The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-31 00:00:00

4 STAMPED 57' ry.

that by that means he would be able to give a boarto the
public through the remission of indirect taxes. Efe ad-
mitted distieetty that it was a tax only for times of great
onsrgeacy, and having made out a case of emergency,
asked for the tax only for a limited and temporary period.
He confessed that the pleas for its successive' extension
' had by no means been satisfactory to his mind, but he was
still more surprised at the ground upon which it was pro-
posed to extend the increased till April, 185$. Why, the
limit was distinctly fixed for one year after the termfna-
tion of the war, Well, what was the termination of 'the
War ? The cessation of hostilities and the signing of the
articles of the peace. But the Chancellor of the Exchequei
said, " all great statesmen knew that a war had not ceased
until the treaty of peace was ratified." All the great states-
men in the House of Commons applauded that statement
-- (laughter)—and the consequence was, that although the
trestrwas-signed -a week before the expiration of the finan-
cial year, the ratifications having been postponed for three
weeks after that period, they were asked to paytwo years'
additional tax instead of one. Now, he had no hesitation
in saying that' had Ministers come forward, and asked for
the extension of the tax for soother year, there would have
been such an opposition to it that they would have been
compelled to withdraw the proposition. It was clear, there-
fore, that the tax rested upon a very slender and unsound
foundation. There could be no doubt whatever that the tax
was a war tax, and nothing else, and now that the war was
ended, the tax specially simposed to meet the demands
of the.warishould cease also. They all knew that in that
borough and elsewhere the Government establishments had
been very materially reduced, and he should like to know
why the tax should not be reduced also. As to the question
Whether the tax, in a reduced and different shape, should
become a part of oar financial system, they were not called
upon to discuss it that night, and having pointed out what
he considered the point really at issue, he should have
great pleasure in giving effect to the decision of his consti-
tuents to the utmost of his power in his place in the House
of Commons. (Cheers.) In conclusion, Mr. Chambers, re-
ferring to some observations of Mr. Thwaites, denied that
the-borough 'was either a Government or a corrupt borough.
Had it been either, he should not have occupied the posi-
tion of its repre-entative.
The reaolution was agreed to unanimously, amidst loud
applause. .
Mr. C4DELL then moved the adoption of a petition em-
bodying the resolution, and that Mr. Chambers be re-
quested to present and support the same. In supporting
the resolution, he said that this was no party question. It
was one which affected alike ell parties and all classes, and
therefore all were called upon alike to exert themselves to
see justice done-
Mr. DUVALL seconded the motion.
Mr. NICHOLAY, one of the deputation from the Metropo-
litan Aisociation, supported the resolution, and earnestly
advisci the constituencies of the cities and boroughs
throughout the country to imitate the electors of Stroud,
who had signed a declaration pledging themselves not to
support any candidate at the next election who did'not
pledge himself to the apt ady reduction, and the future
equitable adjustment, or final repeal of the tax: The re-
presentative of Stroud was Mr. Horsman, the Secretary for
Ireland. That movement would, therefore, be felt at once
ith-e-aafernizient. In Marylebone, the important metro-
olitan borough to which he (Mr. Nicholay) belonged, they
ad also a Minister of the Crown (Sir B. Hall) for a repre-
ientative. They would soon have a borough meeting, and
he would endeavour to lead Sir Benjamin to, that meeting
by a silken string, and to get such a pledge from him. If
not, woe '. o Sir Benjamin. This was not a question upon
which they should be mealy mouthed. They must speak
out, and he was happy to say that the movement was
spreading with unexampled rapidity throughout the whole
country.' The tocsin was sounded, and in a short time
he believed that unity and energy would give them a
triumphant victory. (Cheers.)
Colonel SLEIGH next addressed the meeting in condem-
nation of what he called a hideous imposture, a scandalous
abomination, and a shocking fraud upon the industry and
the intelligence of the country. If they took an income of
1501. a-year, derived from professional and personal exer-
tions, it would be only worth their purchase, and the mar-
ket value would be 4161. If they took 1501. a-year, derived
from permanent property, its value in the market would
be 3,7501. The Government taxed both these incomes
alike, and the result was that the income from casual and
precarious resources was taxed at the rate of i2l. ts. per
cent , while that from permanent sources was taxed only
ss. 4d. (Loud cries of "Hear, hear," and "Shame.") For
his own part he went fu ther than previous speakers, and
would entirely abolish the tax upon professional and trad-
ing incomes. (Cheers.)
The resolution was then unanimously agreed to, and the
proceedings closed with a cordial vote of thanks to the
Chairman.