Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-09-09

fare NnerS when we neeu not nlentlon, nut
which it win readily he perceived, there can
be no eAsggeration in estimating in round
Numbers, throughout the Union, at 10000
persons. Here then we have O,0OO per-
sons employed in ministerng TO these laws.
As 10 the cost of them, the same print
which has given US the number of lawyers
lin New York, sets down their expense to
the state at $4,000, 600 of dollars. II, this
proportion holds good, then we have $780,
000,000 for the country at large. But as
viii readily be seen, this is buta tithe of the
expense, aud your committee for want Of
time to pursue the details, must leave II to
the Investigation of others. We have be-
fore us The production of AN able pen IN
which occurs the following: Gould the
expense of such an establishment he esti-
mated correctly, it would probably be found
To amount 10 two hundred millions of dol
lars, annually, in the United Stares;" and
again, committee Of the Mississippi legiS-
lature, which had the matter under consid-
Grafton, aud thoroughly Investigated IL, re-
ported the cost of the collection laws at
5000, 600 600 per annum. Your committee
do not think that the estimate reaches the
TRUTH us Il superficial examination will dis
close, hut it is sufficient for their purpose To
take this estimate, and in view of II all 9th
err sources of general expense sink into insig-
nificance. The whole expense of our late
war with Mexico does not equal this yearly
tax. The annual expense of our Cavern
ment for its whole support, including the
army and navy, does not equal more than
one eighlh of this cost We have in round
numbers in this Union, population of 90,
100000. This would make the tax $40 to
every man. woman and child of the nation;
aud estimating the usual ratio of five per
sons to each family, would make $50 TO
each and every family of the Union. But
then, as ii comes of necessity from those
who produce, il will he necessary to calcu-
late accordingly; and a the number of non
producers may be set down at one-third of
the population, it would leave about $40 n
piece for each family of producers. Your
committee might enter into a calculation
showing the many modes in which the mo-
ney might tie expended in great individual
and national benefits. We have not the
data to speak certainly, hut we apprehend
there is not school fund in any state of the
Union which furnishes TO each family an
amount per aunum equal to this. II the
cause of education be one as Is universally
admitted, which involves the highest degree,
the advancing intelligence and morals OF
our people, what a magnificent result might
he accomplished by fund of this character2
How long would il he by a ludirious appli-
cation of this enormous amount, before the
mass of mind would he elevated above the
causes producing the litigation which exists
throughout the country. But your commit
tee will leave il To the reflection Of members
to conceive Of the great variety of modes by
which this enormous fund might b6 made
to minister to individual pgd national great
ness.
The next point for consideration will be
the necessity for these laws. A strong ne
cessity should be shown to prevail for their
existence, to justify their enormous cost. ID
is but poor piece Of individual economy to
maintain any expense which yields no cor
responding remuneration; nor u such q
course any less poor national economy III
these laws cost more thnn they come 10, IT
is well to consider the matter and avoid the
cost. Let Us examine it. II is generally
admitted that they do not accomplish the
end for which they are designed-ihat is,
conpel the payment of debts. II will be
recoIected that gentlemen Oh this floor who
ANNOUNCED their hostility to the measure
sought by this petition, deliberately admit
ted that these laws were useless TO compel
the man to pay his debts who desired 10
avoid them. If this be the case, and all
know it To be, is any other argument nece7-
sary to Justify their entire and total repeal!
If they fail to compel the only class of peo-
ule upon whom they are intended TO Oper-
ate To meet their requirements, upon what
ground can these enormous costs he longer
justified! You certainly do not want them
10 compel the man who will pay without
them; and yet by admission they Affect none
other. hut admiting them fully elieciual
for the proposed cnd--that they compelled
the payment Of Nh debts contracted, IL can
vet be shown that they are worse than use-
less. Their cost, for every productive fam
ily throughout The country, has bceD shown
10 be ut least so per annum. Now, your
committee firmly believe, cnud the facts be
arrived ~, Il would ~ found that the debts
Of this cluSS Of our people would not aver
age per annuin more Than this cost What,
then, j. the plain, paipahle, positive result,
Of the repeal of this law! You save 10 the
labor Of the rountry this cost, aud c0n-e-
quently enable them 10 avoid this debt. So
thar it appears the exi~tence Of these laws
furnishesthe Necessity for them. i his is not
difficult que Iou IN arithmetic or mathe-
mates about which there can be great deal
Of doubt Every man who knows how
muen D. TWICE. Two, cam nguFe " oui. "S
have cost 10 the labor of the country If
$500, 600, 0C0. The debts Of those who pgy
the cost are s2Uo, 100000. Save The cost
aud you save the necessity Of the debt, and
the laws are no longer Of use. }.
Bot it il claimed they exercise salniag
and hcalihful Influence upon society. II Il
be we'll fJr s0ciety that the labor 81 the
country he taxed two hundred million
of dollars per aunun; TINT there exist the .
e1treuIe~ Of wealth aud poverty that there
~ thousands Of useless and unprDdu"-
tive members Of ~oriefv, and that the labor Z
al ihe countr, be ground "a he earth 70 sup I
port them, then they must eXerise mo-.