Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-01-24

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hroueht into action, will be found amply
sufficient to meet the present emergency.
With respect to internal taxes, the whole
amount TO beyaised is so moderate, when
compared ekhNr with the population and
wealth Of the United States, or with the
burthens laid on European nations by their
governments, that 10 doubt exists OF the
ability or will of the people pay without
any real inconvenience, and with cheerful
ness, the proposed WAR TAXES. For
it is still hoped, that the ordinary heace
revenue of the United States will be sutfl-
cient to reimburse, within reasonable pc
Rod, the loans obtained during the war, and
that neither perpetual and increasing
public debt, nor a permanent system OF
ever progressing taxation, shall be entailed
on the nation. These evils cannot, how
ever, be otherwise avoided than by the
speedy organization OF certain revenue.
Delays in that respect, and reliance on IN
definite loans to defray the war expendl-
ture, the ordinary expenses OF government,
and the interest on the loans themselves,
would be equally unsafe and ruinons; would
in short time in ure public credit, impair
the national resources, and Ultimately rem
der much heavier and perpetual taxes alb
solutely necessary.
Of the gross amount of five millions OF
dollars, to be now provided according to the
preceding estimates, by internal taxatlon'
it is respectfully proposed, that three mil
lions should be raised by direct tax, and
two millions by indirect taxes.
IL. ,of
sidering the increase of population, be
much greater direct tax, than that Of two
millions voted in the year 1913. To- this,
permit me to add another view of the sub
ject.
The direct taxes laid by the several
states, during the last years CT the revolu-
tionary war, were generally more heavy
than could be paid with convenience. But
during the years 1885 to 1889 an annual dl-
rect tax of more than 100000 dollars
Is 2OS,lS9) was raised in Pennsylvania,
which was not oppressive, and was paid
with great punctuality. The increase of
population Of that state, between the years
1887 and 1912, is in the ratio of about to 9.
A tax of 100000 dollars payable in the year
1873, is not higher in proportion to popula-
ton alone, and without regard even to the
still greater increase Of wealth and OF cir
culating medium, than tax OF 100000
dollars was in the year 1887. But the
quota Of Pennsylvania, on tax OF three
millions of dollars, will Counting Orleans
as state,) hardly exceed S365,o0o. The
proposed tax will, therefore, SO far as re-
lates to Pennsylvania, BE near 90 per cent.
lighter in proportion to the respective po-
pulation, than that paid during the years
1885 to 1889.
The rule of apportionment, prescribed
by the constitution, operates with perhaps
as much equality as is practicable, in rela-
ton to states not materially differing In
wealth and situation. 1t may therefore be
inferred, thar direct tax which is not
greater than Pennsylvania can pay with ia
cility, will not press heavily upon any OF
the other Atlantic states. 1t is only IN re-
ference to the western states, that the con-
stitutional rule of apportonment, according
to the respective number ofinhabitants in each
state, may be supposed to be unequal. Pe-
ing at greater distance from market, AID
having, on account of the recent date OF THEN
settlements, less accumulated capital, it il
certainly true, that they cannot, in proportion
to their population, pay as much, or with the
same facility, as the Atlantic states. Two
considerations. viii, however, much diminish
the weight, if they do not altogether obviate
that objection.
|. Ofthe articles actually consumed in the
western states, there are two OF general con-
sumption, on which duties are laid, or pro-
posedto be laid, and on which, being articles
produced in those states, they will pay nothing
or less than the Atlantic states. On salt, they
will paw nothing, as the whole quantity con
sumed there is of domestic erign and this
observation affords all argument In favor Of
the restoration of the duty on that article, since