Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-11
RICHMOND, APRIL II.
TAX ON SALT

TAX ON SALT.
We lay before our readers the following Report
this subject submttcdio the U. S Senate on the
18th ult. by Mr.. IoodbiUy of New Hampshire,
who is understood to be the author OF it. The
course oil that gentleman in the Senate; his atlhe-
renee TO, and bold avowal OF, the democratic 1rin-
cipies of MIR. Jefferson, have led to make some
enquiries respecting him. The resul, has been the
more satisfactory, because he represents portion
OF the Union from whose representatives, we have
no, been accustomed TO hear OF late such fearless
| avowals OF doctrines, conflicting in some measure,
with the supposed local interests and feelings of
| that section OF the confederacy Mr.. Woodbury.
are informed, has always belonged 10 the Re-
publicans of the old school. Notwithstanding The
fashionable doctrines OF the day, he has the bold
ness TO think that the federal government is en-
croaching upon the retained rights of the states
and of the peope;' that the constitution is inter
preed by rule broad as to give to the govern
| ment all power, or in other words, power TO do
every thing which, in the canricious opinion of a
changeiu majority, may conluce 10 the s' general
welfare and that check should be put 10 these
alarming constructive usurpations. Amid The uni
versal fanaticism by which Mr.. w has been sur
rounded, he has had te independence TO think that
the states who tolerate slavery are not criminal be-
cause they cannot, at once, deliver themselves
from evil. without mourning sreater-and
4
ourselves, because we best know the extent OF the
evil, and ought TO be the best judges of The remedy
to he applied.
Just and disinteres.ed sentiments ike these and
coming from such quarter cannot hut he graft
flying His report onal.e sat tar contains views
lequally just aud liberal. We recommend it 10 the
Iperusal of our readers. The proaigals or the day
may boot aud sneer at reduction of tax on so
t?tliRg article as salt. Inconsiderabe as ma,
n tie1 n iha
Considerations of justice ard equality; and we
cannot, for a moment believe, that when The iinan-
ces are represented 10 lie in such prosperous CON
dit!on; when our so abundant as 10
temp Congress TO embarl, in schemes to better
the social condition of man. schemes of defence;
OF internal improvement; OF F." National Universe
ties" of d" eNpioration;' and even Of 80 light
houses of the skies 10 reflect Europe, 's light
tor light" at such time, and with means prompt
! ing ihem TO such brilliant adventures, verify we
canno! believe, that Congress deny 10 he great
mass Of the people, and particularly 10 the m;ddlng
classes, who are agriculiurists, so poor boon as
this. If it be small matter as the ,y'odigGls
seem 10 think it, why hesitate moment about the
matter?
The public officer with his snug salary-,he con-
tractor with this rich con,ract-(and there is 4
soodly number of them both;) even the member oil
Congress g h his eight dollars day, During these
| long sessi6ns) all receive their money, whether
It rain or shine; whether the price of labor and
produce tie high or l0lc. Yet, how many OF ihese
favored Jet, will prefer quixotc schemes of ex.
plora;ion'' and light houses in the sLie*, 10 Tho
simple &C, Of equal justice proposed by Mr. Wood.
hury's reporii In he present ADVERTISEMENTS o!
! our commerce, and so long as the unusualls de-
| pressed prices Of agricultural productions should
continue, repeal or even reduction Of the sal;
tax will be most acceptable TO the inisidling and
poorer classes ofsociety. How many OF the tiiler
| OF the soil are there, whose whole disposable pro-
dacc will scarcely buy the salt, iron end steel
and the few groceries they are compelled to have;
Let The reader look through The circle Of his coun.
try acquaintance and see how many of them con.
Enc their purchases 10 these articles Some ara
Fcompeed 10 have a few coarse cloths. Yet. upor
all these articles of first necessity the poor man
the government imposes a ta,, lar beyond that i'm
\ posed upon The foreign luxures which tic iicl
Consume. Is this just? Mr.. w shows that Oh,
consumer paysto the government FOR his salt fhye
hundred times as much as it cost the merchant a
broad. Is such enormous tax imposed upor
any other article OF necessity and why should j
be upon this? Is it because the government want
money TO enter into The pretty srhemes we hay,
mentioned above? But these schemes 10 b.
preferred to the claims of the people for ins;ice
Let US not be told ihsi or own salt boilers wan
protection, and they belong to the brother
hood OF manufacturers, they must have il; am
have it TOO, at this enormous raiei Our salt
boilers need no such protection. Their operation
fare mostly in the west, and if foreign salt on th
sea-foard cost nothing, the price OF transportation
Y woald protect them from It's competition. Bi
heven If II did not efectually do this. what has 90
: Duernaept 10 do with IL? 6 The sum of zoo
government is thus briefly and beautifully give
Nby Mr.. Jefferson. Z" wise an frugal government
which shall restrain men from injlring one anoth
er; shall leave them otherwise free regulate ihe
Z own pursuits of industry and improvement, an
shall not tale from the mouth IF TABOR tic bre0
it has earned"
I There is another expression of this illustr on
|, man of the people, which copy in this place
, Considering The general tendency to multipl
offices GIM dependencies, and TO increase erpeas
( to The ultimate term of5Vrden tchich the citize
can bear, it behooves TO avail ourselves of ever
occasion for taking off the surch0rge; that
never may be seen here that, after leaviTg 10 "a
Dor the smallest portion Of IT'S earnings on tohic
| 1T can subSist, GovEREMENT SHALL. ITSELF
consume he residue IF lChdt it tCas institute
to guard
We have no room at present. further 10 pursi
this subject. We are graiihed that Mr. Woodbur
has taken up, and hope he will persevere in thi.
4 and similar patriotic efforts. The proposition CON
, ing from one Of the representatives OF noriher
state is more likely TO succeed than if it had oriei
uated in the abused region south Of the Potomac
.lf0re anon.
Mr.. Woodbury's able and mastery speech on tn
Panama Mission was Justly entitled 10 the prais
II received from all who read il.
il, Senate ofMc United States
MARCH ~, 1896
Mr. Woodbury., from the Committee on AgrieuI
ture made tie following
RBPoRr:
That this important branch OF our national in
dustry, is now compelled ~ sustain Que burthen
| IL -. =,