Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1815-12-14
1O,167,596 81

70 supply this deficit Of 10,167 $50 81
dollars TO provide an additional sum for
the contingencies of the year; and to &C
celebrate the nscal measures which were
sential TO the prose cution of the war, in
1915, the intcrpostion of the legislature was
deemed indispensable. The plan OF finance
which was precicated upon the theory ofde
fray;ng the extraordinary expenses OF the
war by successive loans, had already be-
come imperative. The product of the re-
venues had ceased TO furnish an amount e.
quail to the expenditure of the former peace
establishment, with an addition of the inte-
rest upon the debt contracted on account of
war. And the sudden suspension of specie
payments at the principal banks established
in the different states (however it NAV be
excused CT justified by the apparent ne
cess,y Of tic sase) had exposed the govern
rnent, as well as private citizens, to all the
inconvenience ola variable currency. de-
void alike of national authority, and of ma
tional circulation. The treasury could no
longer transfer lis funds frora place 10
place and it became, OF ConrSe, impracti-
cable 70 maintain the accustomed punctu-
Atty in the payment of the public engage
meats.
Under these circumstances, the congress
was convened by the special call Of the Pre-
sident, in September, 1814-when the citi-
zans of every occupation and pursuit, seem
cd carer TO second the legislative effort,
To replenish an exhausted treasury, and to
Tenovate the pubic credit. Commerce
continued to contribute, perhaps, to the ex-
tent of its capacity. Agriculture, though
suffering the want Of a vent for some IF It's
important staples, was every where pre-
pared for the requisite exertion. D0nes-
-, ,.rNt
mounted tie first struggle for existence,
yielded 60 the patriotic impulse-And the
capital Of individuals, in all its variety Of
form, offered ready tribute to relieve the
necessities OK the country. Thus, during the
session which comm enced in Septemr er
1914, and closed Oh the third Of March,
1915.
I. The following internal duties were in
creased in their amount the dut es were
rendered permanent and the general
pledge was applied to them:
/. The direct tax was raised to an annu-
FL sum OF six millions Of dollars and
il wGs extended 10 the district of Co
!utnbia.
9. The duty on carriages was raised,
and duty on the harness was added.
8. The duty On licences TO distillcrs of
spjTituous liquors was continued, and
: duty on the spirits distilled was adj
drd.
H. The duties on sales at auction. and on
licences 70 retail wines, sDirituous IL
quOrs and foreign msrChandzc, were
raised.
8. The rates Of postage were raised so
per cert.
Q. The fcllowing new duties we're per-
mancutly laid, ard the general pledge was
applied to them But it was at the same
tirae DECLARED, that 50 long as the duties
imposed on The articles Of domestic IN sru-
f,cturc should continue to be lad, the da-
ties tlsu payable ca the like description
81 goods imported Into the United States,
sgau'd Got be discontinued or diminished.
J. Duties On varjeus articles manufac-
tatsd CT made TOR sale, within the u
ai,sd STATS, Ok Their scrritef.es as