Washington sentinel., 1900-04-14
Oongressman LEWIS work.

Congressman LeYY's work.
Representative LeVy's fight for
a reduction OF the burdensoue war
taxes, and his ceaseless efforts to
secure a favorable report on his
bill for the repeal OF some OF them,
have cause the Republican side
much worry and Inconvenience,
Mr.. Payne, the leader OF the mai
ority, recently was forced, on ac-
count of the pressure brought on
him by Mr.. Levy's agitation to
introduce a resolution which re-
quested the Secretary OF the Treas
ury to send to the House a state
ment relating to the revenues and
expenditures OF the Government.
This important information went
to the House on Tuesday. Upon
the showing which Secretary Gage
makes, the repeal of the war taxes
in part at least is practicable.
For the fiscal year ending June
80, 1900, the estimated receipts OF
the Government are as follows:
Customs, Sa33, 3,ooo, 900; internal
revenue, SAGA, 900 900; miscellan-
eous, 5000. 900; total, $500, ,Ooo,-
600, The expenditures, including
SI3s, 900, 900 for the army and on
our war account, Ss5,ooo,ooo tor
the navy and SG43 ,ooo, 900 for pen
sions, aggregate S49o, 900, ,ooo'
leaving a surplus of S7o,ooo, 900.
For the fiscal year ending june 80,
1901, the total revenues OF the
Government are estimated at
Ss77, 900, 900 and the expenditures
at S4o5 900, 900, leaving a surplus
of 81. 900, 900. In the next fiscal
year the Secretary allows Sras,-
900 900 for the army, and presum-
ably for war, and 500, ,ooo, 900 tor
the navy-a reduction OF $1,000
900 on account of the two most
important items in our national
budget since the era ofimperialism
was ushered in with the reign Of
Mckinley.
Mr.. Gage makes no recommen-
dation in respect to the repeal OF
war taxes, or any part oi them, but
his figures show conclusivelY that
even with the enormous additional
expense entailed by our imperial
ist policy the Government is col
lecting more money than it needs.
On June 80, there will be surplus
of $40, ,ooo, 900 in the Treasury.
representing taxation for which
there is no necessity. II the pres
ent Congress does not modify the
war revenue act, the surplus will
continue to increase, and if the
taxes remain in lorce another year,
from June 80, 1900, to June 80,
1901, the surplus in the Treasury,
according to Mr.. Cages statement,
will amount to SI5a 900, 600.
Said Mr.. Levy to the Editor Of
the SENTINEL:
The existence of such a surplus will
have demoralizIng effect. II will tend
to extravaganza and pc ssibY promote
fraud and corruption. The schemes OF
plumber devised by cunning minds will
flourish, and the privileged Interests will
grow richer at the public expense
Many extravagant projects and enter
prises will be sanctioned by Congress
on the ground that the Government can
afford to be generous with its Golfers
filled to overfiowing, Taxation IS
onerous even when 1t is reasonable and
unavoidable, When it is shown to be
unnecessary, however, the people will
not tolerate it indefinitely. The mar
who cheerfully submitted to the addi'
tional tax during the war with Spain will
not be so complacent when he knows
that the money taken from him IS swell
ing a Treasury surplus which is moi
needed for the expenses Of government
l believe and know from a persona
interview with the President that ht
realizes this fact. He knows for instance
that the brewers who generally cheer
fully bear all kinds OF taxation, wOul
not so vigorously protest against tht
present double war tax If II was no
buTdensome, unjust and oppressive.
congratulate you. Mr.. Schade, upon tn,
good work you are doing in keeping ~
this fight. Mr.. Cages statement L
Congress will increase the genera
demand for a reduction of the burden
imposed upon the taxpayers. We CA
spend FIVE times as much upon our arm
this year as we did prior to the war wit
Spain and twice as much upon our navy
and still pile up a surplus in the Treas
ury. Under the circumstances il is NO
surprising that the taxpayers ask to
rid ofsome ol the burdens imposed upo
them. l shall keep up this fight unit
the bill is given recognition, which | al
confident will be done in few days.
Mr.. Levy is absolutely right !
every statement he has mad,
There is no valid reason WHY a