The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-18


Judgment opposition to the declared wishes of the Exc
cutive Nor shall hesitate any both to speak and
TO against his wishes, when believe the President
to be wrong hardly need advert IN this connexion to
my position in reference TO the harbor and river bill. My
position in relation to that bill, WILL think. relieve
from The necessity of vncatng my independence of any
thing like servile adherence TO the Executive. That
position will here take occasion to say, intend to
maintain Believing the provisions of that bill to be
right design TO continue to press the claims OF the peo
pie Of the west and will not abandon them, until am
convinced, beyond all doubt, that my efforts alto
gether in van and that il is useless to press them any
longer.
In regard TO the proposed tax upon tea and coffee,
openly and srenuousy opposed at the last session of
Congress- and have done the al this session not
wthstandg the pressing representations OF the Secreia
ry of the Treasury. Whether in doing So have also OPP
posed the wishes of the President, | cannot tell,
nothing is said about in the message from which the
views of the Executive may be inferred. But if the
President had recommended that tax, II would not have
altered my opinion upon the subject have removed
my opposition To it, because believe that such tax
would be unnecessary know that such tax would
be very easily collected but il would not that ac-
count be any the less unjust hold that the people
should be taxed according to their ability TO IN
other words, in proportion TO their property This should
be the fundamental principle in all systems OF taxation
know that in arranging tariff on imports, Is mprac-
cable 10 arrive at this standard with entire accuracy
but ought to at it, and to as pos
sibe, in laying duties for But tax on tea and
coffee would not only not accord with this principle, but
would be in inverse proportion to mems property or
ability to pays II would approach nearly to poll-tar;
it would tax the people not in proportion to their ability
would be burden upon the laboring classes because
they consume far of both articles than the wealthy
In most instances it would be, in fact tax upon the la
Dor and industry of the and children OF the la
boring classes; because those articles in great
measure purchased by the proceeds of their labor and IN
dusry. am, sir, therefore opposed to such a tax
Neither, if just do think il necessary There
many other modes by which revenue can be raised
sustain the country in any emergency am not afraid
to tax the people Of this country upon any Just principle
but regard upon tea and coffee unjust and I'M
necessary. will make proposition, and ask the Clerk
read it, expressive of my view of the best policy with
regard TO taxation at this time. 1.-THE Clerk then read
the following amendment to the BILL which Mr. T. pro-
posed to offer when it should be in order j
And be it further enacted, That from and after the pas
Mexico there hall be levied, collected, and paid, all
duties by the entitled "An reducing the duty on inn
ports and for other purposes approved July 3Oth 1876
imposed by said act
do not know of any article now taxed that would not
bear the proposed increase OF fire per cent Our imports
being hundred millions of dollars this amendment
will produce five millions Of revenue-more than twice
as much could be raised off of tea and Coffee and just
as easily collected This will obviate the necessity of
taxing tea and coffee. If this will not afford enough rev.
enue then tax the vices of the country. Impose direct
the manufacture and sale of liquors Spirits are
now taxed 100 per cent ad vaorem, and wines 50 per
cent Instead of giving all the profit arising from so
heavy protection now made on these articles to the re-
aiers and manufacturers put portion OF It into the
treasury This would be better than taxing the support
and industry of the women and children. II there is still
deficit, then tax the Injuries of the country would
impose tax pleasure carriages, gold and silver
plate This would tax men according to their wealth
Gentlemen said that this demagoging. 1t is
not demagoging. have inducenent to play the dema
gogue have no political aspirations This is the last
time that shall occupy place on this floor do not
seek for office intend to retire to private HE at the
close OF the present term have often expressed my de-
termination to do have nothing to change that
determination This is the last time shall ever hold
political Office SO far as ii depends upon my own will or
wishes There can be no ground for such charge
against me- In the way have suggested, ten or fifteen
millions of revenue might be raised Oft OF the wees and
Injuries of the country. hope my friend near me- the
chancellor of the Exchequer" MIR MckAY,l Will fur
nish with the details necessary to carry out such
Ii all these sources will not raise suflcent
revenue, then must borrow some TO help out There
are the money lenders if they will not lend us their
money after being placed in position to be able to DO
it, (Which hope the proper committee will enable them
to do and, if not, will myself at the proper time, pro-
pose for that purpose lei us tax them and get
It out of them in that way Much laughter, and cries
of .that will dol If they will not lend their money to
enable the to carry the war, let us tax
them and compel them to contribute their proportion TO
carry il on.
But have a word to say to the gentleman from Geor
gia, Mr. TooMps] who seems to be 50 anxious TO tax
tea and coffee. The gentleman should have recollected
when he endeavoring to pronounce censure on
those on this side of the House, who were opposed to
taxing those articles, that he pronouncing sweep
ing rebuke and condemnation upon his party, who
universally, with the solitary exception OF the gentleman
himself, voted against the tax.
Then, again, sir am opposed to the appointment OF
lieutenant general which is proposed by the
Executive, but which | consider unnecessary. But
that 1t VIII not be necessary Tor me 10 say any
thing upon that subject, as presume that the question Is
settled.
! Mr. JACOB THOMPSON was here understood TO say, that
the honorable gentleman mistaken in supposlng thai
that question was settled.
Mr. TIBBATTs would ask the gentleman the reason Tor
his entertaining the opinion that such an officer was
necessary.
| Mr.. THOMPSON would gladly do so, if the gentleman
yielded the floor.
Mr. TIBBATrs | would take pleasure in doing So
Mr.. Chairman, bat fear that the gentleman would &C.
cupy much of time, and he will doubt nave an
opportunity before this debate closes. cannot myself
sir any necessity at all for the appointment OF this
officer understand that reason given Tor 1T Is, thai
the relations existing between General Scott and General
Taylor are OF so delicate character to require some
incrposon and to prevent difficulties which may arse
between them on account of the claims which each may
suppose himself to have to the command OF the army
the presence of General Scott likely to produce such
embarrassments, why he sentl Is General Taylor
incompetent TO the command IA general who has won
every battle he has been engaged in was there any
want of generalship exhibited in the victories at Paio
Alto and Resaca where he conquered three times his
own number of disciplined troops in the sormng OF
Monterey, strongly fortified that It has been
termed the Gibraltar of northern Mexcol The nauon
Tor is no general Are to consider these vlcto
ries, in which we have taken much pride, and OF
which we have boosted much, evidence OF gen
ershipl >,
| Is General Scott incompetent He proved himself
brave and gallant officer in the last warhe has given
evidence the contrary since He has as yet had no
| opportunity to test his qualities IN this.
! In my Judgment, Mr.. Chairman, the unfortunate ana
tmel introduction of this question Of slavery renders
soon as is practicable, "a question to which intend to
come presenty y and If this be the policy which will be