Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-05-26

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70 q. ...rs ~ yss,a o,ae,s''ese1 D''s' q Ns'14-
The views presented in the accompanying eonmunace,
ti6n would have reached you the form Of
NE SS ,' N R. The s9 snort
mT bs.an sss nos besn sns As
sss
the House for MONTHS do not feel that 1t would oe 20
the House the country for me to consume
action is asked Congress. Hence have adopted me an
mods of presenting to you my views IN 'ne
circular. 5s=s ~. 8
'espe Your obedient servant.
L. OBJ. BRANCH.
WASHINGTON Crrr, May IL. 1858.
AT the commencement of its present session, Con.
eress was informed by the Secretary Of the Treas
ury that in consequences of the sudden and unfore-
seen commercial revulsion, the means OF the 0ov-
eminent were insufficient to meet the demands up
on it: and on his Recommendation, Congress au-
thorized him to borrow twenty millions OF dollars,
to be paid in one year from date. 1t is generally
understood, though not officially communicated to
Congress, that having exhausted the twenty millions
already borrowed, he will be compelled to ask for au-
thority to borrow thirty millions more to enable him
to carry the Government through the crisis with I'M
furnished credit Thus it will be seen, that, alter
using all its income from the public lands, tar'n,
and other sources, the Government VII! Prooa1iy
be compelled to borrow fifty millions of dollars du-
ring the present and next years to meet its obga-
tions There is not only surplus in the treasury,
but the Secretary, with the aid of the twenty mil
lion loan, can, with difficulty, meet the daily de-
mands made upon him, and important public works
ordered by Congress- remain unexecuted. Even II
there should be revival in business, his embarrass-
ments must be still greater next year. because then
he is to provide for the regular and ordinary appro
priations Congress is making for the service OF
that year; and in addition to repay the twenty mil
lions already borrowed. -.
At this juncture when every prudent puonc
officer is endeavorng to husband the resources and
reduce the expenses of the Government so that it
may meet its pecuniary engagements without addi-
tional taxes on the people, q party has arisen IN
North Carolina, which urges me and my colleagues
to vote in favor of proposition to withdraw from
the treasury the proceeds of the sale of the public
lands and give it to the States to enable them to
build railroads do not believe there are ten
members of the House who would vote for such
proposition, unless the peculiar representatives OF
the manufacturing interest would do 3d. for the sake
of the bounty it would afford to their friends, and
an not sure that there is one member who would
take upon himself the responsibility of proposing it
to Congress at this time. If it should be proposed,
intend to vote against il; and the object of this
communication is to state the reason of my opposI-
ton. These reasons given in Difference to the
opinions of many respectable and intelligent persons
amongst my constituents whose errors even, are en-
titled to respectful consideration, and who are not
likely to err when fully informed
Before proceeding to my main object, desire to
say that the vote gave at the last session of Con-
gress in company with all my colleagues, and one
half the Representatives from Virginia, to deposit
the surplus revenue with the States, in no degree
sanctions distribution. The two measures are not
only totally unlike, and foundeded on different prin-
cples, but they are, and always have been antagon-
istc measures. In 1886, Gen. jackson, Mr.. CAL
houn, Mr.. Buchanan, and every leading Democrat
except Mr.. Benton adopted deposit as the adversary
ocfauc The FORMER being the Dem
ocratic party favors low tariffs and no surplus in
the treasury; but when its opponents, in their Gag
to favor the manufacturing interest keep the
tariffs so high as to accumulate surplus in the
treasury, our policy is to return the money,
as may be, to the people from whom it ought not
to have been taken, by depostng it with the States
until it is called for by the Government and reduc
ing the tariff tax to the point at which it will bring
in no more money than is needed to defray expenses
cy, and striving to defeat the schemes of the specu-
lators and plunderers who were hanging around
Congress corrupting its members and pOlIuting the
fountains Of legislation. The surplus no longer ex
ists and it is to be hoped that another will never be
accumulated Unworthy appeals to the cupidity of
the States are constantly male by the advocates of
distribution; and the people are told of the streams
of gold to flow into their State treasures if the
lands divided. Fortunately, we are not without
experience to the depth and volume of the stream
and it IS not sufficient to tempt the virtue of even
poor and frugal people, In l84l, an act was passed
distributing the proceeds Of the public lands amongst
the States, under which, North Carolina received
for its SHARE, $23, 147-not enough to pay for one
mile OF road. On the other hand, in 1885, there be.
ing surplus IN the treasury, arising almost exclu.
siyely from the tariff on imports, instead Of sauan.
derlng it on political avortes and in useless works
to favor particular localities the Democratic party
deposited it with the States. Under that law. the
deposit act, North Carolina received Sl433 757
which now constitutes part of her school fund
This is no argument in favor Of surpuses They
are amongst the greatest evils that can befall u.s.
But how ptifu the bride offered by distribution of
the lands! When ever there surplus in the treas.
ury that can bespared without rendering necessary
increase OF taxes, the Democratic policy of deposit
allows the States to have the use of It; but it re-.
fuses to take from the mass Of the people by taxa
tion in order to give to few by distribution There
being no surplus, but ON the contrary deficiency
OF means. let US see what will be the effect of with.
drawing the land money from the treasury. If We
take the average of the last three years. we will find
tnat requires to pay the expenses of the Govern
ment for each year, $40 ga 94A
VI this, the land brings in, SITS 744
Leaving to be raised by taxation, s62. 866 200
lSee Annual Report of the Secretary Of Treasury,
p. 28l) -
This last sum is raised by tariff on imports. the
operation OF which will explain, by taking iron
ana sugar Tor examples. "A merchant brings into
the country, from abroad ten dollars worth Of iron
or sugar; when he lands it. he is compelled to pav
at the custom. house. as tax to the Government two
dollars and half OF course, when he sells it to
the farmer. he is obliged to charge twelve dollars
ana half for that which he could have sold for ten
dollars if he had paid no tax on it. So with almost
every article used by the people. More than one.
fourth Of every store account paid by farmer goes
to the government. This is indirect taxation. and
1t IS four times great as the direct tax which +
collected by the Sheriff. the indirect tax paid BY the
people OF North-Carolna to the Federal Government
oe'ng about two millions of dollars per year.