The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-05-18 00:00:00

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grictaece, it was scarcely to be supposed that the bare mention of
suds a subject as a pros team tor the Catholic Clergy ennyerted the
remelt-talked-of petition into no petition at all. Under such cir-
cumstances, he hesitated not to say, that the proceedings of that
tweeting should have no weight with the House in deciding the
mention then before it. The .honourable Gentleman had corr.
tended, shat the (love • trent was totaEy wrong in the course it hod
pursued relative to the repeal of taxes ; but he would answer, that
by sayieg that the proportion tvhich the direct bore to the indirect
tales was very small irdetd. The one was upwards of fifty mil-
lions, the other only three millions and a halt. In point of fart,
the amount of the direct taxes WAS as next to nothing, when com-
pared with that of the indirect taxes. The Hourable Mover had
segued as if those on whom the window tax pressed derived
too advantage from the repeal of the duties on coffee, wine,
and other commodities, the duties on which had been
recently diminiehed ; but the same argument would ap-
ply with equal force to the repeal of the duty on salt, or
on any other toddle in which the first cost bore but a small propor-
tion to the amount of the duty levied. If the 'abject were fairly
turd irnearially considered, it must be felt that in point of money
the people were just as much benefited by the repeal of indirect
teats as hey could possibly be by those which were direct. Ile
bed some of p3rtunities of becoming acquainted with the sentiments
of the people on these points, and he could safely affirm that they
telt the diminutions which had been already effected as a substan-
iial and undisputed relief. He could not see bow it was possible
to deny that it was an actual relief, when it was recollected that of
upwards of 900,000 individuals affected by the tax, no less than
633,000 had felt relief. It had been stated, that in consequence of
This tax landlords were in the habit of exercising excessive severity
over their tenants; but bow could the Government be considered
responsible for oppressinns of that class of society ? Amongst the
„other details of the Hon. Mover's speech, there were a variety of
considerations which were urged as objections to the tax. and to
which he did not now think it necessary more particularly to seude,
but he would observe, that he was no admirer of taxes in the ab.
atra t—he had miter considered them as delightful exercises of
power ; but, on the contrary, took.every means within his teach to
diminish their amount end mitigate their severity. Amongst the
other arguments on which the lien. Member relied, was that
which rested on the unequal operation of this tax upon houses of
different values—those, for instance, in Tothill-street and LAM-
lbard.street ; but that was an argument which applied as powerfully
to any other taw where there was unequal consumption of any
commodity, without a difference in the amount of the duty. There
was another point on which he dilated at considerable length, but
with very little success--eantely, the circumstance of that tax
proving an obstacle to building. On this point, it' he were to speak
nom hit own experietice, he would say that this had no foundation
in fact. He had for sonic months now been in the metropolis and
its vicinity, and from the late progress made in building he would
soy that London had gone to York. Ile had also attributed much
deformity to many of the new buildings, in consequence of the
operation of the tax. Now, for his part, he had always been taught
te think that in architecture a pauci•y of windows ought to be con-
sidered a beauty. In many of the new buildings, whose tasteful
and judicious decorations so much adorned the metropolis, perhaps
the only fault that could be found consisted in toe greats number
of wi sdows, owing to a just and proper regard for the comfort and
convenience of those fur whose use the buildings in question were
intended. As to the individual mansion to which he had particu-
larly alluded, surely he could nut imagine that it was the penury
of the owner which led him to curtail tits number of his windows
for the sake of avoiding the tax. This he never could consider as
an apt illustration of the argument of the Hun. Mover. The lion,
Gentleman had guraded against his being called on to propose a
substitute for the window tax, but he (the Chancellor of the Excite-
qaer) had no design of calling on hint to find any such substitute.
It would be his business to hare to find a substitute, and if the
occasion required it, he doubted not that in the rresent state of the
country he could have very little difficulty in finding such a sub.
statute; it was therefore not on account ut this difficulty that he
objected to the motion of the lime Member. but because he felt
'iitrong in the opinion that the public good would be more promoted
y the removal of indirect taxation, than by adopting the resolu-
tion of the liou. Member for Westminster. It was his full per-
suasion that the prosperity of the country. would be advanced
in a tenfold degree more by the diminution of duties affect-
ieg commercial intercourse, than by the reduction of direct
taxes now recommended. lie alleges, without being at all sustained
in the allegation, that his Majesty's Governm-at are resisting the
reasonable wishes of the people, and perpetrating gross injustice,
Because they are steadily pursuing a line of policy which will tit.
timately be productive of more advantage than could ever arise
from an acquiescence in what is stated to be their own wishes. It
a temed to have been lost sight of, that the reduction of 1.500,000/.
prveeded upon a calculation of surplus for tour successive years,
at,e: if there was then to be added to this reduction a further sum of
1.2.50.00(e. it would hare the effect of rendering good fur nothing
all that had been previously accomplished by the Government. He
eras opposed to the present measure, on the ground of his being
beaverse from making any declarations as to what should
be done with regard to taxation at any time to come. Nothieg
would render it ileac difficult for Government to carry into effect
the financial improvements which they had in view, titan being
shackled by such pledges as the t motion sought to obtain. If the
Howe would not, by negativing the motion, save hint or whoever
might fill his office from the embarrassment which such a pledge
would occasion, it would necessarily prevent his eleiesty's Govern-
ment from continuing that system of extended relief, with which
they had it in contemplation to advance, even beyond its present
aineaampled height, the growing prosperity of the country.
