harrison's administration spent a
cash balance left by Mr.. Cleveland
of $1S7, 200, 900 in addition to the cur
rent revenues shows that a very dras-
tic reduction must be made in order
to bring our expenses within our pre-
sent receipts. 1t is very we'll to
promise economy and practice it and
to rail against extravaganza, but il
should not be forgotten that this is a
costly Government at best, and the
cost of maintaining it, even upon
the most economical basis, is increas-
ing..every year.
In reducing taxes in one direction
therefore. we must increase them il
another, or, what is the same thing
impose them on something not hith
erto subjected to taxation at all.
This is the problem which the
Congress that assemblies under Mr.
| CleveIand's administration mus
solve. There is no way to avoid it
and we should familiarize ourselves
with the issue before it is precipita
ted and finds US unprepared to NEE
it.
The best solution that we can SCI
is the establishment Of graded in
come tax. We dare not, should W
be so unjust as to desire it, increas
the burden already weighing heavil.
on the agricultural classes. We dar
not impose more on labor. We must
thsrefore, place it where it reall
should properly fall, on the class tina
can best bear ton the wealthy.
i 1t is this class that has reaped tn
greatest gains from the exactions s
long and patiently borne by agricul
ture and by mechanical labor. 1t hs
been singularly exempt from every
thing like oppression, while othe
interests have groaned under the
burdens. 1t has grown more an
more powerful as its accumulation
, have increased, and the time has ce
tainly come to demand of it a pr
|, portionate contribution to support
, government that has protected 1t AT
fostered it as a favorite. There
no valid argument against the pr
,, position; there are many argumen
!. in favor of it.