The Sun.
London, England, 1835-05-09 00:00:00

TAXES ON KNOWLEDGE.

Yesterday morning, at eleven o'clock, a very numerous
and respectable deputation, headed by Dr. Birkbeek,
waited upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in Downing
street, with a view to the repeal of the Stamp-duty upon
Newspapers.
There were present Dr. Southwood Smith, Dr. Fellowes,
George Grote, Esq., Dr. Bowring, Mr. Charle,s Knight,
Mr. Hume, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Joseph Travers, Mr. Place,
Messrs. Matthew Hill, Rowland Hill, Hickson, Craik,Wil-
son, Wood, and several other gentlemen.
Dr. BIRKBECK stated the object of the deputation, and
dwelt at considerable length on the necessity and impor-
tance of diffusing informatian among the people. The
newspaper, he said, was the great instrument of civilization.
It had been asserted by high ecclesiastical authority, that
the people had nothing to do with the laws but to obey
them. Upon that principle, avowedly, in 1796 the four-
penny stamp was laid upon newspapers. In the present
day there were few who would maintain such an opinion ;
yet what was the fact ?—while upwards of two hundred and
eighty Acts of Parliament were sometimes passed in
a single session, the great body of the people were ex-
cluded from all knowledge of the proceedings of the Legis-
lature. No account of the manner in which the laws are
administered, no police intelligence, no information re-
specting passing events, could be published in a form
accessible to a poor man, without a -violation of the laws.
This state of things had called into existence a class of
men who were practically engaged in destroying that re-
spect for legislative authority which the people might other-
wise have retained. Hetherington was originally a quiet
industrious man, who had never actively interfered upon
any political question. His present influence with the
working classes was created by the stamp-laws. And what
an argument was he allowed to urge against the conduct of
Government, when he could state, at the head of the Poor
Man's Guardian, that after five hundred persons had suf-
fered imprisonment for vending this publication, it was at
last decided to be legal by the Court of King's Bench ?
Dr. Birkbeek concluded by reading a memorial, in which
the various taxes affecting literature were enumerated, and
the argument for their abolition strongly enforced.
Mr. HUME narrated the steps which had been taken to
procure the repeal of the newspaper stamp duty during the
last Session of Parliament. The strongest assurances had
then been held out by Lord Althorp that the stamp duty
should be removed. Nothing but cheap newspapers circu-
lated in the country districts could arouse a large portion of
the population from the torpor of that ignorance which too
generally prevailed among the agricultural classes.
Dr. BOWRING related several instances of ignorance,
which he should have treated as incredible, if he had not
met with them himself during his late visit to Devonshire.
Many farmers he had seen were believers in witchcraft, and
no absurdities were too gross for them to credit. Some of
the electors had been told that an alliance had been formed
between Mr. O'Connell and the Pope, and the majority of
the House of Commons, and (it really appeared) gave full
credit to the statement. How could it be otherwise where
newspapers were rarely or ever seen ? Those who had not
access to the fullest means of political information could not
be expected to vote as if they understood the bearings of
every political question.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he was
desirous of narrowing as much as possible the subject of
discussion. He would, therefore, admit at once his entire
accordance with the principles laid down by Dr. Birkbeek.
The alarm which had been raised in the minds of many
persons that a free and unstamped press would be abused
to evil purposes he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) he.
lieved to be groundless. Error would no doubt sometimes
be disseminated, but it was paying a poor compliment to
truth not to suppose that where it bad fair play, it was not
more than a match for falsehood. There was but one ques-
tion to be considered. The Stamp-duty now produced
450,0001. Could the amount, if remitted in one form, be
replaced to the revenue in any other ? Supposing there
were already a surplus to that amount, he believed the
House of Commons would not permit him to apply the
whole of that surplus to this one object. A strong feeling
was entertained on the subject of the Glass-duty, and he
had already a number of applications for the reduction or
abolition of other taxes.
Mr. ROWLAND HILL stated that from various calcula-
tions he had made, and in which he had carefully endea-
voured not to exaggerate the effect of the abolition of the
stamp duty, he believed that the revenue would gain rather
than lose by the adoption of the measure. The increase of
newspapers, supposing it to be only five-fold (although,
from the circulation of newspapers in Guernsey and Jersey,
there was no doubt it would be tenfold), would alone pro-
duce a large sum in paper duty. The duty upon advertise-
ments would also, it was probable, be equally productive ;
and the deficiency, if there were any, might be supplied by
a halfpenny or penny postage upon all newspapers, pam-
phlets, and other publications, weighing less than four
ounces. The present duties produced to Government upon
one hundred papers 11. 15s. 4d. He fully believed that
with the stamp duty abolished, the remaining duties would
be so much improved, that one hundred papers would then
produce to the revenue 11. 15s. 6d.
Mr. HICKSON stated, that out of thirty-five millions of
newspapers, published annually in the United Kingdom,
about twenty-four millions, or two-thirds of the whole, pass
through the Post-office. The number of London news-
papers circulated by post was thirteen millions. It was not
proposed to make the charge of a halfpenny or penny
postage compulsory upon those who had any cheaper means
of conveyance ; but it is yet certain, that if newspapers
here should be as numerous as in the United States, the
number passing through the Post-office, even at a charge
of one penny, could not be less than at present. Twenty-
four millions of newspapers, circulated by post, at a charge
of one penny, would produce 100,0001. A similar sum, it
was likely, might be raised by the postage of Price Cur-
rents, prospectuses, trade circulars, pamphlets, and'maga-
zines. The paper duty now produces 1,0001. upon every
million of newspapers. Were the number increased ten-
fold, the additional revenue to Government, from this
source, would be 350,0001. Even if the paper duty were
reduced one-half (a most desirable measure), the increased
revenue would still be 175,000/.

