The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-12
POLITICAL.



Tea and Come.
Reasons for the proposed tax oa .ft
L. Because II amounts to but fraction per head
Tor our poruatIonsay cents each per 5 per
cent, or cents per pound on tea, and Ia cents on
coffee. taa.t.e, tni
3 Because all other articles Of consequence are alrea
dy taxed up to the revenue standard.
Because, II aid the tax upon those two articles and
together wall then be less than sugar alone has paid
under the tariff of 1912 T.3Ai4
Because. II not laid the amount of il will be nearly
losi m the negotiation OF the requisite loans
g. Because then being admitted to be wanted
Il must be paid ~ some form, and there is more
equal, or that will be individually less. felt. e M
o. Because these articles are, and always have been,
taxed IN every other country where they consumed
and In this country till since 1886, the extent of
- cents per pound on tea, and cents upon coffee
average. srawas
Because there is country in the world where the
wages OF labor enable the people to pay the tax more
easily.
Because the price will not be enhanced to the full
extent III the duty consumption of these articles be-
ing large proportion of their whole product, portion
of the duty will undoubtedly come out OF the producers.
Because II net laid, stigma will lie upon the west,
than whom there Is no portion OF the country more will
ling to bear Their full proportion of the burdens OF the
present war, whether they are personal or pecuniary,
and particularly such rling as tax of cents
head per annun, say 40 cents per family
10. Because such an unexamped state of prosperity
the agricultural manufacturing, and commercial interests
now enjoy, leaves for the shade OF shadow of
apoogg for demur, while thousands volunteering to
bear all the real hardships OF present situation
In connevion with these reasons we lay before our
readers the following articles from the 'Pennsylvanian
and the "New York Evening POST"
From the Pennsylvanian, January 6, 1917.
The Tax Ten and Coffee.
The federal presses now, according TO the North Amer
cam m favor OF the war; yesterday celebrated the defeat
in the House of Mr. Walkers proposition to the Commit
tee on Ways and Means, TO levy duty tea and
coffee, as rare triumph in its way The National Intel
bgencer solves the vote TO mean an expression of want of
confidence IN the adm nisraton and worthy neigh
Dor of the United States Gazette with good deal the
temper Of Norwood in the play, thinks the only thing
necessary To restore credit to the nation is TO restore the
tariff of 1872, and to repeal the independent treasury,
This advice significant Of things than 1t in
dictates that such arli that of 1912 would be most
useful IN time OF war; and such the indie
pendent treasury most useful in time OF peace-a
plment OF doubtful meaning 10 the former, though OF
great justice 10 the latter when we reflect that
occurrence that takes place about once in thirty years in
this country!
The reoicings of the federaliss however, over the
alleged difficulties of the administration, growing out of
the vote the proposition to tax tea and coffee while
they serve 10 show the true feelings of these gentle
men in regard to the war; will prove to be of short dura
ton The democratic party IN Congress is composed of
honest and patriotic men, and we should as soon doubt
the Justice and necessity of the itself as to doubt
their ability and anxiety speedily to furnish the requisite
TO prosecute the without placing the credit of
the government at ruinous discount, making the
sport and prey of SPECTATORS
In regard 10 the particular in handa tax on
tea and cofre-we have no hesitation in avOwing
hostility To it, considered abstract question. We
opposed to for the often and freely
avowcd from the stump and the press BY the democrats,
1870 We believe that the last articles for taxation
should be those of popular or common consumption.
Blu, in state of war with foreign foc-an often
sye war, only, but of invasion, and, if you
please conquest In such time, where is the citizen
who would not come forward and surrender his preiu-
aicesi The tax upon lea and coffee would be merely
temporary tax and we only hope that the exaord
nary vote OF Saturday cast under different belief
While If would produce amount of money equal TO
large proportion Of the prospective wants OF the treasury
would at the time sustain the credit OF the nation
Ii would be contribution TO the that would not be
felt by the people, and have doubt that if felt more
than really would be- II would still be cheeuly and
borne by them Is il to be supposed that
those who ready to offer their lives TO the country,
will hesitate in Yielding their consent to temporary tax
upon tea and coffee We will not SANDER the people of
this Union by supposng them capable of conduct so in
consistent in itself and unworthy of their high and
bearing.
Mr. Walker has proved himself to be abundanty equal
to the heavy responsibilities which, in this crisis are
imposed upon him Secretary OF the Treasury, and il is
ludcrous 10 charged that the vote Saturday was an
expression Of of confidence either in himself the
President II vote wholly without distinction OF
party and participated in by the friends and enemies
OF the new tariff and by the friends and enemies
of the war. Tina, this vote hastily given, we can
but hope and believe, and that, in view of the
in favor OF the policy II will either be
speedily reconsderei. other measure, equally
practicable decided uon is less ardent expecta
lion In exgency like the present, becomes every
patriot surrender his peudces upon the altar of his
country.