Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-08-03
DIRECT TAXATION.

The people of America in a fair way of
coming to direct taxation to sustain the federal gov
eminent. By the favorite policy of Calhoun and
the South, the tariff Las been reduced by the
specie circular, the revenue from lands has been
reduced also ; and 10y federal extravaganza, the
expenditures have been for three years, and now
nre vastly beyond the annual receipts. How is
this to be remeded? Let us have a tariff, say
we, which will at one and the same time raise
revenue, and enhance the Interests of the taxpay-
ing people, by protecting and encouraging labor.
But what says the administration 1t is anti.
tariff; it is bound, hands aud feet to the Nullif
ers and lis only resort must be di ec taxation.
This, in fact was suggested in the last report OF
Secretary Woodbury.; and this measure has been
openly proclaimed in Congress by on adminstra.
ton man, MIR. Rhett of S. C. In a word, the
men who are for cutting down wages and the
value of property, seem to he preparing next to
put their hands in our pockets TO subtract, by di-
rect taxation, from the little we are to have left.
What think ye?
This subject is briefly but ably reviewed by
Hon. G. CUSHING, member of the House Of Rep
resentatves in the following letter addressed TO
of Bunkers Hil in celebration of the 4th Of Ju-
ly.
WASHINGTON, 29lh June, 1910
Gentlemeu,-l have the honor TO acknowledge
the receipt OF your invitation to attend the cells
bralion Of the approaching Fourth OF July, at
Cambridge, and regret that my official engage
mens here prevent my attending this or any 9th.
er OF the celebrations Oflhat day in Massachusetts.
| Permit me, however, 10 embrace this occasion
l a fh ....l,
citizens at large, some suggestions on topic of
great interest and appertaining 10 the political
questions of the time.
Ii has been one of the vicious characteristics of
the present Administration, and of its predeces-
sor TO be perpetunlly eddng with the business
interests of the country, in order to try some en-
pircal experiment of its own on the vilals of the
community; one project following another, each
more absurd than the other and all successfully
resulting in utter failure. The dictates of wisdom,
the lessons OF experience, have gone for nothing
| in the eyes of the administration. Ere this letter
| reaches you, its last experiment, that of absolute
ly separating the interests of the Government
from those of the People, in professed imitation
of the policy OF the corrupt and lettering despo
tstns of Europe and Asia, and reducing the cur.
rency and the wages of labor 10 their standard,
will, | suppose, have become the law Of the aud.
But limitations have been thrown out, and
have some fears, that this experiment, IF the peo-
pie lamey submit to it, and if they do not, rs |
trust they will bring forth the Cncinnatus of the
North Bend TO expe the Gauls from the capitol,)
is to be followed by another not less disastrous in
its nature and TO this desire to call the atlen.
ton of my countrymen, that il may contribute,
with other Inducements, TO nerve them IN the
struggle TO put down the present administration.
In the report of the Secretary Of the Treasury,
on the Finances, of the Sd December, 1889, is the
following significant passage:
M han linn IN those
gress cannot, consistently with its views of duty
TO the country, adopt the course suggested, and
restrict the amount of appropriations, whether or
binary or extraordinary, TO the certain current
revenue the only remaining causes winch seem
defensible are these; Either to provide Tor recall
ling portions OF the public money now deposited
with the States or 10 establish an adequate system
of direct taxation, or at once resort to the couiin
gent power contemplated in the existing avs con.
corning the tariff, when changes become necessa-
nv for PURPOSES of revenue, aud restore the duty
on several articles of luxury now free"
! beg Won 10 mark the words have underscor
| ed and TO reflect on their ominous import.
The hint, which they contain, Of what the pur.
poses OF this administration, if il be allowed 10 re-
main in power, may be, acquires from the
! fact that very distinguished Southern friend and
advocate of the Su3treasnry bill, (Mr. Rhett, re.
Gently, in the pending debate on that subject,
vowed himself in favor OF HE Substitution Of d.
rect tdreS, ia tHo P'"'o " uuues "h ,"p"''s' w
provide means to carry on the Federal Govern
! ment.
| shall not discuss this future new project in the
obvious and familiar point of view, of its runons
operation upon the industry Of the country, by
placing this at the mercy of foreign nations. In
this respect, il is a worthy companion ofihe pres.
ent project, of reducing the wages of labor in
this country to the standard of those very foreign
nations Your own reflection, and the DISGUST
lions OF the day kindred topics, will indicate TO
you the blasting influence which the substitution