The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-03-18
s25 to the county treasurer. Suppose the


Statesmda's theory of direct taxation is en-
forced, and we of Ohio raise, by an assess
ment upon the property of the State, .fre mil
lions Of dollars, our portion of the .6tty msl-
lions necessary for the support Of the United
States Government. This hard working
farmer would be compelled to pay serenty:frc
dollars instead of tcenty: :fue, or three times
as much. This would be an enormous draft
upon his income, and he would very probably
begin to look around for some explanation.
As the NdieSmda has saddled this new tax
upon him, he would, perhaps, go there for an
explanation. Let US imagine the scene.
Fdrmer.--I am taxed seventy five dollars
this year, while last year only paid t,oenty
fue. do MT like this kind of democracy.
Statesman. My dear sir, you don't pay u
copper more than you did then. You paid
the fifty dollars extra, by way of indirect tares
last year.
Fdrmer.-I did MT pay a cent over the
twenty-five dollars. What do you mean by
indirect taxes2
&atesman.-I will explain. Last year,
under federal Wings rule, the expenses of
government were paid by a duty on foreign
goods that were brought into the States.
Broadcloths, shirting, silks, sugars, &C., all
formerly paid duty, and the money SO raised
was used to pay the expense of government.
But we, the democracy, 60 in for free trade.
So we have abolished all these duties. We
permit the people Of all nations to bring
goods into the United States free, and we
raise what money we want, by direct taxes
on the property of the people of the States
Now, you paid your fifty dollars extra, by the
additional price you paid for your broadcloths
silks, &c, &c, which you use in your family
1t don't make any difference to you whether
you pay tho fifty dollaro to the tox gotherr,
direct, or whether you payt TO the merchant
and let him pay it to the government by way
, of duties on the goods you consume. hope
} you understand the meaning of indirect tax.
alton by this time.
Farmer.-l think know what you NEAR
by it, now. But, my dear sir, it is huge lie
! all of it. Why, don't buy at the store:
fifty dollars worth of gouks in u year. My
r woman makes the cloth for our coats, and |
raise the WOOL She makes linen cloth for
our sheets, shirts, &c. We don't wear broad
: cloth. We can't afford to wear silks. We
5 work hard, and live economically, on what we
l raise. You town folks that wear broad cloths
and silks every day, and by so much at the
stores may, perhaps, pay the difference be-
tween the taxes now and last year in this way
5 But don't begin to Go it, even allowing you
theory to be true. This idea of indirect tax
I alton is all mistake in It's application.
don't like to submit to it, as you apply it.
want to save my money, and am not willing
, to pay fifty dollars per year, extra, for the
sake of your principle. If want these fine
things-brOad cloths, silks, &C., shall ex
( pect to pay for them; shall do it voluntarily
, and because think am able to bear the ex
: pense. But don't like the idea of bcins
compelled TO pay tax without getting any o.
} the benefits. Ii | desire, | wish to escape
J this burden, can do SO when the tax is col
lected from foreign goods, by not purchasing
them; but by your system OF direct taxation
am compelled to puy any hoO. | don't like
this sort Of Democracy, and won't stand it
So look tut for sights about the time OF the
next election.
Here is the theory Of direct taxation, in it.
very best aspect. What do the turner's O
the State say to il! What do the tax payers
generally, think of it, We would ask lor nq
more complete overthrow Of Locofocoism
than we should have if this delectable system
of free trade and direct taxation were en-.
forced just Tor one year in the State of OHIO.
Think of raising Gre millions by taxes in ad-
diton to our present rates. 1t is appalling
We think our burdens are heavy enough
already, but when they are increased Mree
4 1 a.. n A.
thousands. Moncyed men, and money less
loaIers could get along. But the farmers, the
laboring people, the producers would rebel.
Does the Statesman really desire to try the
cXperiment!-O. S. Journal.