The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-11 00:00:00

THE INCOME TAX BATTLE OF 1816.

The following account of the remarkable income-
tax struggle in 1816 is extracted from the introduc-
tion to " Lord Brougham's speeches in the House
of Commons," and will be read with interest at the
present time :

" On the termination of the war the Government
were determined, instead of repealing the whole in-
come tax, which the act enforcing it declared to be
' for and during the continuance of the war and no
longer,' to retain one-half of it, that is, to reduce
it from ten to five per cent., and thus keep a re-
venue raised from this source of between seven and
eight millions, instead of fifteen. As soon as this
intention was announced several meetings were
held, and two or three petitions were presented.
The Ministers perceived the risk they ran, if the
policy should be pursued, of continued discussion
for a length of time, and they saw the vast impor-
tance of despatch. Accordingly, the Chancellor of
the Exchequer gave notice on the Tuesday for his
motion on the Thursday immediately following.
The Opposition took the alarm, and Mr. Brougham
declared, on presenting a petition, unanimously
_signed, from one of the London parishes, that if the
hurry now indicated should be persevered in, he
should avail himself of all the means of delay
afforded by the forms of the house.
inLord Folke-
stone, one of the most strenuous, and, those days,
one of the most active and powerful,
supporters of
the popular cause, vigorously seconded this menace,
in which he entirely joined. On the next day more
petitions were flung in, more discussions took place
and the Government postponed for a week the in,-
troduction of the bill. That week proved quite de-
cisive, for so many meetings were held, and so many
petitions sent up, that the bill was put off from
time to time, and did not finally make its appear-
ance till the 17th of March. Above six weeks were
almost entirely spent by the House of Commons
in receiving the numberless petitions poured in
from all quarters against the tax. For it was
speedily seen that.the campaign of 1812 was re-
newed, and that the same leaders, Messrs.
Brougham and Baring, had the manageinent of the
operations.
"At first the ministers pursued the course of
obstinate silence. The Opposition debated each
petition in vain ; every Minister and ministerial
member held his peace. No argument, no facts,
no sarcasms, no taunts, could rouse them ; no ex-
pressions of the country, no reference to the anxiety
of part;cular constituencies, could draw a word
from the Ministers and their supporters. At length
it was perceived that antagonists did not the less
debate, and that consequently the scheme had in
its purpose stifling discussion. The only effect
o! it then was, that all the debating was on one
side, and this both became hurtful to the Govern-
ment in the house, and more hurtful, still
teintrhee_
country. They were forced into discussion, b
fore ; and then began a scene of unexampled irate-
rest, which lasted until the second reading of the
ne es
bill. Each night, at a little after four,
the series of debates, which lasted until
commenced
ne cmid-
night. These were of infinite variety.
urged by different speakers ' • instances of oppres-
sion and hardship recounted ;- anecdotes of local
suffering and personal inconvenience
„accounts of
the zemarkable passages At different meetings ;
personal altercations interspersed with, more gene-
ral matter—all filled up the measure of the night's
bill cf fare ; and all were so blended and so varie-
gated, that no one ever perceived any hour thus
spent to pass tediously away. Those not immedi-
ately concerned, peers, cr persons belonging to
neither house, flocked to the spectacle
o f
doors w
khei cpht
pe as co he
day presented. The interest out
with that of the spectators • and those who carried
on these active operations
an
sllowed a vigour and con-
stancy of purpose,unwearied readiness for the
combat, which astonished while it animated all be-
holders. It is recounted of this remarkable strug-
gle that one night
when
wards the latter end of the
period in question,
h
having been in en at a late hour, the House
debate
from four o'clock, one speaker
had resumed his seat, the whole members sitting
upon one entire bench rose
at once and addressed
the chair—a testimony of
unabatel spirit and un-
quenchable animation, which drew forth the loudest
cheers. from all sides of the House.
" At length came the 17th of March, the day
appointed for the division, but it was soon found
that this had been, with the debate, wholly
antici-
pated. The usual number of petitions, and even
more, were poured thickly in during some hours ;
little or no debating took place upon them :
, un-
usual anxiety for the result of such long continued
g
I labour, and such lengthened excitement, kept all
silent and in suspense, when about 11 o'cl
William Curtis, representing the City of clock Sir
proceeded up the House, bearing in his arms the
petition, which he presented without any remark,
of the great meeting of the bankers and
al
holden in the Egyptian-hall, and signed
ibeyrethwasialtss
thousand persons. The division tookpiace after a
no one
for the could
debate that did not last half an hour ;
atient
indeed be heard in an assembly so imp
division ; and by a majority
of 37 voices the tax
was defeated for ever, and the wholesome principle,
together.''
down, as Mr. Wilberforce well observed, tided
that war and income tax are wedded ogether."

_z__.
THE CIVIL _________
last the charges on the
FIST.— the year ended the 31st Dec.
consolidated fund for the_civil
list
E was
A ti
c4lOpOA,
T 9,30711, .
01P05THE DUTCH SLAVES.—It i 8 said
(states a letter from the Hague) that when the Second
Chamber resumes its labours, the Government will pie-
sent to it a bill for granting the necessary funds for the
eventual emancipation of the slaves in the West Indies
AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY FOR AUSTRALIA.
Messrs.
Richmond and Chandler, of Salford, areA n s nowra-
manufacturing a number of implements for the
useful
lian colonies, amongst which there are several
and novel inventions,
labour is scarce calculated to parce a
rove exceedingly
useful useful in Zountries where
dear.—
Manchester Gum dian.
now winding up.
the Saxon Life Assurance Society,
Mr. Turquand has been appointed official manager o,
Creditors are required to prove theireclaims before Vice-
Chancellor Wood, who has fixed th 20th inst. for con-
sidering them.
THE STEAMER RAYENSBOURNE.—It is stated that tte
steamer Rs.venshourne,
amount of silver on board thde
together with a portion
or seven thousand pounds. This, the loss of which was reportTamsy,esterday, was about Fix
be a total loss.
of the cargo, is understoodill to have been saved ; but it
is feared that the vessel w
PASSING TOLLS BdleLbr.t. This bill was issued yesterday,
e
on passing tolls be paid out of
It provides
Ad iralty ; transfer of po vvers of wah; 1
Harbour to the A
tmo Admiralty • transfer of Ramsgate
moneys to be pthroavtided by Parliament ; transfer of Dover
den and assistants
NI Ruder
; Ramsgate Harbour to
At at,g Chi the unalageme ___ Aar4 0 Trikdoi 49, -- - - ,
Harbour to the Crown