The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-10-28
DEBTS TO BE PAID BY PosTERITY.

DEBTS TO BE PAID BY POSTERITY.
II father to contract heavy debts, and
should require his children, after his DEATH to pay
Them whether he left property to discharge them or
not, few would be able TO find arguments with which
to justify him. The children could clearly see, and
conclusivey demonstrate that their ancestor during
his lifetime, ought to have provided for and paid
those debts which his circumstances required him
to contract The public at large will not be able to
understand why father shall transmit to his son
legacy Of debt for him to pay The transmission OF
this kind of legacy will evince little parental afec-
tion, while the children, legatees of such parent,
will fail to respect those who transmit them. No
wise honest father will wish his children bur-
dened with his debts, and especially those which he
could have met with persevering industry and rea-
sonable economy; win any child assent to be
burdened with those which the parent unrsasonably
contracted, might have properly discharged.
These propositions cannot be questioned or denied,
however old-fashoned they may appear, unsup-
ported by the current events which we daily wit
ness No one will contend that the father ought
to live beyond his and leave the ex-
penses to be borne by his children If father can
not pay his expenses, few will believe that the
son can meet his own and those incurred by the
parent. Still we daily witness instances of debts
being contracted by the present generation to be
paid by the next. Almost every State, and very
many of our cities and villages, have contracted
debts which future generation must pay, if paid at
all. Our Legislators seem quite willing to apply to
the public rule which they would have repudiated
if attempted to be fastened upon them by their faith
ers and which they do not venture openly to apply
to their own children. They freey -nay, reckessly-
contract debts in the of the public which they
well know cannot be paid by the present generation
They seek enjoy all the advantages of large pub
lie resources by contracting debts and leaving pos
terity to pay the cost Instead of taxing themselves
and paying for such improvements as they think
ought to be made, they contract debts which must
fall with crushing weight npon their descendants.
They wish to indulge in magnificence and grandeur
for which they are unwilling to pay, but throw the
expense upon those who will probably have enough
to do to meet the expenses of their own times If
it is right that the public should bear such expenses,
why not impose hemby taxing those who are to profit
by it, and pay them at once and then enjoy the con-
sequences without the drag of perpetual interest
When we look at the public debt of Great Britain
we invoIuntarily exclaim against the fatal policy
which contracted it. We forget that many of
States cities, and villages following in her foot
steps and contracting obligations which the present
generation at least cannot pay. 1t is with difficulty,
in many cases. that the creditors obtain their
interest. 1t is true that on some occasions it may
become necessary for the public to enter into pecu
MARY obligations but the instances compare
lively few. When there is real necessity for it
the people will appreciate it, and readily tax them
selves to meet that necessity If the necessity is not
80 apparent as to secure their concurrence the pro-
priety of the measure may well be doubted. The
people cheerfuy assent to whatever is for their in
tsrest and what is not should not be undertaken.
If necessity compels them to contract debt, let the
law which confers the power to do 30 provide
tain prompt taxation, or other certain means of pay
ment--and that within limited time. Let those en-
joying the advantages of the expenditure shoulder
the burden of paying for it.
There is no more reason why public debts should
be thrown upon postery than there is that pri-
waite ones should fall upon children. The debts
of individuals are chargeable upon them while liv-
ing and upon their property when dead, and no one
claims payment of the children. 1t is equally
just for one generation to cast it's burdens upon
other for father to throw his upon his son. Why
should the present generation enjoy what it cannot
pay for, and why should that which is to succeed us
pay more than their own expenses Who profits by
contracting debts for posterity to payS Not the peo-
pie at large-certainly to no great extent--but
class of specializing individuals, who turn all such
things to private account and, were they unable to
make them the medium of private gain, few public
debts would be contracted, We hope the people
will examine this subject and hereafter apply the
proper remedy. t't EH9aa g.ala@