Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-01-15


August Under this custom it has happened,
that from deficiency of other means, the mo-
nies arising from tolls, auction duties, tax on
collateral inhertances, dividends on turnpike,
bridge, and navigation stocks and escheats,
which had been set apart by law towards the
payment of the interest on the public debt, have
been paid out indiscriminately to meet other
demands upon the Treasury. There will,
therefore, be deficiency in the fund for the
payment of interest on the public debt, upon
the lst February next, of perhaps $S00,O0O.
This, as well as every other subject relating to
the revenue, belongs so exclusively to the le-
gislative branch of the government, that no re-
commentator ofthe Executive can be required,
10 bespeak for it the necessity for some special
legislation in relation to its future disbursement.
1t is computed that the tax which will be
rendered available under the act Of the ! lth
June, 1910, entitled San act to create addition
al revenue to be applied towards the payment
of interest, and the extinguishment Of the debt
of the Commonwealth" will amount to about
$500 600. The sum which will be raised un
der this act, together with the other resources
Of the Commonwealth, will most probably liqui-
date the interest account, without further resort
10 loans for that purpose. This act is TO con-
iinue in force five years, and provides such
rule for the assessment OF taxes, as to fall with
gentle weight on those who are little able to
bear any addition to their expenses. The ar
ticles taxed are those purely OF luxury, such as
gold watches, pleasure carriages, household fur
niture exceeding in value three hundred dollars,
together with bonds, bills, and notes of solvent
obligors, bank stock or stock of other corpora
iions, yielding dividends of at least one per
cent, salaries of public officers, and real estate
Although this act undoubtedly operates with
considerable hardship upon those who fall with
in reach of its provisions, still they are compar-
atively subjected TO every little Inconvenience,
for in the most instances they do not belong to
the poorer classes, on whom taxation usually
fall with the most peculiar severity.
To impose taxes on any class of our fellow
citizens is not very agreeable, nor a very pop
ular task; but when, as in this case, the honor,
and the fidelity of Pennsylvania must be sacri-
feed, or tax of this kind be endured, there are
few, very few men in the Commonwealth, wor-
thy to be ranked among her free, intelligent
and upright cilizens, who will shrink from their
share of the burthen. When, too, it is known
that those who recommended, and who sane
toned the bill imposing the tax, are no more
responsible for the necessity that compelled
resort to it, than any of those who are to pay
ii, the folly and injustice of those who would
condemn are rendered still more conspicuous
| lound the debt upon which this interest was
to be paid in existence, when assumed the
functions of the Executive, and found nothing
to pay it with. The Treasury was exhausted,
and no means left to meet this responsibility
but further loans, sale of the Improvements,
or taxation. The first two were impracticable,
and l was driven by stern necessity to the
adoption of the latter alternative, | saw but one
path before me open TO pursuit, and that was
the path of duty. | recommended taxation :;
that recommendation was adopted by the Le-
gislature, and it is a source of proud gratifca-
;ion to me, when consider that the people of
Pennsylvania, almost to a man, so far as have
been informed, with irmness and patriotism
worthy of themselves, have yielded to this ne
cessity without murmur or repining. | feel
fully convinced, that at the expiration of the
FIVE years at farthest with a reasonable degree
of prudence, and with strict economy in the
management of our affairs, the income of our
improvements will render renewal of this law
wholly unnecessary.
If any difference of opinion exists as to the
necessity Oi Lils tdA, let these questions De an
Swered by those objecting. Does not Penn
sylvania owe this debt? Is she not morally and
legally bound TO pay it and its interest it falls
due? Can they point ou: any other mode by
which this can be done?
You, however, have come directly from the
people, and are supposed best to know their
opinions on this as well as all other subjects;
and if you differ in opinion with me on this
important subject, and think the tax ought not
10 have been laid, ii is your duty to repeal the
law instantly. No part of the tax has yet been
collected. Seeing no other mode of exlricaling
the Commonwealth from the difficulties in
which found II, my views and opinions re-
main unchanged, Yet if the immediate repre-
senlatives of the people think proper to repeal
the law, and can substitute any other mode
less Objectionable, which will promptly meet
the exieency, be ii SO; the responsibility rests
with them.
/ / can never consent, by word or deed, to
countenance the idea that the faith of the State
can be violated by failure to meet her en-
gageLnenis. If there be any in our country