Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1858-06-17
Direct Taxation.

The Hon. Mr.. Boyce, of South
Carolina, who is one of the most
able and efficient members Of the
present Congress, has made report
as a special committee. on the ere
,iuction of the expenditures of the
Government: the navigation Laws, the
existing duties on imports, and the
expedieney eta gradual repeal of all
duties on imports, and resort ex-
clasiveiy to internal taxation Tie
report OF Mr.. Boyce is creating
much attention, not only at Wash
iag,op, but throughout the country
and is likely to create radical re.
form. TIE Richmond South thus
alludes to this important report:
Under the operation Of the pre-.
sent policy the commercial and
manufacturing classes Of the North
enjoy bounties and iHmuuities at
the expense of the other industrial
interests of The country, and more
especially TO the de.riment OF South
ern capital aud enterprise. Thus
YANKEES vessels are guaranteed a
monopoly Of the eoasting trade; and
Yankee ship-owners are secured
against the competition of Southern
capitalists, even in the foreign com.
msrce ef the country. In addition
to these instances Of special discrim-
iuatiou for the benefit of the North,
the operation of protective duties
aud indirect taxation is such as to
elevate the interests of the same sec
ton by the depression Of Southern
enterprise.
Mr.. Boyce assumes that the Fed,
eral Government was instituted for
tho equal protection and encourage
ment of all the various interests OF
the country; and since its admins.
tration is so iuvidious and oppressive
to a particular section, be infers an
obligation on the part OF Congress
to adopt such measures of reform
as will at leas, approximate the theo-
ry of the Constitution. To that
end, be makes the following specific
suggestions:
l. That American vessels Shall
not be required to have a certain
portion of the crew Americans.
q. That American citizens may
sail foreign vessels on footing of
perfect equality with American ves-
sells.
8. That foreign vessels shall be ad-
mitted to the coasting trade.
So much for the reform of the
navigation system. 10 regard to the
revenue policy of the Government.
Mr.. Boyce proposes this arrangement;
/. A total abandonment of the
protective policy 10 every particular.
g.. The lowest rate of duties upon
articles of necessity, such as cottons,
wooleps, iron and sugar. and the
highest upon, luxuries, such as silks.
8. A restriction Of the free list
TO such articles rs do not pay for
the trouble Of collecting the duties,
and 10 the raw materials OF manu-
facture.
But Mr.. Boyce would not rest np-
on this partial consummation. With
inexorable rigor Of logic and a su.
preme instinct of justice, be pro-
poses to follow out the principles OF
the Constitution. until perfect equsl,
ity in taxation and freedom of trade
shall be realized in the admiolstra-
ton Of the Government. Mr.. Boyce
thinks these objects will be accom-
plished by an abandonment OF the I'M
post system, and resort to the poll
CIV OF direct taxation. Tho resistance
Of obsolete ideas and interested mo-
tive may intercept the result, but
whether successful or not, The mere
aspiration distinguishes the author
of the Report as statesman of com
prehensive views and noble impulses
The Shelbyville Expositor says
- Dax;3snc c;rao ha has hnen in