The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-25 00:00:00

gints

LONDON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1849.

Mr. RIGBY WASON, whose admirable letters to
Lord Joux Russziff. on the important subject of the
reclamation of the waste lands of Ireland, have from
time to time appeared in our columns, has forwarded
another communication of still deeper and more
general interest, which will be found in another part
of our impression this day. It is a letter to his
quondam constituents, the inhabitants of the borough
of Ipswich, in which he submits for their considera-
tion a vast and comprehensive scheme, which he
properly terms " A BUDGET FOR THE MILLION." It is
an offering dictated by a grateful remembrance of the
connexion that formerly existed between the parties.
when Mr. WASON was the efficient and faithful re-
presentative of the borough. A recollection of Mr.
WASON'S Parliamentary career, of the many valuable
suggestions for the public benefit he has offered
through the columns of the public press, and of the
many practical improvements which he has effected
by his individual exertions, occasions a feeling of
regret that such a man should not now possess
a seat in the National Council, that he should
be excluded from a participation in those legis-
latorial labours for which he is s) eminently qualified.
That exclusion sufficiently proves that there is some-
thing rotten in the system under which the nation is
deprived of such services ; that the people cannot
be fairly represented when so tried and faithful a ser-
vant is not returned as a Member.

Mr. WASON comes forward in the light of a finan-
cial reformer. He submits views startling for their
novelty, and for the magnitude of their conception.
He suggests a plan " for paying off in an honest
manner the national debt. To begin this year, and
to be completed, as far as taxes are con-
cerned, before its close." He does not
contemplate any act of spoliation or con-
fiscation. He appears to anticipate the possibility
of such a charge. It is a favourite line of argument
with those opposed to every reform, and anxious to
perpetuate the existing abuses under which the nation
has groaned for the last thirty years, and to sustain
the golden idol which the bullionists have set up. It
is the bugbear to frighten timid and ignorant persons
from even listening to the arguments of financial re-
formers. He, however, disposes of the objection
briefly, but emphatically. He says, "I do not con-
descend to say that I propose to keep faith with the
national creditor. Quis vituperavit ! was the proper
reply to an uncalled-for eulogiurn on a heathen god;
and to any shout that may be raised in favour of
national honesty, the proper answer is, Who
entertains a contrary opinion ?" It is, indeed, an
astounding proposition, and wo can easily conceive
the amazement of those to whom it was detailed.
And yet it does not appear so very impracticable after
all, when the plan is fairly taken into consideration,
and regarded in all its aspects.
Mr. Wasox declares " That unless 'we are pre-
pared to operate upon the National Debt, it is not
possible for the industry of the country to be effectu-
ally released from excessive taxation ;" that e,
COBDEN proposes to repeal only one-fifth of the burden,
or ten millions, while Mr. _MACGREGOR does not be-
lieve it practicable to strike off more than one-tenth, or
five millions." He believes _kir. MACGREGOR'S esti-
mate to be the more accurate, and therefore takes his
plan, and not Mr. COBDEN'S, for the reduction of ex-
penditure.
In accordance, then, with the views of the
Honourable Member for Glasgow, he assumes that
the naval, army, and ordnance expenditure might
be maintained with full efficiency for 14,250,0001.,
and that the civil expenditure would amount to
7,000,0001. in ad,lition. These sums he proposes
to raise by retaining the taxes on spirits, both Cus-
toms and Excise, which last year produced
7,500,000/., tobacco (at one quarter the present
duties), tea at is. per pound, sugar at half the present
duty, wines at lowest duty compatible with highest
revenues, legacy duty on every description of pro-
perty real and personal, unredeemed land-tax, stamps,
abolishing in tote, as suggested by Mr, ATACGRIGIOR,