The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-18 00:00:00

tative of trio People as any a R tdieal 11,3 f orming

constituency could select.

Here, as elsewhere,

therefore, let us hop 3 that the Electors—roused

t, a s-3ris3 of the vital importance of the situation

—will at once bestir themselves.

It is universally admitted that if the Income
"iP:ox:
ne
tr ebaebout 'tolerated.tbe imposedThe
s o_feo„rl I :ha. 0 e
I ,firstmt time,taxl
the system at present in operation would not for a
ti.in of all incomes, without reference to the
sources from whence they may ba derived or tin-
manner in which they may he obtained, is so un-
equal in operation, so unsound in principle, that,
were it n( t an established, fact, had it not repeat-
edly received the legislative sanction; it would
seem a mere waste of time to adduce argurnenti
against it. Even those who are the most strenuous
opponents of any modification acknowledge the
magnitude of the evil ; but in place of striving to
provide an adequate remedy, they attempt, or pre-
tend to attempt, to direct all their exertions
against the impost itself, while at the same time
professing Free-trade principles, and an in-
tense desire to reduce materially indirect imposts.
This is really an artfully-devised scheme to disgust
the nation with a tax so inequitable and so oppres-
sive, so as to induce the people t) tolerate the indi-
rect imposts, which at the same time fetter our
countnerce--place an unfair proportion of the na-
tional burdens on the industrial population, and
tike far more from the pockets of those by whom
they are actually paid—the consumers—than finds
its way into the National Exchequer. These par-
ties well know that a judiciously-assessed and fetirly-
apportioned Property Tax is by far the best im-
post for the community at large, that it is alike
equitable and expedient, pressing on those beat
able to sustain the burden, and making every man
contribute to the liquidation of the national lia-
bilities and the maintenance of the national estab-
lishments, secundum, statics, et fac&tates, according
to his means, the stake ho posesses and the pos:
tion which he occupies in the country.

But it is these very reasons which render it
acceptable to the community at large that hor-
rify red-tapists. It is opposed to the very first
principles of "State craft," which is to press the
needy to the uttermost, and to permit the
wealthy to escape with comparative impunity.
Poor men under our present artificial system are
mere political cyphers. They either are deprived
altogether of the elective franchise, or if they
possess it they are subjected to so many improper
and corrupt influences either through the dicta
tion or coercion of landlord, employer, or cus-
tomer, or through the application of a pecuniary
bribe, that they are virtually unrepresented.
Therefore the burdens are as far as practicable

transferred to their shoulders. The constitu•

tional maxim that "fixation should be coin

cident with representation" is wholly repudiated,
and those who have few, if any, friends in PArlia,

meat receive the hardest hits. The over-toiled

operative or labourer, earning a scanty subsistence
by unremitting toil, and having no provision put
aside for a rainy day—.whose family a brief illness
of, or accident to, the father and provider will con-
sign to the tender mercies of the Union Work-
house, contributes far more largely to the National
Exchequer than the purse-proud millionnaire, or
the fortunate possessor of wide-s.pread domains ;
and that although the money is required for the
satisfaction of debts contracted for the preserva-
tion or improvement in value of these properties,
or for their present protection. In fact, as a
very talented writer and profound observer has
recently remarked, " there is not any wicked

thing so foolish, or any foolish thing so wicked,"
as the prevailing fiscal system which Noble L•rds
and Right Hon. and Hon. Gentlemen laud as
the perfection of human wisdom, and for which
they declare that no adequate substitute can be
discovered.

Now we distinctly and positiTely assert that
any actuary qualified to discharge the duties of
an insurance office, any merchant's clerk capable