A long conversation ensued, chiefly upon the financial
difficulties connected with the removal of the stamp-duty.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer expressed his desire to
be furnished with the fullest information respecting the
manner in which it would affect the revenue ; and having
again signified his assent to the principle of the proposed
measure, the deputation took their leave.
The conference lasted two hours.

MEMORIAL OF CERTAIN INHABITANTS OF
THE CITY OF LONDON, AND OTHERS.

To THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE CHANCELLOR OF THE
EXCHEQUER, ON THE EXPEDIENCY OF REMOVING THE
EXISTING IMPEDIMENTS TO THE DIFFUSION OF KNOW-
LEDGE, AND MORE ESPECIALLY OF ABOLISHING THE

STAMP DUTY UPON NEWSPAPERS.—May 6,1835.
The Memorialists believe the prosperity of every com-
munity is invariably commensurate with the progress of
knowledge, and that a people trained in habits of reading
and reflection will possess more resources for the creation
of wealth, mid the promotion of their own happiness, than
it would be impossible for them to command while in a state
of ignorance.
That it is therefore the first duty of a State to remove
every obstacle to the diffusion of knowledge, and to give
the greatest facilities for the circulation of all known facts,
and the free discussion of all opinions.
That among all the instruments hitherto invented for the
accomplishment of these objects, the newspaper is by far
the most efficient. That the stamp duty at present levied
upon this instrument obstructs the working of it to a most
pernicious extent, and is especially attended with the fol-
lowing evil results
It places beyond the reach of the poor man that kind of
information which is the most calculated to interest his mind,

and rouse its dormant powers into activity—namely, that
which is emphatically news, and relates to the stirring inci-
dents of the day.
It excludes hire, especially in the country districts, from
all knowledge of the proceedings of the Legislature, and
of the laws which he is called upon to obey.
It deprives him of the means of learning how these laws
are administered, and of profiting by the example of those
who may incur legal penalties ; the only reports of the
proceedings of the courts of law, and of the police offices,
being given in the newspapers.
It keeps him in ignorance of the various relations of so-
ciety, the duties of citizens, the best markets for labour,
the means of bettering his condition, and of an immense
variety of miscellaneous intelligence, for which a newspaper
is the only efficient channel of general communication.
It exposes him to the mischievous influence of cheap,
immoral, and inflammatory publications, which it has been
found the law cannot put down, while journals of a better
class, which would counteract the evil, are to him rendered
inaccessible.