Colonel DAS IES, though willing to give every credit to the
good disposition of the Chancellor, and to his sincere intentions to
give substantial relief to the country, yet could not assent to
the view which that Right Ilan. Gentleman took of the subject then
under the consideration of the House. Although he was so averse
from giving pledges on subjects of this nature, yet be had then
committed himself by giving an implied pledge that they should
not have one reduction ot assessed taxes.
.Mr. LEI CESTER supported the motion, and wondered how
the Chancellor of the Exchequer did not see that the prosperity of
tee country would be inlititely more advanced by the removal of
direct than of indirect taxation. If the repeal of the window tax
preyed advantageous to Ireland, why should it not prove equally so
to England?
Mr. CALCRAFT observed. that is to the animadversions which
had fallen (ruin the Right lion. Gentleman with regard to peti-
tions, he could only say, that none but the individuals who uttered
the sentiments he had censured could be held responsible for diem.
Such assuredly were not his sentiments. He would support the
motion of big Honourable Friend, though lie was well aware of
the inconvenience which resulted from the House being committed
by any pledges of this nature; but in this matter he thought
lie saw his way so clearly that he could not but vote for the motion.
Ile then adverted to several topics. and in the course of his observe-
lions urged the necessity of putting an end to smuggling.
Mr. HERRI ES opposed the motion. Ile contended that a suf-
ficient ground for his opposition was contained in the speech of the
lion. Member for eVareltam (Mr. ealcraft). if any reduction wete
to take place, he thought the indirect taxes, as being most oppres-
sive, were those which ought to be reduced. lie was free to admit
that the direct taxes might be more obvious to the feelings, and
therefore their pressure more loudly complained of. No one could
doubt that the indirect taxes were more oppressive, not indeed to
tie feelings and purses of individuals, but to the commercial and
manufacturing interests of the country.
Mr. MABERLY contended, teat the determination expressed
by the Right lion. Gentleman opposite not to repeal the direct
taxes, was in opposition to the wishes of the whole country. The
people were almost unanimous in their petitions against the win-
(low tax in particular; they declared it to be the most onerous tax
which they had to endure.
Sir F. BURDETT thought there was no tax attended with more
consequences—no tax which more unequally affected, or inter-
fered more immediately with the comforts of the people, than that
which his lion. Colleague sought to remove. One great objection
to it was, that it was imposed without any regard to the means or
wealth of those who were to pay it. lie preferred seeing it added
to the House tax ; then there would be but one set of collectors ; at
present they invaded the poorest families ; they could at all times
enter a man's house. or, as it was more properly called, his castle.
it Was idle for the Right Hon. Gentlemen opposite to talk of free
trade, and how much more it was to be promoted by the reduction
t", indirect than direct taxes ; it was ludicrous to hear them talk of
the freedom of trade, when the whole coast of England was herme-
tically sealed by the preventive wateteguard. (Ilea:. bear.) When
he saw such a standing army as now garrisoned this country—when
he saw barracks being built in every direction, arid other grievous
and weighty expenses daily incurred without the Auto, of neces-
sity, he felt that by supporting the motion of his Hun. Colleague
he was helping by his vote to preserve the liberties of his country,
and save the money of the people from being lavishly expended.
eIIUSKISSON said that dim:mien that before me Howe was
ireeuded in that brought forward by the lion. Member for Abing-
due (Mr. J. M. Maberly), and negatived. The lion. Bsrotiet, in
recommending that the window-tax should be added to the house
tax, was canted too far, either by his indiscretion or by his hosti-
lity to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The lion. Baronet had a
Alerting lately in Westminster to petition against die window-tax.
Let hint earl anoth r Meeting, and submit to it the proposition
wade by him that night, and see thit sort of reception it would meet
with. (Hear, hear.) It was well known that the pressure of the
house-tax was felt moat in large towns. Let the Hon. Baronet
melee the proposal to them, and see how thy would like to pay an
aidiceenal tax of 1,2.50,0001. The lion. Baronet talked a great
deal as to the freedom of trade, and alluded to the VCiAtellte of the
coat blockade. He would tell him that any revenue regulations at
ties or that port did not interfere with trade, except perhaps with
twit species of trade, shich, in the parlance of smugglers, was
(leaf „free trade." (A laugh.) The necessity of such a pre-
iaeticen was the strongest proof of the propriety of removing the
itieirect taxes, which cramped the manufactures, and para.
lyt ed the trade of the country. lion. Members opposite might say
to the Chancellor of the Exchequer—" You have removed indirect
taxes to the amount of six millions and a half ; why not repeal the
direct taxes ?" Ile (ele litrikisson) thought the charge itself con-
tained a high eulogium on his Right Hoe. Friend. (Hear, hear.)
It etas admitting the judgment with which he acted when he re-
duced taxes to so great en amount, and yet diminished the revenue
ea little. (Hear, hear.)
Colonel PAI.3IER said, that notwithstanding the rebuke given
upon a forme, night to a Il'orthy Alderman, he agreed with his
lion. Friend in supporting all niutions fur relieving the burthens of
the people, as the Ministers on their side ievatiab/y, opposed them,
whilst an every instance cf the reseal of a tax being carried they
hod contrived to go on just as well without it. This at least was
wore consistent than the conduct of another Worthy Alderman,
who, upon the same occasion, had praised to the skies the el inisteis
ar.S Sinking Fund, whilst be voted against them, and repro-
Listed, en the strongest terms, the injustice and oppression of the