Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-09
March s.

The House proceeded to the consideration
OF the order of the day, viz the report of
the committee OF Ways and Means On the
WAR TAXES.
Mr.. MKim's motion to rc-commit to a
committee of the whole. the resolution en-
bracing a tax on whiskey, for the purpose
OF amending it, heing still under coasidera-
ton
Messrs. Grundy and Findley opposed, and
Messrs. M'Kim, Wright Fisk and Widge-
ry, supported the motion.
The arguments for and against the motion
to-day, as well as yesterday, were grounded
on the expediency or inexpedency of an ex-
else tax on whiskey. On the one one hand
it was said, that if the proposed tax of TWEEN
ty-hve and twenty-eight cents per gallon on
distilled spirits were to take effect, it would
produce revenue of FIVE or six millions of
dollars, and preclude the necessity of other
taxes that it would eventually be paid by
the consumer, and would, therefore, operate
equally; that domestic spirits ought to be
taxed little when the duty on foreign spi-
rits was about to be doubled, as there is no
reason why man who drinks brandy or rum
and water should be made to pay double
price, while the whiskey drinker paid no.
thing; that the excise system was already
proposed as TO fine sugar, and might be cx-
tended to whiskey with much less inconveni-
ence than would result from the collection
of the variety of small taxes proposed by the
committee of Ways and Means.
On the other hand remarks were made on
the severity with which this tax would one
rate on those who already have to bear the
chief burden with the least ability to pay it)
of the land tax, viz. the people Of the wes-
tern country; that considering the paucty
Of their saleablc productions in the western
country, tax on Whiskey which would put
stop to its distilla;inn, would wholly disable
them from paying the land tax that it was
besides previously heavy, partial and unequal
The evils of an excise system were depicted
in vivid colors; and it was said that although
any tax on Ihiskey was unjust and some
what oppressive, they were willing 20 incur
the responsibility of tax on stills rather
than defeat the great work in which the ma
ton was engaged.
Mr.. Randolph moved a recommtmeDt Of
the whole report to n committee of the whole.
This motion was supported by the mover
at considerable length, and opposed by Mes
sieurs Aston, Cheycs, Calhoun and Macon.
This debate occupied the whole Of the re-
mainder of this days session, and shall here
after appear, together with what preceded it.
The recommitment was supported on the
ground that the budget Of taxes reported was
ofthe most oppressive character that more
over they we're unnecessary and impulitic,
because Congress had only to repeal their
own restrictive law, and revenue would
accrue to the United States to a much grel-
ter amount than was contemplated to be pro-
vded BY the taxes under consideration o.
Their considerations were introduced into de-
bate. which, not relating Immediately to the
question before the House, will be better nm
derstood when the DEBATE shall be published
at length.
In reply it was urged that the gentle
mans project was peace project, and not
calculated for the eXigency; that besides it