The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-26 00:00:00

MR. BRIGHT, M.P,, ON _REFORM.

The Glasgow Herald publishes a correspondence
between Mr. Alexander Drew, of Glasgow, and
Mr. Bright. INlr. Drew, it appears, desires to know
from Mr. Bright himself whether or not he has
done a certain amount of mischief to the cause of
reform, as alleged in some recent speeches delivered
in the west country by Mr. Bouverie, 'M.P. In
reply, Mr. Bright writes as follows :

" Rochdale, Nov. 19,1880.
" Sir,—l can only refer you to my published speeches bit
what I have said on the question of reform. It is a mistake
to suppose the possessors of power in this country can be
persuaded to part with it, or to share it with the people, by
smooth words. If Mr. Bouverie is dissatisfied with ICI y
mode of arguing the question, he may give us a sample of
his mode—we shall see if he succeeds any better. Ido nee
recollect that he has ever shown any earnestness with No•
gard to it, and it is not unlikely that he may not like
earnestness in others. Twenty years ago we were charged
with strong language and great severity when discussingthe
question of the corn laws. The country surely knows by
this time whether our accusations were well founded or not ;

at last it was only by the help of a famine, which killed
thousands and exiled hundreds of thousands, that we pre -
vailed. We were then charged with creating hostility be -
tween classes ; and yet now everybody knows that nothing
in our time has done so much to remove discontent, and to
put an end to the war of classes, as the abolition of the corn
law. I suppose the present holders of power will wait till
some accident brings a hurricane about them, and then they
will yield without honour what they now retain without
right. With regard to your proposition as to fixing a mini-
mum of wages, I have only to say that I think the scheme
wholly impracticable, and that any attempt to do what you
suggest could only lead to confusion. How could a mini-
mum of wages be fixed, without fixing a minimum of priees?
And who could do this, not for this country only but for the
world? Is it possible that any rational man can believe
that such a measure is possible ? And how can a Scotch-
man, living in the city where Adam Smith lived and wrote,
believe it ?—I am, respectfully yours,

" JOIN BRIGHT."

FRENCH FINANCE.

(From the Honey Market Review.)

Now that the attention of the commercial commu-
nity in this country is in an especial manner directed
to the operations of the Bank of France, it may be
considered a fitting moment to take a brief glance at
the financial position and the fiscal burthens of the
French nation. We will confine ourselves to citing
a few pregnant figures :—ln the year 1814 the
National Debt of France was £50,646,108. In 38
years, that is to say in 1852, it had increased to
£213,825,492. It is now £356,883,871 ; so that in
the last eight years it has increased no less than
£143,058,379. In 1855 the annual charge of the
public debt of France was stated to be £9,000,600,
whilst in January -of the present year it was ad-
mitted to be £16,000,000, and is probably much
more. We have not space to enter into, nor the full
particulars of, the manner in which this large in-
crease has arisen in so short a space of time. In
France the financial secrets of the Government are
well kept. But it is a terrible fact that in the face
of the unprecedented amount of taxation with which
France is at present burthened, it is even now
necessary to add largely, year after year, to the
national debt. _ .

During the same space of 40 years the English
national debt has undergone several alterations,
sometimes rising and sometimes falling, but it
is at present very little more than it was in
1820, when it stood at £790,000,000 ; whilst the
charge on the debt has considerably lessened. It
may convey a lesson to those who complain so bit-
terly of our system of taxation if we place in juxta-
position the account of the revenue derived from the
taxes of the two countries. It will be seen that
France actually outstrips us in the amount of har
revenue from taxation. At the same time, it must
be borne in mind that the figures do not include
any local taxation, which in many towns in France,
as here, is considered very great. It is especially
heavy in Paris.
"REVENUE OP GREAT BRITAIN POR 1860.
1. Income-tax
2. Stamps
3. Crown lands 416,531
4. Customs
5. Excise
6. Post Office 3,310,655
7. Miscellaneous

£71,104,127
" REVENUE OF FRANCE FOR 1860.

1. Direct taxes, land, house, personal,
and patentes .. £18,800,000
2. Stamps and domain Gs.. .. 14,300;000
3. Woods, forests, and Fisheries.... 1,500,000
4. Custom Ad tl it.. 9,100,000

-ustoms an. Atx on sun,
5. Excise 19,500,000
6. Post Office 2,300,000
7. Miscellaneous... 7,500,000

£73,000,000

It must be difficult—nay, impossible—for France
to continue for any long period the immense sacri-
fices she is now called upon to make. Unless the
heavy load of taxation which she is forced to bear
be speedily mitigated, the eff,cts will be most
lamentable. Thee is a point beyond which na-
tions, any more than individuals, cannot carry their
expenditure without tempting ruin.