The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1841-01-16

TIC debt, upon the lst Of February next
of perhaps Sso0,ooo.- This, as well
as every other sobject relating 10 the
revenue, belongs so exclusively to the
Legislative branch of the government,
that all recommendation of the Exec
utive can be required, 10 bespeak for
it the necessity for some special legis.
lation in relation to its future disburse-
ment.
1t is computed that the tax which
will be rendered available under the
act of the llth of June, 1s4o, entitled
"An &C. to create additional revenue
to be applied towards the payment Of
interest, and the extinguIshment Of
the debts of the Commonwealth" will
amount to about 100000. The sum
which will be raised under this Act,
together with the other resources Of
the Commonwealth, will most preba-
bly, liquidate the interest account,
without further resort to loans for that
purpose. This act is to continue 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 articles taxed
are those purely ofluxury, such as gold
watches, pleasure carriages, household
furniture exceeding in value three hun
dred dollars, together with bonds, bills
and notes of solvent oblgors, bank
stock or stock in other corporations,
yielding dividends of at least one per
cent, salaries Of public officers, and
real estate. Although this act undoubt-
edly operates with considerable hard
ship upon those who fail within reach
Of its provisions, still they are compar-
atively, subjected TO very little incsn-
venence, for in most instances they
do not belong te the poorer classes, on
whom taxatien usually falls with the
most peculiar severity.
To impose taxes on any class of our
fellow citizens is not very agreeable,
n2FF n This rsEy saEyep paRpSr Es task but when, as
of Pennsylvania must De sacrificed, or
a tax of this kind be endured, there are
few. very few men in the Common
wealth werthy to be ranked among
| her free, intelligent and upright citi-
zens, who will shrink from their share
of the burthen.-When, too, i, is known
that those who recommended, and whs
sanctioned the bill imposing the tax,
are no more responsible for the neces-
sity that compelled resort to it, than
any of those who are to pay it, the fol-
ly and injustice of those who would
condemn, are rendered still more con-
spicuous. found 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 respon-
sibility but further loans, a sale of the
| improvements or taxation. The first
two were impracticable, and was
driven by stern necessity to the adop-
! tien Of the latter alternative. ! saw
but one path before me open to pursuit,
and that was the path of duty. ] re-
commended taxation; that recommen-
dation was adopted by the Legislature,
and il is source of proud qualification
| 10 me, when | consider that the peo-
| pie of Pennsylvania, almost 10 a man,
so far as have been informed, with a
frmness and patriotism worthy Of
themselves, have yielded to this neces-
sity without murmur or replning. |
feel fully convinced, that at the expi-
ration Of the five years at farthes', with
a reasonable degree Of prudence, and
with strict economy in the manage
ment of our affairs, the income of cur
improvements will render renewal
Of this law wholly unnecessary.
If any difference of opinion exists,
as to the necessity ofthis tax, let these
questions be answered by those OBJ
jecting: Does not Pennsylvania owe
this debit Is she not morally sand le.
gally bound TO pay it and its interest,
as it falls duet Can they point out
any other mode by which this can be
donel
You, however, have come directly
from the people, and are supposed
best to know their opinions on this as
well as all other subjects; aud if you
IL Gs,. .,, oy,.r,;,,, vvr,t, ~. an 4hts i'm