Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-07-17
VOLUME R--NUlIBER 40.

''''1 % "dt-i VIII Take occasion 10 SUgucst lB
genilemen's consideration what occurs 10 me a
worthy OF being suggested, in very few words
upon these several topics.
In The tlrst place, there is no doubt that a IN,
properly laid upon tea and coffee will be produc
1--WE ol a clear positive revenue; but this will de.
pend upon two things first, upon the amount Of
!, the iaX; and, secondly, upon the mode of LAYING
IT, lhe first is obviously a matter for rconsidera.
uon, and IN regard TO the second suspect thai
| gentlemen who are desrous of raising reyenpe bv
TINS means will find their calculations fallacions
unless they make the duty specific. In nv opin.
ion an ad yalorcm duty will disappoint their hopes
! oil any considerable amount of revenue. If I
mistake not, under such a system it will be soon
lound that teas made up in Canton for the New
lork market will become wonderfully cheap. A
SPeclhc rate per pound will undoubtedly make
lhe duty productive of revenue.
doubt not that Treasury notes NAV be availa.
Die Tor the uses of the Government TO conside.
! Die extent. do not mean as revenue or income.
Dut as instruments or facilities for the transfer of
oalances' and as proper to be used in anticipation
ol taxes or sources Of income. In regard TO this
would say, simply, that if it be the purpose of
lhe Government, as has been minated 10 us for
some Tune, 10 resort to the issue of Treasury
notes. lthnkthe lossof asingle day, especiallvthe
/ loss OF single week, will turn out 10 be quite
! lnconyenlent; that is, if the issue of Treasury
hotes Is considered the best and safest. if thew
can be used by the Treasury under authority of
| law' before the money in the possession of the
Government is exhausted. All wish to saw is.
that earnestly recommend TO the committee on
FINANCE to bring in bill by itself for the issue of
Treasury notes Immediately. believe il has
been as usual as otherwise for such laws 10 origi
nate in the Senate there is no constitutional ;n.
pedlment to such course; and hone that these
anu o'lGr important measures, such as the modi-
lying OF taxes and laying new ones, will not be
suffered 10 lag along through Congress in gene
raj omnibus bill. Where the subjects are dis
'inct' they should be kept separated; and where
they are simple and plain they should be acted
on promptly.
ltavlng said this much of those two sources of
assisting the revenue, the tax upon tea and coffee
ana the issue of Treasury notes, both of which
admit TO be efficient and probably certain in their
operations, have now to say that other matters.
suggested and relied on in the communication |
have referred TO, consider coniectura, uncer-
tam, and not fit to be the basis of provisions in
cumbcnt on us to make before we leave our seats
here to place the Executive in a proper condition
to carry on the war. | suppose the calculation
will be that a considerable amount will be secur-
cd by reduction of the duties upon articles al
ready taxed, upon the supposition that the impor-
tatlon will be so much increased as to increase
the aggregate receipts. will not say that this is
not we'll founded opinion. | have all proper
respect lor the source from whence it comes; but
VIII venture TO say that it is but an opinion; il
hardly amounts to the character of estimate, for
want OF certain and positive foundation. We
have no experience from which we can derive
satisfactory conviction that such will be the result |
II were responsible, should not choose to
place reliance to any extent upon this plan.
wei, the next increase is to come from the
operation of the warehouse system. consider
tins equally void Of any certain foundation to rest
upon. | do not see how a million of money. in
addition TO the present income, is to be derived
from admitting goods into the country to be car
ned out again without paying any duty whatev-
er. really do not conceive that the facility of
carrying goods through the country without the
payment OF duty, Is going to produce us million
OF dollars. This is matter of which should
Ike to see minute details; should like to see
calculations made by which this result is expect
ed to be accomplished. AT present, do not see
the practicability of it.
And so in regard to the public lands, it may be
that the passage of q graduation bill would SO en-
hance the disposition 10 buy by reducing the
price, as considerably to increase the quantity
sold; but that that increase will be so great as TO
produce an overplus of half million or any 9th
er sum, Notwithstanding the diminution of price.
is, think, matter Of opinion which cannot be
relied upon. So that these sources of income
appear to me to be rather too uncertain to be the
foundation OF any satisfactory provisions; there
appears rather too much risk in making mere
opinions, not to say conjectures, the basis of leg
station Tor producing revenue for the purposes of
Government. h
The truth is, that, if this war continues, we
must have substantial taxation, or we must incur
4 public debt. We cannot look to Treasury {
notes as revenue, if they assume interest," and are
payable at distant day, they become of course
public debt. There must, then, be o substantial i
AK, or there must be public debt, if the war I
continues. Our expenses are very great. do {
lot say they are unnecessary; | make no imputa- {
ion OF that sort at present. | am not sufficient S
y acquainted with the particulars; but stated
lere some time ago, upon the credit of others, I
hat Of which am perfectly convinced, that our !
expenses have been half million of dollars |
lay. Forty days ago we passed an act declaring Q
hat war existed, and authorizing the calling out
If fifty thousand volunteers. Well, sir, have /
full conviction that the military expenditures of In
ne Government, the expense Of raising, equip t
ing, and transporting the force which has aIrea-
ly been called out, will be found to have cost s
wenty millions, or very nearly that amount, at
his moment. Some portions of our warlike pre- C
are peculiar expensive-l mean the il
eglments of mounted volunteers. They are fi
ecessary, | suppose, for the nature of the SER v
ice; butthere was document published here h
communication, think, from the War Depart Il
lent=When Mr. Pnnsn1t1uaS Sncrntnr,r L. 49, e