The New York herald., 1851-11-01
which, on sound fiscal principles, they may be con-

which, on sound fiscal principles they may be con-
sidered to form . part.
For the present inquiry, however, the scheme or
theory ofAmerican direct taxation is more mate
rial than the amount which Is levied, or the pur-
poses to which it 10 applied. The most striking
popularity attending the imPost is, thatts strictly
ta1 upon property altogether irrespective Of in
sonalty, is the only standard which the assessor s
allowed to consult. In Texas, the invoice prices
charged to the merchant supply the basis of assess
vanced community Of New York, a deduction is
allowed for bona fde debts and liabilities; but in
every State, it appears to be the practice to leok
to the property, instead Of assessing the vner
Every separate estate is charged by the assessor 40
cording to its saleabe value and il is at his own
risk that tho proprietor neglects to pay the tax In
case OF default, or in the absence of q visible
financial officer, makes good the deficient sums to
the county and the town-and, after due notice.
proceeds to sell the land, subject to redemption by
the proprietor, if he appears within two years.
held liable, in the first instance; and, generally
speaking, the tax gatherer has lien on all goods
until the duties assessed upon thom are discharged
The machinery for assessing and collecting the
tax is simple, and, so far as visible and tangible
property is concerned, it is apparently efficient:
The ssos, who must be freeholders, elected
by the towns, which correspond to parishes in Eng
land, Their duty consists in bringing all the pro-
perty within their district into assessment, aud in
attaching to it value, which is estimated accord
ing to the best of their judgment. The counties,
again, elect supervisors, who are entrusted with
the duty Of correcting the inequalities that arise
from the tendency Of each town to secure an undue
advantage by giving in q low valuation. On the
assessment. thus revised, DO h the town and county
taxes collected, as they required from time
to time. The State, ii it wants u contriou iol TO
its resources, names tac sum needed and levies il
from the counties in proportion to the amount OF
their re spectye assessnen's. The county oio-rs,
as we have explained, enforcs equality Of rating
among the to Snships; and the Comptroller, ia case
of need, either exercises & similar authority over
the counties. or applies to the Legislature for aid.
One rate book in short, constitutes the Sh)le sc
code ef lie community, except as regards the Gus
toms duties, which are placed by the constitution
under the control Of the federal Legislature. Ex-
cep far the income tax ard the assessed taxes
concerned, own system Of direct inposts is
not greatly dissimilsr. The house duty will pro-
baby be levied, in most cases, according to the
Parocbial assessment, and some kinds Of property
are rated to the income tax with reference TO the
same standard. Although property is taxed in
nerica and income in England, the distinct tion is
mpost is levied ON the one side of the Atlantic
coIdpg to the value for selling, on the other by ae
value for letting. The reason is evidently that
sales are more common in New York, and dem ses
more familiar TO ourselves. Wherever both classes
of are usual either test of value AID
eonfI N and be equivalent to the other. IL hap
pens ho wever that the practice Of assessing capi-
tai, instead Of income, has precuded scme OF the
doubts and difficulties which have given rise to con.
troveIsy in England. The Ambiguous proposals to
capitalize income for the purpose Of taxation will
be best elucidated by examining the practice OF
State which leaves income, Sd far as fiscal objects
arc conceined, altogether out OF consideration.