Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-03-13
From The Vermont Republican,.

MIR. ELDREDGE. Sir Il see by Il late pnper
from Washington, that Mr.. SMITH, from Yer.
mont, gave notice that on The following dav he
should ask leave TO bring in bill taking off The
duly now paid upon salt. | am of opinion this
subject is not generally understood, nor am Ger.
tain fully understand it NJ, self. | wish however
10 state the facts as believe them 10 be, and leave
it TO the better informed TO correct mistakes if
should make anv. Salt Of recolect rgh, now
paws duty Of 10 cents. every fli,.siX pounds,
amounting probably nearly forty per cent, on The
orig nal cost Of the article. This enormous duty
falls principally upon The grazing sections of the
country, and effects most deeply The Green Noun
tain State. The amount drawn from us by this duty
j have no means of ascerraining, but should think
il was over thirty thousand dollars per year. This
sum is principally paid by The farmers and is IA
heavy tax upon the produce.
At The adjustment Of the tariff the duty upon salt
was continued on the ground that it would afford
projection TO our western salt and encourage The
manufacture OF that article, but in this il has en-.
iirely failed.
The principal part Of the salt manufactures at
the West finds its way to market through tho ives.
tern canal. The State of New Yok owns ex Ten
sive salt springs. from which that S,a,e derives no
inconsiGeabe revenue In order TO sustain in
market The salt manufactured AZ the springs belong
ing 10 the Stale, their egisalure have laid upon
salt manufactured elsewhere a heavy canal duty
This increases the sale OF salt made AT the public
works aud adds TO The revenue of the State from
that quarter while the revenue is also increased by
The high tolls paid upon all olher sail passing
through the canal The result is that the people
OF Vermont who support their State Government
by direct taxation have to pay an additional tax
upon salt Of thirty or forty IDnusand dollars u YEAR
in order to enable the Empire STATE to supper, her
government, without taxing her citizens. If am
right in the facts IA more unjust and infamous sys
TEN Of Stale monopoly never existed, and vet this
system, has nned for years and the attention of
Congress not once called 10 The subecr. until Mr
SMITH gave notice that he should isk leave 10
bring in bill, &c, hope every one WIN road.
TINS article VIII endea'er to obtain correct informa
ton in this matter or have long been of opinion
mat u me people would be little less excited bv
inc political iooeres q the day and attend a liule
more 10 Tue substantial interests of the coun,rv
though II might not Ne profitable to the fem i
would be highly beneficial 10 the manu- Ymrs
STEPHEN S. BROWN.
From The Franklin Messenger.
Mr.. WHITING,-My attention has bcon
called to a letter Of the Hon. Stephen S.
Brown, recently published in the yer
mont Republican, on the subject of sal,
duties, canal tolls, &C., which | will
thank you to publish in the Franklin
Messenger, together with this commune
cation, as may otherwise be liable to
the charge of misrepresenting the state
ments contained in that letter.
MIR. Brown considers the duties on sal,
as extremely onerous, and oppressive to
the people of Vermont; and though he
admits that he is not certain that he fully
understands the subject, yet he proceeds
10 TAX the credulity Of the people, by ma