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

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bouses amt public stores. for future and unfore'
seen contingencies Of all sorts, including those
of temporary collisions with foreign powets
or the Indian tribes, the clear revenue ut hi
ten millions seems to cover all that can be re-
quired for. national expenditures in ordinary
times. This sum, it will be remarked. II that es'
tmated as the proper permanent revenue OF the
Nation by the Secretary OF the Treasury IN bis
reports Of the last and present year.
But in making this estimate this sum is assum-
ed by the Committee, not as absolu ely necessa.
~ for the support ut Government, but a being
liberal and abundant. Looking mainly to the
providing safe, permanent. and honorable reve-
nue.. not to the extreme possible limit OF expense,
they have not sought to find the lowest sum to
which rig,dly economical administration, Sc
conded by legislation Of Congress equally VI
gilant over the Treasury, GUILD reduce national
expenditure, but have wished to secHre a regular
income. amply sufficient, not only for providing
on oeral scale for every object "lthin the jv-t
limits of federal legislation, that can advance she
honor or prosperity Of nation loving peace. yet
prepared for war, but moreover to leave snch
balance, after defraying the ordinary charges ct
Government, as may meet any Unusual and M
expected demands, other than those which you'll
arise from a state Of regular and long continued
warfare. The chance, too. OF an accidental and
temporary diminution OF revenue Tor year or
two, arising from the fluctuations nt trade, ar the
political changes of foreign nations, presents al
80 another strong argument for assuming liberal
scale of revenue.
To this annual amount, however, OF fifteen
millions, the revenue must he reduced. All be-
yond this must be needless burden upon the
people-a tax falling. directly or indirectly upon
the land aud labor of the country. certainty inJur-
Gus in its effects, and probably unequal, enabling
the Treasury only to divide and distract our pub.
lie councils by tempting to expenditures either
of doubtful constitutional right, or Inconsistent
with the simplicity of republican institutions,
staining their purity, and haZardlng their perlna.
hence.
The act Of 1882 has made partial reduction
towards this point. But under this act the
enue from the customs for the next year calcu-
lated in the Report of the Secretary OF the Urea
sury is about eighteen millions. This IS made
upon an estimate founded on the average import.
alton Of the last six years. The probable aver
age Of the next six years for reasons which will
be hereafter stated, will exceed tina, estimate
If to this sum be added the income from the rnb-
lie lands, the Treasury would receive, under
that act, revenue, for some years hereafter, OF
not less than twenty millions and a half, and
probably of more than twenty five millions, ex-
hibiing an annual excess Of from five to nine
millions over the just uses of the Government,
taxing every family in the United States to its
share, or more than It's share, OF that uncaled tor
excess.
This excess, in the opinion Of The Committee.
should be reduced by the present Congress. and
at the present time. The extinguishment OF the
debt. and the commencement Of the new Presi.
dental term mark this fit season for perma-
nent fiscal regulations. 1t is vitality important
too, to all engaged in any of those numerous
commercial, manufacturing, or agricultural en-.
terprizes. which are affected by changes in the
rates Ut import, and are more exp"sed to suffer
from uncertainty than even from error in legls.
lalon, now to know the intention and policy OF
this government IN regard TO their several inter-
ests The occasion, too, of er Onomical reduction
afords propitious opportunity TO make such
re-adiustnent of the rates OF impost as may dis
tribute and eQuaIize, amongst all, those burthcns
which - NAV be found 10 fall unrquaIIy upon
any"-whetter pressing with peculiar hardship
upon any class of the community, any species
of labor or any section Of the country.
Deeply impressed by these considerations, the
Committee have prepared bill for reducing,
and otherwise altering the rates OF duties upon
foreign merchandise, which, should it meet with
the appreciation of Congress. may serve as ba.
sis for our financial system for manv years.
Throwing out of view for the present. the pro-
gressve reduction that expectancy and even
justice may require, they have fixed the revenue
10 be ultimately raised at sum not exceeding
fifteen millions. The stocks owned BY Govern
ment, they regard solely as an Offset to the re.
manning debt.
Neither justice, nor any principle of liberal pc.
l,y. can permit. without urgent necessity, that
the Post Office should be made source Of reve.
nue.. 1t should bear its own expense and no
more. Its whole profits should be applied as
they have heretofore been, to the improvement
and extension of the system. giving the greatest
possible facilities at the least possible private
charge to the diffusion Of intelligence and the in
ter hange of corr dependence.
The only lou ccs Of revenue on which the Com.
mittee propose to rely are the PUBLIC LANDS
and the CUsToMs.
The PUBLIC LANDS. at the present sys
tenn of sale. may now safely be calculated as
producing an annual income OF iico millions and
a haC
II is true that various plans for disposing of
,bosa I,p,I, in such a manner n Withdraw the |