The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-12 00:00:00

OPPOSITION TO THE INCOME TAX.

A meeting of the citizens of Lincoln was held in the
Guildhall, on Saturday, in compliance with a notice
issued by the mayor (Mr. N. Clayton), who had received
a requisition from upwards of 200 householders. The
Mayor, who was in the chair, read the following letter
from Major Sibthorp, M.P. for Lincoln :

" Walcot, near Stamford, Jan. 9.
My dear Sir,—l find by the paper this afternoon that
there is to be a meeting at the Guildhall, at Lincoln, in
reference to the income tax, and which is the first intima-
tion I have had of any such meeting being contemplated
that day. I very much regret that it will not be in m 9
power to be present at it, in the first place, because not
aware of it; and again, having been confined, to my bed all
yesterday and most of this day by a severe cold caught in
coming here on Wednesday ; and though I purpose return-
ing home to-morrow, cannot do so in time to attend this
meeting. As regards the income tax, I confess Ido not
know at present as to what and how is the fairest and most
just way of levying such; of this, however, I am quite
convinced, that as at present levied it is not only, most
unjust in principle, but most inquisitorial, tyrannical, and
oppressive in the process of exaction, and rather than re-
tain it in its present shape I should be ready to support in
the House of Commons any motion tending, not only to
the reduction, but even the abolition of it. As to the in-
crease of is. 4d. until April, 1856, I look upon it as being
neither more nor less than an artful dodge of Government
to fleece the people a year longer than they ought to be.
Againmain yours
G. WALDO SIBTHORP."
Addresses were delivered and resolutions proposed, and
a petition forwa adopted condemning the present tax and
prayingeither
lir an abolition or reduction of the same,
and was signed on behalf of the meeting by the mayor.
A public meeting of the inhabitants of Taunton was held
at the Guildhall on Friday, presided over by the bailiffs
of the borough (Mr. Parsons and Lieutenant-Colonel
Todd), for the purpose of considering the propriety of
petitioning Parliament for the repeal of the income tax.
Mr. E. RoSSITER moved the first resolution :
" That the continuance of the present charge of 16d. in
the pound levied on income and the mode of assessment
would be oppressive and unjust, and as the understanding
at the time of passing the acts of Parliament by which the
tax was increased was that they were to continue in force
for one year after the termination of the war, and no longer,
this meeting is of opinion that the acts of Parliament
ought to be repealed on and after the sth of April next."
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. H. TBENCHARD moved, and Mr. Hi vrtcocfc
seconded, the next resolution, which was adopted as
follows :
" That the present system of levying the income tax by
taxing permanent and precarious incomes alike is mani-
festly unjust; that this mode of assessment has been sub-
mitted to from time to time under the impression that the
tax was only for a temporary purpose, and that this meeting
hereby pledges itself to use every legitimate means to
obtain a more equitable adjustment of the tax and an im-
provement in the mode of assessment."
A petition to Parliament, founded on the resolutions,
was adopted.

An account of Sir Charles Napier's Baltic Campaign'
proceeding horn the pen of the admiral himself, is about
to be published.
The great Univers trial in Paris, which was to bate
been resumed on Saturday, has again been put off, and
now stands for Tuesday next.

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