The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-11
Reduction of Taxation.

information on the subject: and in the
light of such facts as are presented In
response to this the matter will be acte1
upon next fall. There is now a surplus
in the treasury. That surplus Is likely
to Increase and II will be the duty Of
the representatives OF the people to con-
slider what portion of existing taxes can
be reduced or repealed with the greatest
benefit to the people
The task is one that should be ap-
preached with caution and elaboration.
We shall have need CT all the surplus
for some months to come In exchang-
ing 4 per cent. bonds for the new per
cents, the difference Is paid In cash on
the basis of their computed present
worth. This saves future interest pay
charge 1t will absorb a good many mil
lions before all the exchanges desired
I. are completed. Even then we should
approach any revenue changes with DIFF
fidence. The country saw in 1898 what
could be done by rashness and ignor-
ance. Even now 1t Is impossible to es-
innate accurately in advance the effect
OF any given legislation. Unexpected
trade activity has made the nations in
come for the year larger by s25. 900. 900
than the treasury's estimates. An I'M
favorable year might produce defici.
congress must needs be prudent.
1t is probable that at least $50. 900, 900
a year. possibly more, may be dispensed
with Where shall the reductions be
made? 1t may be considered settled
that no considerable changes, probably
none at all, will be made In the tariff.
The country wishes to leave we'll enough
alone. Men of all shades of difference
on the tariff are agreed that any duty.
high or low. is better than one subject
to frequent fluctuations. The plea OF
every business man is to let the tariff
alone; and we believe that congress will
comply with It.
The natural point of attack in reduc-
ing the surplus is the war revenue tax.
1t is war measure. passed for a spe-
cial purpose, and 1t is the general feel
ing that the taxes which IL imposes
should be the first to disappear. Already
the various interests affected by it are
arguing their right TO immunity: and
the appeal OF some OF them should be
heard. The most annoying taxes and
those which give the greatest incon-
venience to the greatest number should
be the first TO go. Those which are paid
by large enterprises and which rest
more pal tlcularly upon capital may well
be retained until all of our special war
expenditures have been reduced 10 the
normal and the actual future needs OF
the treasury are well ascertained.
By this test. there are two classes OF
taxes in the new law that can we'll be
spared. These are those paid by adhe-
sive stamps attached TO documents. and
those levied upon medicines and similar
proprietary articles. We are convinced
that the repeal OF these would be well
coined with real popular relief The
stamp taxes are onerous and trouble
some. They vex all classes in the COM
munity. The farmer cannot transfer
his property or put mortgage on Il to
meet his needs without paying toll 20
the government. The mechanic cannot
buy postal money order without con-
tributiug his share. The great major
ity Of men who get little money ahead
put II Into bank Tor safe keeping. They
may not have a hundred dollars in the
world, but they want TO insure II against
loss And every time they draw a check
sgains; II they pay two cents 70 the sur
plus revenue. The merchant pays on
his bill q lading All sorts and oondi-
hons ~ men pay telegraph taxes.
And the man who wishes 20 pro-
''A' l"t H.H l@lNllt cannot take
oGt an insurance policy unless q has
fhe proper stamp The same is true ~
the proprietary articles that bear the
tax, a burden peculiarly inequitable In
;hoir case because particular class u
commodities is selected for this IMPOSE
ZION from which others are free.
All ot these taxes should be Included
in the list % those FIRST repealed. Thy
were proper enough At time when war
revenue had % be provided. They we're
imposed wisely and paid cheernllly.
When the immediate need for them dis
appears they should follow it. The to-
4 tai amount paid in taxes last year under
/ schedule =, which includes all the
taxes that are paid by stamps
| a'hxed to documents, vas s3s.sls,o SI.