Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-01-15
THE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, VA. l.
Thursday Morning, January IL. Is47. :.
NATIONAL FINANCES.


NATIONAL FINANCES.
The Wing press chuckles over the resolution
of the House of Representatives, that it was in
e1pedent 10 lay a duty upon tea and coffee, 10
meet the emergencies OF the war with Mexico.
So iondy do they doat upon The Tariff Of 1912,
that they refuse 10 aid in any measure which
may be proposed TO strengthen the credit OF the
Government, unless The Wing Tariff oil 1912 be
reinsialed, with all its impersclions on its head"
and The Sub-Treasuiy Act repealed-in word,
until they secure great political triumph 10
themselves by undoing all the Democratic policy
and re-engrafting their own measures, which the
country so signally condemned in 1874. Is it
reasonable tina, their arrogant, demands should be
acceded 10, in order 10 obtain their support The
Tariff Of 1916 has been in operation Jus, one
month; it is NOT yet tried, but signs indicate that
il will produce as much, if not more revenue
Than The bill of 1912. Why then repeal il in such
hot haste? The Sub-Trcasury, in spite OF Wing
predictions OF It's calamous results has quietly
become part OF the financial policy Of the coun-
try, and even lis opponents admit that il has had
mercial credit sound
Why, then, should we suddenly adopt the
whole Wing policy, and throw the business OF
The country into new trouble and confusion? To
carry Oh the war with vigor, the Government
must have more money-and does il no, become
the Representatives of The people 10 take firm
stand, and lay duty upon the free articles, in
GLIDING tea and coffee, so as to guarantee any loan
which The Government may find il necessary 10
make. We YET hope that the House OF Repre-
sentalves will reconsider their vote, and impose
this duty, so "necessary"to sustain The national
credit, and furnish The "sinews Of war" We
look upon TAX on tea and coffee as The tairesl
and most reasonable burden III al can be laid upon
the people, and we feel satisfied that they will
bear il cheerfully, in their patriotic support Of
war into which we have been forced BY an inso.
lent neighbor.
An objection is raised TO this tax on tea and
cofee-lhat il will operate unjustly upon the
poor both rich and poor consuming the same
amount of these articles. But in The extracts
from Mr. Clay's speech in favor OF the ad roto'
rem principle, quoted by US last Fall, he takes The
case OF coffee as strong proof OF The injustice Oh
specific duties; for, ar ues he, The rich, who con-
sumo The hgh.rriced Mocha coffee, surely ought
To pay more than The poor, who use the cheaper
and more common article. The Argument oil Mr.
Clay is as full OF force now, as when il was pro-
nounced. But wha, will be the effect OF a duty Of
25 per cent upon The price Of these articles oil con-
sumption 7 Ii is ascerlained that il would raise
the price Of coffee 10 each man little more than
one cent per pound and that Of lea little more
than five cents per pound And is ii not slur
upon The patriotism Of The American people, to
.uppose that they would not willingly sustain Sc
uncomfortable burhen, when The honor and
peace OF heir country demanded The sacrifice in
the hour Of peril
We are happy 10 cite leading Wing paper
in Virginia, The Lylchburg Vi,ginian, in aid
OF our views That paper referring to the IRE
spectful Letter" Of Secretary Walker 10 The chair
! man Of the Commiuee Of Ways and hleans. say
that The Secretary has discharged his duty, and
The consequences Of failure 10 impose The duties
mus, be upon The Representatives Of The people.
The Vireinian concludes with The following
views, in which We cannot but fully coincide. We
trust that similar suggestions will have their
weight upon The minds OF Congress, ard induce
that body 10 adopt The true course, before il will
be 100 late. The President has done his whole
duly-let Congress, in lis heavy responsibility To
The people, come TO the aid Of The Executive in
pushing on the war 10 peaceful conclusion, and
in maintaining The honor and credit Of the nation:
"Consress may authorize The issue Of Treasu-
nv notes, or the negotiations OF loans, but il they
do not provide by additional taxation for The pay
ment OF the interest, all experience has demon
sraled that the promises 10 pay of The govern
ment cannot be kept al par, nor money borrowed
except al most usurious rates. We see no prob
ability now Of any additional duty being levied,
and as 10 direct taxation, that is out OF the ques
lion. The duty on Tea and Coffee would bring
in two or three millions OF dollars, and be scarce
" fell BIZ The community, aui we think IL as unob.
jeclionabie iaz ms could be hUisd. We believe the
vote was based upon that miserable dslfust OF
The virtue and palolsm oil The people, which DEM
agogues in spite of their professions, always feel
and manifest Our citizens know that war is
costly and hare ncper get refused 10 contribute 10
its ezpenss Public opinion in such matters is
in advance always Of The feelings OF Legislators.
Should Congress mol impose additional taxation,
we should soon see The finances OF The nation in
as dissracefu and deplorab!e condition as they
were during the last war-and from The same
causes"
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