By limiting the number of purchasers, and thereby di-
minishing the chances of successful competition, it gives to
a few leading journals a species of monopoly, and a power
in the direction of public opinion, which is often productive
of great injury. Were the duty withdrawn, newspapers
would become so numerous and cheap, that no individual
would confine his reading to one journal ; and in accustom-
ing himself to judge between conflicting accounts and op-
posite opinions, he would be less likely than he now is to
be deceived by ex parte statements and interested false-
hoods.
In tracing the moral effects of a legislative policy which
tends to withhold knowledge from the people, it is impossi-
ble not to be struck with the fact, that the class at present
the most dangerous to the security of property and life—
time turbulent portion of the peasantry of Ireland, and the
incendiaries of England, are—at the same time—the most
ignorant and uneducated class, and consist of persons who
rarely see either books or newspapers, during their whole
lives.
There are, in the opinion of the Memorialists, other ob-
stacles to the diffusion of knowledge, which, inasmuch as
they tend to keep the great mass of the people in a state of
intellectual and moral debasement, it is highly desirable to
remove, and the retention of which can be justified by no
considerations of a financial nature.

The amount of duties raised by the various taxes affect-
ing literature, and the diffusion of knowledge, during the
year 1833, and which still continued to be levied, was as
follows :

Newspaper stamps (net produce) X445,836
Advertisements 142,937
Foreign Books
Quills 3,782
Paper, 797,5831. ; but as the half only
is supposed to be used for writing
and printing, say
_

Foreign paper, 23i21., say
Rags and other materials, used for
making paper, 2,3911., say

1,156

1,195

1,004,185

To this account should be added the cost of eleven pre-
sentation copies to the Universities and other institutions ;
a tax severely felt by authors and publishers of the most
valuable and expensive works.

While each of these restrictions acts as a direct impe-
diment to the intellectual and moral improvement of the
people, it is clear that it is the tax upon the newspaper (the
great instrument of civilization) that presents the most
formidable obstacle to their advancement ; nor, in the opi-
nion of the memorialists, will any modification or diminution
of this tax remedy the evils produced by it, or secure the
advantages anticipated from its removal. After the best
consideration which they have been able to give the subject,
the memorialists are satisfied that those ends cannot be se-
cured unless this tax be wholly repealed ; and the refusal to
secure such ends, from considerations of loss to the reve-
nue, were that loss certain and inevitable (which, however,
is far from being the case), appears to the memorialists to
be alike unjust in itself, and opposed to the principles and
aims of a liberal and enlightened Government.
The memorialists have only to add that while, for the
present, they confine their prayer to the repeal of the stamp
duty upon newspapers, they hope the time is not distant
when the Government will be prepared to remove the duty
upon advertisements, the duty upon paper used for writing
and printing, and the minor burdens affecting literature,
enumerated in this memorial.

NOTE TO THE MEMORIAL.—A statement of the sale of
unstamped newspapers :
Cleave's Weekly Police Gazette. 32,000
Hetherington's Twopenny Dispatch 27,000
Vendor's Weekly Police Gazette
Ditto Twopenny Dispatch
Police Register
Sundry others
Making, together, nearly 100,000 weekly unstamped news-
papers sold.
By an official return, it appears that forty-nine persons
have suffered imprisonment for vending the above, between
the 27th of February, 1833, and the 14th April, 1834.
It may be remarked that the unstamped publications
that circulate the most extensive are those which give the
best police intelligence. It has been found that more poli-
tical disquisitions of an inflammatory character will com-
mand but a very limited sale.
It is necessary to guard against an error likely to arise
from the different returns furnished by the Stamp-office.
In some accounts the gross proceeds of the newspaper duty
are stated without deducting the 20 per cent. discount al-
lowed to the trade.

