The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-07

THOUGHTS on THE TARIFF.--So. i.

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A. mode Of raising revenue, duties imports far
from being unobjeconabe and Of the strongest OBJ
jections them Is the inequality with which they fall
different members Of the community.
Here are families, equal in numbers, but very
quail in fortune The first has income barely sufficient
for decent support the second is very wealthy But the
FIRST family much sugar coffee, tea and salt
does the second and if these articles pay duty inn
portation the family in moderate is made contribute
much to the support Of government does the family in
opnlent circumstances.
Here, aguin, Is rich old bachelor, and who is
pennrous be IS rich One lasts him two three
years aud be boards N here he board the cheapest
Though abundanty able he contributes less towards the
support OF the United States than does many
journeyman mechanic who has wife and several chill
dren.
Viewing these things, there are those among who
wish to see the tariff system abolished, and the federal
government supported by other mode of taxation.
But TO any other system there will be found to be-
animation as strong objections the tariff system
The United States constitution declares that all cap
tation and direct taxes shall be laid in proportion fed
sral numbers On this principle, Indiana would have to
pay more tax than Massachusetts,, though tax which
could be easily borne in Massachusetts, would be very OPP
pressive in Indiana.
q Ii the United States government should endeavor to
raise income by direct taxation it would be very diff
cult TO select suitable objects for taxation Tax Incomes
win perhaps be exclaimed BY the reader But the American
people would never submit such inquston would
enable the officers Of government to ascertain the amount
of each mans income. And in country in which there
is much credit tell what his net income is
till he ascerains what portion of the debts due to him will
be paid Another objection to this scheme is that if you
tar incomes and incomes only all the Spectators in town
lots and wild lands viii 60 "scot free
Well then perhaps the reply viii be- tax property
But exclusive tax on property would be as unjust as an
exclusive incomes The ability pay taxes Is
general rule in proportion TO income but different kinds
Of property yield very unequal incomes And If general
property shonld be laid many persons would
rye conceal their property entirely from the axgath-
Such would operate with peculiar heavness
the farmers for they could not conceal their property, and
equal OF capital yield The farmer and the merchant
very unequal revenues.
Well then,7 the reader viii be apt 10 exclnim
both property and income But to this reply that the
Circumstances OF the people the States are SO I'M
equal that would be impossible for the federal govern
adopt any system direct taxation either in
come property, capta.ion--tbat would operate
very unequaIy In imposing State taxes has been found
very difficult arrange them that each county shall
bear III just proportion Much difficult would ii he
found 10 be, rapoes direct tax which would fall with
Its just weight each locality country extensive
the United States The officially is little increased
by the of circulating medium The effects Of
bank expansions and bank contractons are not felt with
the force and 1T the time in different parts of
the country. How would it be possible TO make an equita-
Die when prices sometimes S3l per cent
above aud sometimes 80! per below their natural
rates and when they artihcalIy depressed In one
State the very time when they arciay raised In
anothcrG
B. system of direct taxation by the United States gov
eminent would extensive is country aud scatter
ed our population be verg expensive We should have to
have in the FIRST place army Of assessors and in the
next place army 81 axga,hercrs and each of these
mics would be larger than present standing army.
such an increase in the patronage Of the federal
meat Is not desirable and then, in collecting tax Of
10 to 30 cents for each square mile of territory much
would be los, in various ways that the which would
come into the Golfers of government would be small COM
pared with what would ont Of the pockets Of the
people
4 II would not be erpcdient TO employ in collecting
United States taxes those that collect State and municipal
axcz The federal aud State governments intended 70
occupy distinct spheres and, general rule
that holds Office under the should at the time
hold an Office under the other
5 II would not 10 with the State gov
ernmenis TO collect pay them into the United
states treasury This would relations between
The federal and the State governments which would be
sure TO lead to collision Sometimes the State
would pay punc,aay aud sometimes they would not pay
all Under the old articles Of confederation Congress