Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-26

prOntOliInns anu all.
come now to the schemes advocated by the
gentleman himself. To take Oft the duties en-
tirely FROM all the unprote rted articles, except
wines and silks, and-leave them as they are upon
the protected articles.
The first objection to this scheme is that it is
proposed BY it 10 take off only S6,OO0,Q0O OF tax
es, even after the treasury to be relieved from
a charge Of $4,000. 600 by the extinction OF the
public debt That it proposes, therefore, to Gre
ate an annual surplus OF $1,000. 600 beyond the
wants of the Government, not only ~ithout the
smallest necessity, but with the certain effect OF
changing the character Of your Government, and
currupting the people. Why is this surplus to be
created? Has the gentleman given single rea-
son in its favor; has he not himself sealed the
condemnation of his own proposition, when he
admitted that no surplus ought to be created for
distribution; for if II is not to be IN some shape
distributed. for what purpose is it to be raised!
The next objection to this scheme is, that it pro-
poses to relieve Injuries from all taxation, while
the taxes on the necessaries of life to remain
just as they are; subject to duties Of from SO to
100 per cent. 1t Is true that the gentleman. see
ing, presume. the enormity of the proposition
in its original form, now consent that some very
moderate duty may be levied on wines and silks.
But, Sir, ] should be glad to know in what wines
and silks differ from the numerous other articles
which, by the gentleman's scheme, are to come
in duty free. Here is list of some Of them,
and it will be for the Senate and the country to
sawhow far it is reasonable or just, that tire con-
sumers of these articles shall contribute nothing
to the public revenue, while the honest laborins
man is to be taxed from 80 to 100 dollars on eve
ny hundred dollars which he expends on the
woolens and the tlannels, the iron and the sugar,
II hto hoal md mn
fort of himself and family.
cit is one Of the .rsadest farces ever attempt
ed to be played oR upon free people. to see all
attempt made to reduce the taxes on olives ard
capers, anchovies and brandy fruits, mace, cloves,
and nutmegs, precious stones, aIabaster orna-
ments, cordiais. and perfumery, artificial flowers
and billiard balls. battedoors and shuttlecocks,
coral beads and gold snuff boxes, silver specta
cles and ivory headed canes, velvetS and lace.
null muslins and gros de Naples, came's hair
shawls. morocco aud prune la shoes, line cam
bricks, plated chatting dishes. porcelain and Chi
ma dinner and tea sets, gold watches, Cologne
water, Champaign and Burgundy wines. oranges
and pine apples. embroidery. ivory fans, fine
Irish linens. parasols, centre tables. gilt books,
pier looking glasses. vermiceli and macar0nl.
Italian, marble, mantle ornaments, rouge essen
ces and court plaster. chessmen, sweet scented
soap. silk stockings, gold and silver thlmbles.
mantle time pieces, tooth powder. wax dolls, and
hundred nlher things used by the rch-we say,
it is one of the grandes, farces played off up
OF free people. that such articles as those We
have enumerated, should be exempted from TAX
a,,on, whilst iron and sugar, woollen cloth and
flannel, and many other necessaries of life, which
are required to render the situation OF our work
ing people comfortable, should continue to BIZ
heavily and unequally burdened."
ask for the reason for thisd! sti notion which
relieves Injuries from taxation, AVID throws Them
upon the necessaries OF litej which burdens the
poor and exeInpts the rich; and |. am told II Is
necessary to protectlon-whose prOtectinn?--
Why, the wealthy iroprietcrs Of manufacturing
stock--men who. are realizing enormous dni
dends, drawn from the packets of the people
Sir, no other reason for this distinction has been
or can be given; for it is acknowledged by all the
world, that luAu'ies are the proper subjects for
taxation, and ought rightfuly to be taxed higher
than the necessares OF life. But here the manu-
facturers interpose their claims, and the claims
of justice are dIsregsrded. Again, Sir, there are
articles of general consumption, at least among
the wealthy, and consumed equally, too. all over
the country; and yet they must come in duty
free, and the whole revenue of the country be le-
We'd ON articles, in relation to which the duties
operate most unjustly and unequally; being. in
truth, bounty to certain portions of the people.
and burden upon others; and yet the Senator
tells US he had hoped that such proposition as
this would not only have met the appreciation of
all parties, but would have been received as a
concession to the complaints of the South. How
it was possible for the gentleman to have induls,
ed such an expectation, am utterly unable to
comprehend Sir, what single concession. or the
slightest approach towards it. is made by such
proposition? Does it consist in agreeing to take
of six millions If taxes, when the demands on
the Treasury are to be reduced to double that
amount? Has the South ever uttered one word
of complaint against the duties which it IS propo
sed TO reducef No. These were imposed for
revenue, and against duties fairly levied for that
purpose, they have never complained. 1t is
against duties, imposed mt for revenue but pro.
lection, that they have been so long and so ear
nestly demonstrating; and to quiet their discon-
tents, the proposition is gravely submitej to take
off all the revenue duties. and to leave the pro-
tecting duties untouched. Sir, it is not SO much
the amount of this tax. IFS inequality and injus-
tce, which has reused the whole South to deter
mined opposition? And how is it proposed to