The gross proceeds for 1834 of the newspaper duty for
Great Britain were 507,373/. 16s. ld. ; for Ireland (at
present unknown), say 31,5001. From this return must be
deducted 20 per cent.
Since the year 1831, the newspaper duty has fallen off,
chiefly it is supposed through the unstamped press, to the
amount of 47,414/. 18s. sd.

Gross proceeds (from which should be deducted twenty per
cent.)
1834. 1507,373 16 1

Loss £47,414 18 5

The advertisement duty for 1834, when the late reduc-
tion from 3s. 6d. to Is. 6d. came into full operation, shows
a diminution of duty upon London advertisements as follows :
1832. £59,822 8 6
1834.

Loss _ £25,833 11 0

It may be presumed, therefore, that the total amount of
duty upon advertisements for Great Britain and Ireland, is
now under 100,000/.
From evidence, furnished by Mr. Charles Knight to the
Commissioners of Excise Inquiry, it appears that upon
50,000 copies of a volume, sold in sheets for ss. 4d., and
containing 64 sheets, such as the Penny Cyclopcedia, one-
fifth of the amount is paper duty.
Duty 9s. per ream, upon 3,200 reams
Paper-maker's profit upon duty 5 per cent., stationer's,

10 per cent.
Publisher's and retailer's profit upon the duty, amount-
ing, upon all cheap works, to not less than 50
per cent.

994

£2,6.50

The same gentleman observes, that if the paper duty
were removed, the speculation which now pays at a sale of
.50,000 copies, would then pay at 30,000 ; or if the duty
were reduced one-half, the speculation which now pays at
.50,000, would then pay at 40,000.
Newspapers pay in paper-duty to Government upwards
of one thousand pounds upon every million of sheets (one
thousand sheets weigh 881bs., which, at 3d. per lb., is 225.)
The present circulation of newspapers in Great Britain
and Ireland is confined to 35 millions—little more than one
paper per year for each individual of the population. Lon-
don is the only city of the United Kingdom maintaining a
daily journal, while in America every town containing eight
thousand or ten thousand inhabitants, has its own daily
paper. . _ .

;' This calculation is, however, under the truth. The duty
upon first-class paper produces 649,2731. ; upon second-class
paper 102,9811.

A vacancy has occurred in the Sub-Committee of
Drury-lane Theatre by the unexpected demise of William
Linley, Esq., brother to the first lady of the celebrated Brins-
Icy Sheridan. It will be filled up at the next general meeting
of the proprietors.

On Friday evening, as the mail-coach from Limerick
was on its way from Nenagh to Toomevara, a country fellow
with a bludgeon clung to the hind part of it. The guard
(who is the eccentric Andrew Cosgrave) being in the act of
reviewing his bags, desired the fellow to keep off; but he re-
peated his injunction in vain. The fellow taking advantage of
Cosgrave while drawing the mail bags closer together, gave him
a sudden slash of his stick upon the forehead ; Cosgrave, though
half stunned by the blow, discharged a pistol at the
miscreant, but to what effect we cannot say, as the fellow,
after falling, rose again and bounded over a wall.—Dublin
Paper.

Yesterday, about 12 o'clock, as an Irish labourer,
named Martin Neal, was proceeding towards his home across
the waste piece of ground at the top of Carlisle-street, Edge-
ware-road, he heard the cries of a child issuing from some un-
finished houses, on searching which he discovered a little girl,
about five years of age, with no other covering upon her than
a piece of old flannel petticoat. Upon his questioning her,
lie informed him that, about an hour before, as she and several
other children were at play together near her father's house in,
Exeter-street, Lisson.grove, she was accosted by a respecta-
bly-dressed woman, who gave her some sweetmeats, and en-
ticed her from her companions with a promise of a new bonnet
and a blue spencer, to the spot where she stripped her. She
described the woman as rather tall, very much marked with
the small-pox, and dressed in black. Mr. Mackinnon, the
child's father, who is in respectable circumstances, has offered
a reward for the apprehension of the thief.

The publication of THE SUN NEWSPAPER commenced this day
at 20 minutes past 3 o'clock.