The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-22


gress 10 impose this tax, and ii voted down by
overwhelming majonty at the present session il h;
been brought forward and voted down by majority
both parties and he trusted and hoped that they wou
have no more of it hereafter Mr. j. said he was oppose
10 taxing tea and coffee Tor many First he wa
opposed TO taxing any more OF necessares OF life tina
were now taXed-the laboring portions of the commun
~ were nor taxed in all they ate wore and drank-be
cause was unjust to call the laborng thousands out
hight the battles of the country and then tax the stomach
and backs of their friends and relations 10 pay the
pense OF the war Because when the government WELD
ed the physical power in defence of the property
wealth OF the country which were the bones, flesh, sin
ews and blood OF the great of the people, it
but justice to tax the wealth of the country to defra
such expense Because they popular and cheap ari
ces OF consumption with the laborng millions in tn
United States, and taxing them would have tendency Il
make the war,and the party imposing them unpopula
and odlons Because il would make the party now il
power still weaker which only held the ascendency b,
some three thousand majority of the popular of TIL
whole Union Because, with our recent loss in New
York, Pennsylvania, and of the other States
would throw the democrats IN the next ConGres, N
hopeless minority, thereby defeating the administration
two parties are nearly equally divided, and both having
been opposed TO the tax, and where the people mos
decidedly opposed TO il of both political parties, would
most assuredly defeat the democratic party in that State
IN the approaching summer elections for Congress- gov
ernor, and the Legislature OF the State Because there
other articles, articles of luxury that might be tax
ed that the people would approve and from which there
might be more money collected than really needed BY
the government to carry on the with Mexico; some Of
which he would submit the consideration of the House
and the country.
During the last session of Congress, while the bill
modifying the tariff was under consideration Mr. said
that he moved to strike out the fourth section of this bill
proposing tax on tea and Coffee and insert provision
embracing different principle OF taxation, and would
now call the attention of the House to the amendment
then offered and the estimate based upon that amend
ment lie then referred to former speech of his con-
tanning the amendment and estimate, which is as follows
Mr. J. now advanced to the consideration of the ques
ton of protection. The question of the finances of the GOV
eminent was allimportant which involved the
very vitality OF the government He referred the state oil
war IN which we were now paced-requrng increased
eXpenditresand presented the importance selecting
directly the articles upon which should be imposed t
supply the tweveinda-hat millions Of dollars deficiency
N The treasury anticipated by the Secretary. And en-
bodyng his views the subject, he caused read the
following amendment which he gave notice he should offer
at the proper time to the bill before the committee
s. BE further enacted, From and after the passage of
this act there shall be levied and collected such manner
as may be prescribed by the Secretary the Treasury
the United States, the follow ing post or per cent
upon all capital hereinafter enulnerated-hat is to saw
upon all bank stock the capital Of banks whether the
same be Incorporated or banking under general banking
law one per cent per annum upon the stock held the
capital so nveed upon all capital vested in bonds issued
by the several States, which they now paying the in
terest ON as it falls due bonds issued by the
OF me United States one per cent per annum upon all
capital used employed by any individual or individuals
bank or banks bodies polite corporate, in buying, dis
counting or shaving notes, either pronssory bank pa
per- one per per upon all money loaned bear
ing interest," the loaned exceed thousand dol
rs one per cent per annnm upon all capital exceeding
fifty thousand dollars vested in any one manufncturng es7
adjustments one half of per per annum upon all
god and sace' plate and ware exceeding fifty dollars in
value, ten per cent. dd raiorcm.'
"le laid down fundamental principle that the ex-
Penses OF this government and particularly those incurred
In Tune OF war should be sustained by that portion
population who enjoy the greatest amount of protection
One OF the great ends of government acquire pow
er to protect the property Of the citizens the country
in war this power physical power. which was ex-
erted defend the property of the ote country and
hence, when the expenses OF be incurred
they should be borne by those who the greatest pro-
lection from that war In this view of the subject the inn
policy and the injustice taxing the poor mans tea and
coffee 10 carry on war which mainly for the protec
ton OF the property OF the ric clearly The rich
man, 10 be used tea and Coffee and perhaDs little
more than the poor but there one hundred poor
men TO one rich man. One hundred times as much
then, would be paid by poor by the rich if
10 lax those necessares oie and Coffee carry on
the war The burdens ottayaon NIr. j. boldly procnim
cd) should be shifted Oft the shoulders of the poor who had
too long borne an undue and eXCrbitant proportion them
and should be put upon the wealth of the country.
He might not be entirely in all his estimates of
the amount OF revenue that his amendment would raise
and he should did opportunity again offer, present it
more exact form lie could however, that its principle
would enable the government to raise sufficient revenue by
taxing the articles of the wealthy which be protect
ed by sWar, and exemptng those of the poor. The OBJ
Vous justice and propricy of this policy being further
warmly entorced Mr. j. proceeded make
mate as he could arrive al OF the probable which
wond be raised under it, the which are embodied
in the following table statement: