The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-26
THE AMERICAN FETCH.

If a stranger to our fiscal system
were to form his opinion of the sources
of revenue for the federal government
from the discussions in congress and
the papers and from his intercourse
with our people, he would conclude that
there was but one source, the tariff,
and he could be no more surprised than
would be nine out Of ten Of our ordi-
nariIy well-informed citizens to learn
that imposts furnish but little over
third of the revenues. Why this
is so is not difficult to learn or under
stand. One cause is the intimate as
ISOLATION of tariffs with business and
its profits. So intricate are the rela-
tions of. our industries that any change
In taxation of imports is felt injuri-
ously in every branch. For this rea-
son the whole business world is made
uneasy whenever there is agitation of
tariff change. Another reason is in the
abuse of the system which makes rev.
enue subordinate to the special privi-
lege of those who are able to secure
advantages by it. Between these con-
ditions and the prominence given by
the support or opposition Of contending
political parties, we find the reason why
this one-third supply of revenue alb
serbs general attention to a degree
that makes it appear to be the sole
source.
a ma &c n he
great business interests Of the country,
kept continually in a state of uneasi-
ness, should be contented with a sys-
tenn or method Of taxation that thus in
jures them, and should be so prone to
accept it as some divinely established
order which, like the ills Of life, has
to be endured. This is the stranger
when the same element is surrounded
with other methods of getting revenue
that work out their ends without caus-
ing them the slightest concern or dis
turbing in any perceptible measure
their daily operations. The present sit
uation presents condition that should
cause serious reflection upon methods
of taxation by men of affairs who feel
keenly the hardships of those now in
vogue. We invite their attention to two
sPectacles. In Washington a commit
tee on ways and means will shortly
hold series of meetings to which they
have invited representatives Of sundry
producing industries engaging less than
sixth of ALI gainful occupations, to
come and advise with them as to the
measure Of taxation Of imports that
will be beneficial to them in their pur-
suits. The committee contemplate and
these representatives will all demand
an increase in taxation, and the sin
gular spectacle is presented of a con-
gressional body seeking reasons fol-
such increase in a country where de-
crease of taxation is esteemed public
virtue and private benefit.
On the other hand we have the spec.
tacle Of the advisory body Of our city
government meeting to consider the es
innate of taxation for the ensuing
year. No delegation Of business mer
appeared before them urging increase
or decrease of taxation, and no one OF
them, whether a maker or seller OF
things, feels 1t essential that he change
in any degree the course Of his deal.
ings because of this impending loca
taxation. No business stops Or checks
its movement, no man is laid off, ne
wage is diminished And yet this loca
. body will levy a tax that amounts t.
five times as much for each soul in the
municipality as would the amount de.
rived from tariff taxation IL extended
in direct tax as required by the con
stitution. The tariff yields about $780,.
100000. according to the secretary's es-
innate, or about 81 a head, while the
council Ievies 1890, 600, or near.
ly 50 head The state and it.
subdivisions levy taxes amounting
TO over s12,0oo,0oO annually, ant
yet all this immense sum Is levied ant
collected without any arrangement II