The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-12-14

son between the small and the larg, State
throughout the Union thus realizing to
the small States an advantage which would
he doubtless as I'm cceptab.e 10 them as a
motive for incorporating the principle in
a'y system which would produce it, as il
would be moons steut with the rights and
expectations Of the large States. II was,
certainly the intention Of that provision Of
the Constitution which declares that all
duties, imposts, ard excises," shall be
/" uniform throughout the United States"
to make the burdens oftaxation fall equally
upon the people in whatever State Of the
Union they may reside.
But what would be the value of such
an uniform rule il moneys raised by It
could be Immediately returned by a dif-
ierent one which will give to the people
Of some States much more, and to those
Of others much less than their fair proper.
ton? Were the Federal Government to
exempt, in express terms, the imports,
products, and manufactures Of some por-
,ions of the country from all dYties; while
It imposed heavy ones on others, the in
Justice could not be greater. 1t would
be easy to show how, by the operation Of
such principle, the large Suites of the
/ Union would not only have to Contribute
heir Just share towards the support ofthe
Federal Government, but also have to
bear in some degree the taxes necessary
to support the Governments Of their sma.
Ter sisters but it is deemed unnec essary
to state the Getuils where the general prin-
ciple is so obvious.
A system liable to such objections can
never be supposed to have been sanction.
ed b. the trainers Of the constitution.
when they conferred on Congress the
taxing power: and | feel persuaded that
n mature examination OF the subject will
satisfy every one that there are insurmoun.
table difficulties in the operation of any
plan which can BE- devised of collecting
revenue for the purpose of distributing it.
Congress Is ohly authorized to levy taxes,
" to pay the debts and provide for the
common defence and general welfare Of
the United State :"
There is no such provision as would
authorize Congress TO collect together
The property Of the country, uldcr The
name Of revenue for the purpose Of divi-
ding j, equally or uuequally among the
States or the people. Indeed, it is not
probable that SUCH an idea ever occurred
10 ,hs States when they ad,p.ed the con-
stitution. But, however this may be, the
only safe rule for us in interpreting the
powers granted to the Federal Govern
mcnt, is to regard the absence ofexpIess
authority to touch a subject so important
and delicate as this, is as equivalent TO a
prohibition. Even our powers were
less doubtful in this respect, as the Con.
st,tution now stards, there are considera.
tions Afforded by recent experience, which
would seem to make it our duty TO avoid
II resort 10 such system.
All will admit that the simplicity and
economy of the State Governments, main
Iy depend on the fact that money has to
be supplied tn support them by the same
men, The or their agents, who vote it away
in appropriations. Hence, when there
are extravagant and wasteful appropra-
tons, there must be II corresponding in
crease Of taxes and the people, becom-
ing awakened. will necessarily scru;lnse
crease their burdens. BY the wntchful
eve of self interest, the agents of the peo-
pie in the State Governments are reprcs-
scd, and kept within the limits of n just
economy. But ifthc necessity of levying
the taxes be taken from those who make
the appropriations, and thrown upon n
distant and less responsible set Of public
agents. who have power to approach the
people hy an indirect and steallhy taxa
ton, there is n reason to fear that prodi-
gality will soon supercedc ,li0se churac-
teristics which have thus far made us look
with so much pride and confidence to the
State Governments as the main stay of
our Union aud liberties. The State Leg
isIatures, instead of studying to restrict
their State expenditures To the smallest
possible sum, will claim credit for their
profusion, and harass the General Gov
ernment for increased supplies. Prac-
tically, there would soon be but one tax
ing power, and that vested in body of
men far removed from the people, in
which the farming ard mechanic inter-
ests would scarcely he represented. The
States would gradually lose their purity
as well as their independence /; they
would not dare to murmur at the pro-
ceedings of the General Government, lest
they should lose their supplies all would
be merged in practical consolidation,
cemen,ed by widespread corruption,
which could only be cradicated by one of
those bloody revolutions which OCCASION
ally overthrow the despotic systems of the
old world.
In all the other aspects in which have
been able to look ut the effect of such a
principle of distribution upon The bes, in
terests or the country, l can see nothing
to compensate for the disadvantages to
which | have adverted. Ii we consider
the protective duties, which are, in great
degree, the source of the surplus revenue
hpne6ci,l In nup sectiou uf the Vniou