The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-19

Barbary war : kept up peace establishment larger
than our present one in proportion 10 the popula-
uon left at the end Of every year real surplus in
the treasury, and, finally, did all this by taxation
which was borne by less than seven millions Of peo-
pie without complaint At the commencement Of
this first period, there was more than million Of
revenue for each million of the population; at the
close of the period there were about two and half
millions Of revenue for every ono million Of the pop
ulation.
Take, now, the second perod-thst Of high du-
ties. During this period, the population ranges
fromnine millions TO eighteen millions. The high
est amount Of is twenty eight millions and
half, while the lowest is ten millions. Two and
half millions Of revenue for each million of people,
Ia the highest proportion; while the lowest proper
lion is less than threequarters Of million Of reye-
nue. for one million of people. In 1874, for each
million of the population, there was one million of
revenuei that is, under the duties Of ls42 averaging
about forty per cent, greater amount Of revenue,
in proportion to the population, paid into the
treasury than in the very FIRST year of Gen. Wash
ington's administration, when the country poor,
and the average rate Of duty from five to seven
per cent During the same year, (ls44,) the amount
Of revenue was, in proportion to the population,
twice and half less than il in the last year of
Mr. Jefferson's administration, when the rate of
taxation only about one-third as high. So much
for the amount Of revenue aeeruing under the two
systems.
But the broadcast contrast between the two periods
is shown in respect to the asadnsss Of the re-
cepts. The vital importance Of this point is OBJ
vious enough. glance at the first table will show
how regularly and constantly the annual income
grew with the population. Beginning with four
and half millions for four millions Of people, it
ended with nearly seventeen millions for seven mil
lions OF people, Behold how all this is changed in
the second period In 1917, the revenue is
s26, -cJ0,O 900. The very next year il falls of
nine millions, coming down to 1000, 900; the
next year rises again to $40 900 OO0 and in two
years more, while the population is increasing, it
has fallen down to $4,000, 000-a Auetuation OF
hhy per cent in six years. SO it is or worse
through the whole period. In l64l, popula-
ation Of more than seventeen millions, paid only
ten millions Of revenue. In ls43, population Of
eighteen millions and half, paid Il, 100000 Of rev.
enue; that is, about ten millions less than nine mil
lions of people paid in 1917.
This exhibit Of huetuation is bad enough. But
it appears yet worse, when consider the amounts
Of revenue which should hare been paid during the
second period, in order to make the receipts equal
in proportion to the population to what they were
in the first period. Thus, in 1890. the actual re-
cepts were fifteen millions. According to the pop
ulation, they would have been under the old system
for that year twenty -four miliens In 1921, the
receipts were thirteen millions, instead of twenty
Ave, which they should have BEEN In 1910, there
twenty and half millions, instead Of forty-two
and half millions; and in l543, with population
of eighteen and a half millions, there was a rev.
enue of seventeen and a half millions, in
stead Of forty-six and half millions, which would
have accrued in that year on the ratio and under
the operation ofthe old system. How disastrously
these fluctuations under the tariff policy which has
prevailed since 1916 have affected the treasury, and
indeed, all the leading interests OF the country is
well known Sometimes the treasury has been
dstended with SURPRISES; then it has dwinded
into penury. Scattering its funds in distribution one
day, it has become beggar or borrower the next.
The explanation OF all this vicious course Of
things has, under the present administration, been
laid before Congress and the country in official doc
uments. The Secretary of the Treasury, in his
port to the Senate, in response to their resolution,
demonstrated that upon sixteen articles alone,
under the tariff Of 1912, tax was collected
and paid by the mass Of consumers in the
shape of enhanced prices to the amount of S94-,
900 900. OF this amount about eighteen mil
lions were gross revenue, which, deductng the ex-
penses of collection, found its way into the Treasu
ry, leaving the remaining seventy-hve millions as
most enormous tax upon the people, paid in the
shape of augmented prices for the benefit of manu-.
featuring capitalists. Such is the system which the
Fedcraliss are now rallying to "REsroRE." We
have its revenue operation, will trace here
after it's effect upon other great interests Of the
try, commerce, manufactures, and agriculture.