New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-20
THE INCOME TAN.

The country is going to have some experience
Of the income tax. though it may not he for
long II President Cleveland calls the new Con
crcss together shortly after March H. as he III
deotcs he NAV. one Of the first things likely 10
be done is the passage OF Dill repeating '"e
income tax. whether any other part oi Inc ac'
Of 1894 or not In view of the extensive lltiga-
ton and expense which this fax Will Involve
and the fact that il has formed no part OF any
strictly Democratic line of policy, the President
may wisely conclude 10 permit its repeal without
objection But meanwhile the attempt to correct
thc vcxation and expense and the costly litiga-
tion will 90 on ard the people will get DEFINITE
idea of one Of the methods by which the Demo-
Popusts have proposed to get ria OF ou''es io'
the defence Of home Industries.
Long ago it was pointed out by Mr.. David A.
Wells. who Is entitled to high consideration at
the hands Of Democrats. that an increased tax
on beer would yield. without any additional ex-
pensc whatever for collection. a revenue larger
than any one had imagined the income tax
would yield Neither the one nor the other was
necessary. a proper tariff on imports would
yield enough revenue without either. But the
blunder. which will cost the Democrats heavily
in the future. Is that they refused, for purely
have been economical and easy Of collection, and
which would not have added a cent 10 the cost
If beer to consumers. and preferred sectional
warfare against the property and investments
Of the richer States With the great uncertainty
whether the income tax would be sustained by
the courts. aud therefore whether it would yield
ANYTHING the choice was as foolish as party
could make.
II would be wise step even now for the
Democrats in Congress. before their power or
legislation passes away. 10 provide the addi-
tional taxation which the Treasury demonsrably
needs The deficit il now 81 large that, as
Democratic leaders have been saying Ia each
other at Washington il would be- Il lasting dis
grace for Il party to leave the Government with
out better provision for lis necessities. Bui the
same hopeless division of interests and pIr-
noses which has 50 completely discrcdiied the
Democratic party already will probably prevent
any useful action. The Southern and western
mon will clamor ~ loudly ~ before for the sec
tional income tax The Eastern and Northern
Democrats will object. for partisan reasons, To
any measure which may lessen their hold on
the saloons The confession that the act of l>ol
WAS an csrcsous blunder. ~ a bill 10 raise ade-
ouaie revenue Is one which Democratic leaders
do no, Ike To make. For men Of certain size
il 4, always easier to stick to II bundcr than TO
acknowledge H.
II this session falls 20 provide additional rcve-
nue.. and to authorize issues Il bonds. II viii
require extraordinary daring In the President,
and one might almost say an extreme lack ot
patrlotic prudence. 10 face the next ten months
without further legislation He would he abun-
dainty sustained by business men of all parties
n he should decide 10 call an extra session with
the least possible delay. II IL not forgotten that
the sugar duty and the whiskey tax may both
be- expected 10 yield n somewhat Increased rcve-
M. during the year, and meanwhile the duties
on woollons are now adding a little 10 the Gus
toms receipts But since January |, with these
new duties yielding more than they can be ex-
pcc,ed 10 hereafter, the deficit OF revenue has
been 80 JoOoOO- or about 100000 per day-and
all the Increase that can with any reason he cN-
peccd would not suffice Ia I'll up a gap so wide.
As for the income tax. no one expects that 1t
will yield any thing substantial TO the Treasury
for months tn cone even II II II sustained by
tho courts