The New York herald., 1851-11-01
Taxation In America.

TFrom the Chronicle, September rs
The evidence received by the lncome-tax Com
tion, is extremely important and interesting. MIR.
Dudley Seldepsnd Colonel Benz min Johnson fully
explained the principles and process Of assessment
in New York; Mr.. Ashoel smith showed how the
national love Of common sense and justice predomi-
mates la tie fiscal arrangements OF Texas, nowith.
standing the questionable origin Of that state, and
the mixed character OF population. IL not nn-
smufing to observe that the southern squatters,
Who make the laws, tax stock in trade one. third
higher than real property, and exempt the produce
Of the land, whether in the hands of the grover or
consumer, from al imposts whatever. Similar
little weaknesses will be found in older countries,
wherever particular class is in possession Of legs
lative power. ON the whe,e, the fiscal arrange.
ments Of Texas differ but slightly from the system
which prev ails in the wealthy and civilized State of
New York, and snerally throughout the Union.
I.must be remembered that all outlay for impe-
rial purposes is borne by the general government,
cut Of the produce Of the indirect taxes. The ex-
Ienses Of the army Of the navy, Of lighthouses, Of
the supreme Court Of the United states, are
supplied by the proceeds Of the customs duties,
which are imposed by Congress, and received
government, Legislature, and judicial establish
ment of New York, sre paid out OF the funds
Of the State; but the chapter Of taxes, as
regards that fortunate community. may be as
concise as the celebrated treatise Of Pontopp;dan
on snakes-itssmuch as there are State taxes
in New York The revenue derived from publ,
works both meets the interest on the debt, and
leaves Sufficient surplus TO discharge all the
perSes fthe state. In case of need, the local GO
vtrtment levies rate on the basis Of the assess-
mtnt that is already in force for the purposes Of
the counties and the tewns. An exactly similar
srrar cement prevails in England with respect to
the county rate, which IL fxed hy the justices in
qusrt,r sessions, and levied from the parish
tficeTs, who are authorized to collect IL from the
rate payers, In proportion and in addition to their
poor rates "A system OF this kind is only practica-
~. har tIa rsa isff mi raI
purposes bears small ratio to the original amount
levied on the rate payer. The direct public taxes
in Lbglnnd are too large to admit Of their being
added to the rsrochal rates.
AT present, the property tax is the only impost
levied in New York. IL is exscted by the towns
ard counties babituslly, and By the state in case
Of need. The largeness of the amount raised may
excite some surprise when it Is remembered that
the purI oses to which il Is applied are excusiyely
local ard municipal. The real and personal pro-
periy in New Yoik has lately been valued at
s65I ,6l9 595-the State and county taxes we're
81 ts5, ,73S, ard the town taxes sl,30s so. The
whole amount, therefore. was no less thau three
foufths per cent the wtole nominal capital Of the
county; and, allowing for undervauation and
fer high rate cf interest and profit, this is
probably equivalent TO an income tax Of ten per
cent on the average, subject TO wide differences
In it's repatriation among various districts. Tae
Jurposes 10 which the tax Is applicable include
the ordinary municipal expenses in cites, the relief
Of the poor when required, schools, aud perhaps
some other public Institutions, but neither sewers
nor roads. When il is recollected that all imperial
and general charges are borne by the federal GO
verpment. or by the state out Of its independent
revenues, the property tar levied on the people Of
New York will not appear unduly light. The i'm
poet srfesptnds in its chsrscter toour income tax
land tax ar parish rates, aud, 10 the purposes for
which 4. is applicable, 10 our local taxes only IL
the Americans have schools to ray for, which We
neglect to maintain, they are relieved from the
heavy burdeo Of poor rstes, except 90 far ~ the
emieraots 10 the port Of New York may require
q ssstance. Even in maintaining the schools, the
safe revenues are pfed IN aid Of tbe tsxes, Of !