The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-03
THE UNION.

an ho lee-Iade man would resort to direct
taxation, While the modes of indirect taxation be
made to answer the demands of revenue
MT v considered the practical operation of this sys-
tenn Suppose we levy direct tax, had gentlemen
sideTed IN what way IT would operate The example
the late war tax-quoed by the gentleman from Indiana
was no precedent for him That a tax of necessity
and II the same necessity existed the present time he
would resort TO the same remedy because necessity is
above all law. AT that Time every part of the country
was bockaded and the ordinary of thus
entirely cut on and we were OF necessity thrown back
upon the principle OF direct taxation because had
nothing else to resort to- Was such the condition of this
country now Were thrown upon such an ex
IRENE nece ssy, requiring such extreme action
or believe IT is the opinion of the best-informed
men that 1t is perfectly easy for this government OBJ
with the gentleman from Indiana Mr c. B. SMITH that
that sum will be necessary But let say the oppo-
ston here in this House. that they have nothing to do
but to stand still and await the progress of time and
events, and these will accomplish for us all desire
The progress OF events will do for than we can
do for ourselves We have already arrived that point
when not merely more revenue will be required than
heretofore, but largely than possibly be provi-
ded under the present system The great ques
ton with the country is, win you carry out the free
trade doctrine or Will you revive your former system
VIII you not rather revive that system which, while it
will supply ample revenue will, al the time, do
something to support the labor and the capital of the
country?
These the two systems, and the administration now
| in power will be compelled to recommend the
ohereher revision OF the tariff resort to direct
taxation. There is escape. For one, am free 10
say that am for no opates, or anodynes, or small
doses; am for going deeper and further than that
would perhaps lay duty tea and Coffee but would
at the time restore protection to the iron and
other great manufacturing interests of the country, now
in great danger in consequence OF the late evusons in
Europe ! am for going the whole system whenever
the administration shall be prepared to recommend it,
But if on the other hand, the administration should
fuse this course and for free trade might then be-
come necessary for us to act.
Let be remembered that direct tax, assessed under
the constitution not tax assessed the platform OF
property Under the system of direct taxation the assess
this rule, the people OF Massachusetts could not be
sessed at the by the dollars worth of property,
with the people of Ohio or the people of Georgia Mr..
illustrated by supposng the assessment of the five
millions contemplated in the amendment. OF that sum,
the tenth parthat is, five hundred thousand dollars
would have to be supplied by the State of Ohio for the
population OF Ohio equal TO about tenth OF the
population of the Union But now the people of Ohio
did not possess anything like the tenth part Of the per
who were the most able to support it would be taxed
the least while those who had but little would have
the constitutional provision with reference to direct
taxes from the consideration that the legislation of
Congress would be vastly local and exclusive than
IT had turned out
Mr. referred to the history of taxation by Congress-
by way Of illustration, and said If there
question OF more importance than anotherthat should
particularly ,, concern the people OF ONO Or OF
Congress such, that the representative from Ohio
was as much Representative OF the seaboard as OF his
own immediate district He took another case In the
assessment proposed Massachusetts, would have to sup
ply the quota with Indiana and he would ask, if it
could be supposed that the people Indiana would stand
the which would be required during the present
year to meet the expenses of the government which
Suppose tins sum had to be raised by resort
by the State OF Ohio and that State already obliged
10 raise by direct taxation consequence of her public
debt, about million and half annually, Add that to-
the tax assessed by the general government and the
amount will be equal to all the gold and silver circu
ation in that State, and all the bank paper besides
Mr.. v. declared that he could not be induced to give
any countenance by his vote to such system as that
The agricultural States OF the west south. and every
where, could not stand that taxation. Nowhere, but in
the great commercial and manufacturing districts, could
any such system be tolerated for single day No south
State he would AFFIRM could exist under its opera
lion; and he would again declare that he not dis
posed to resort to such system to carry this
Mr. V. concluded by repeating 10 his friends that they
had nothing to do but to "bide their time, and the ad
minstraon would be compelled restore the system of
revenue which they had broken down. For himself, he
was waiting for the time when they would come back to
that principles and whenever the Prodlgal should RETURN
they would be ready to receive him kindly In concu
sion, Mr. v in accordance with his notice given yeser
day, demanded the previous question.
The demand for the previous question being seconded
and the man question ordered. i was put first upon
from Georgia, Mr. COBB inserting in the instructions
to the Committee OF Ways and Means in relation to a
direct tax of five Millions after the word 'personal" the
Mr. j. @. ADAMS inquired whether amendment to
the amendment would be in order
Il
ton having been ordered.
The question being then taken the amendment it
was agreed to.
The question recurring upon adopting the resolutions
as amended
Mr. STEPHENS called for a division of the question,
and the resolutions considered separately.
The first of the having been agreed to, the
Sth was read as follows:
Stl That much Of said message relates the
the public debt to the increase thereof to the
alton OF sinking fund.- to duty tea and coitee to the
collection, saekeeping, and disbursement of the public
to the coinage and the establishment of branch
mint at the city of New York. the amendment OF the sub
ment together with much OF the accompanying report
Of the Secretary of the Treasury relates these Subjects
be referred the Committee of Ways and Means and that
said committee be instructed inquire the eXped
ency of raising annually during the continuance OF the
with Mexico until the payment of the public debt, the
of five millions of dollars, be assessed person
al other property, stocks and money interest and
portioned among the several States provided by the
constitution.
Mr. STEPHENS called for a division of the resou-
lion, and the question taken first upon the first prop
oston which agreed to.
The question recurring upon agreeing to the second
proposition, to wit:
"Aud that said committee be instructed TO inquire into
the expcdency of raising annually, during the continu
OF the with Mexico, and until the payment OF the
public debt, the of five millions Of dollars be
assessed personal and other property. stocks and mo-
interest," and apportoned among the several States
as provided by the constitution
The yeas and nays were demanded and ordered upon
its adoption and being taken, the result was-yeas "a,
nays li3 as follows:
YEAS-Messrs. Ashmun, Bolts, Brodhead, Burt
Chase, Capp, Franklin Clark, Collins Crowell, Duer
Fries, Gaines Ciiddngs, Cot, Gregory, Grinne, Hunt
Andrew Johnson, George w. Jones, William T. Law