The Sun.
London, England, 1835-08-20 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

fear the Whigs intend to pursue the same practice
as the Tories, viz., to let the whole weight of taxation be
borne by the industry of the country. Property, except when
engaged in trade, is to remain untaxed—a system which lam
sure will not be long submitted to. If Mr. Spring Rice
durst not introduce an equitable plan of taxation, he might,
with a little exertion, have made reductions in our expenditure,
which would have given him a greater surplus. Why does
he not reduce our Excise and Customs' Establishments? In
the latter many partisans of the Tories have been placed with
extravagant salaries, who know nothing about the duties they
have to perform. The Whigs are partial to Commissions.
Now, why not have Commissioners to ascertain the fitness of
every officer in the Excise and Customs, and if his services
be over-remunerated ? An immense saving might be effected
by such a proceeding, besides improving the efficiency of
those Establishments. The Boards of Excise and Customs
will never do it, so Mr. Rice had better set about it. I believe
much good might be done by an independent M. P. moving
for the names and salaries of every officer in the Excise and
Customs. The public, to whom these services are exhibited,
would then be able to judge whether their salaries were de-
served or not. I find no fault with the reduction of the duty
on glass, because such an article (its value being nearly all
labour) ought never to have been taxed, and it is utterly im-
possible to collect the duty upon it. lam disappointed at his
not altering the infamous stamp duties. If we are to have
such a tax, the stamp should bear some proportion to the
amount of the transaction. I also think the auction duty on
an Insolvent's stock ought to have been remitted. It is a
grievous impost on men who cannot get 20s. in the Pound.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant, W. R.

Sir Robert Peel has accepted an invitation to dine
with the Gentlemen of Tamworth and its neighbourhood, at
the Town-hall, on the 4th of September. The chair will be
taken by W. P. Inge, Esq.
The Queen of Spam has contracted for a supply of
artillery from the Royal Arsenal, 'Woolwich ; they consist of
six-pounders, 12-inch howitzers, and other field pieces, with
the materiel complete for immediate use on landing in Spain.
he birth of Viscount Stormont's son and heir was
celebrated with public rejoicings on the Earl of Mansfield's
estates in Perthshire on the 14th instant.
The Bishop of Winchester has just announced a
confirmation for the whole county of Hants, which will occupy
more than a month.
To-morrow will be the anniversary of the birthday
of the King, on which day his Majesty will have attained his
70th year. A grand entertainment will be given on the oc-
casion, at Windsor Castle. The day will be celebrated with
every demonstration of joy ; and the town illuminated at night.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cumber-
land and Prince George, attended by Baron Lieningen and
Colonel Paton, are gone from their Palace at Berlin to the
mineral waters in the delightful valley of Pyrmont, near Ha-
nover. The spring of 1836 is now mentioned for the return
of the Duchess and Prince to England.
Lord Auckland gave a farewell dinner yesterday
evening, at the Admiralty, to a distinguished prrty. His
Lordship's successor, as First Lord, is not yet settled. Cir-
cumstances, it is understood, prevent a Member of the House
of Commons from accepting the post, which is a patent office;
and, therefore, on the appointment of the new First Lord,
the Members of the Board must be gazetted afresh. The Mar-
quis of Anglesey is to be added to the list of noble candidates
for the office.
Major-General Middlemore has been 4ppointed Go-
vernor of St. Helena; and Major-General Darling, Lieute-
nant-Governor of Tobago, has been nominated Lieutenant-
! Governo7 in place of the former.