The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-23

cohsiueiduoh Oh the democrauc press uiouSnou TUG
country Prominent among these, is the proposition for
temporary war-tax upon tea and coffee. The plan oil
the reduction and graduation of the price OF the public
ands-a measure demanded by many high considera'
tons OF public policy in addition to IFS effect in augment
ing the revenues OF the country from that souree-has,
we are glad to perceive. been already initiated IN the
Senate bill for the purpose having been last week in
roduced in that body by Mr.. Senator Breese.
We trust that the manifest expedency OF war-duty
upon tea and coffee may commend that important
measure also to the attention OF the House. The question
Of the suciency of the OF the treasury TO
meet the demands upon it at this time, and to negotiate
the loans required for the support OF our military operations
in the enemys country is, beyond doubt aqueston vitality
affecting national honor and character 1t is admitted
that there way of augmenng the revenue, with
out imposing any undue burden upon the people, than BY
the imposition of moderate temporary duty upon these ar
ces, free, and of such general in all parts OF
the country 1t to be generally understood that
the dominant party in the House do not intend to cripple
the by refusing the needful supplies for its prosecu
ton; and is hardly to be supposed that any consider
able party in Congress- after adopting this idea of public
duty will take the responsibility of refusing any reason
able effort to diminish much possible the amount OF
the public debt and TO facilitate the negotiation of loan
upon favorable TERMS by providing as large regular
revenue as the established tariff policy of the country
will allow
There is surely no good why the people Of this
country should plunge into increased public debt for
the sake Of keeping tea and coffee in the free list Yet
this precisely the effect OF the policy which determines
to make loan TO sustain the and yet refuses to
levy the proposed war-duty on those articles. Such
refusal would be loss every way Not only must the
government, in that case, incur debt for the money
which it would otherwise receive from this source; but,
for the want of such additional revenue, it must so into
the money market in worse condition, and thus may
be compelled to borrow on less favorable terms. We
shall be slow to believe that the representatives of the
people will consent to bring about such state OF things
The people themselves, sure, will never sanction
it.
The following paragraphs from recent article in the
New York Evening Post, in reply TO some suggestions
from correspondent adverse to the proposed measure,
are entitled to attention
From the New York Evening Post.
THE TEA AND COFFEE TAx.-That the tax the
mmed occasion OF the revolutionary war; is enough;
but that objected to the because it
levied that particular commodity, is great mistake
They objected to the principle of taxation by Parliament,
in which they not epresened they claimed the right
IF British freemen to tax themselves So far they
rom being addicted 10 habit OF that
the times Immediately preceding the revolution, it
garded indication of the want of patriotism
that beverage. He who drank paid the its intro
ucton, and considered asserting the tyranny
which imposed it, The patriots of that time antitea
irnkersthe class of working men, whom pond
represents, did place their notions OF comfort
in slipping infusion of the Chinese herb, detection of
the Arabian berry SO unpopular il to dnk tea at
that me that women who addicted to the habit,
were obliged take their by stealth. If the tax had
been laid by a Parliament in which the Americans
properly represented by Legislature OF their there
no probability that the smallest objection would have been
made to it,
of life of much greater Importance than tea
and taxed, and taxed heavily without calling
forth any objection from those who quarrel most violently
with the tea and coffee tax Sugar. which article
more universal than either and which is part OF the
food of children well adults pays higher duty The
poor burn taxed coal in their grates and stir the fire with
pokers Of taxed IRON They taxed in every thread oil
clothing they wear whether of wooen, silk, cotton
in the shoes to their feet, and the hats which their
heads they taxed in all the implements of their occu
PATRONS When we this, astonished that any
body should be silent in regard to these taxes and plead
for exemption from taxation In favor OF two commod-
ties which are Injuries best. and necessares of
life.
The burden of the spoken of by our ponden
would be considerably less than he supposes little
ibridgement the quantity of tea and coffee consumed
which would bs all better for the health and nerves Of
those who drink the would make the burden very light
one After the tax has been passed. convinced we
shall very little of the hardship it imposes Last win
er when spoke of the with which the tax would
be borne as one Of for laying it,
pretended journal in the western of the State for
using false argument the obecof maintaining that
the which be preferred those which
most sensbly feel
In effort to bring up of Congressional
reports, compelled this evening to omit variety