The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-08-05
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. AUGUST 5.

carry on the government. y treasurer has indeed
been indicted into office, fresh from the people,
but scarcely has u month passed by before he learns
that it is only 70 preside over the shadow of an
exchequer, bequeathed to us by the oligarchical
Ministry of the past two years, to whom repeated
admonitions were given of the inevitable result
of their suicidal policy Of conducting the govern
ment in the manner that has been done, but who
have apparently spurned our warnings as the gas
conade of idle penny-a-liners- Mark now the re-
suit which was predicted months ago in this jour-
nal-a result which patriotic sentiments shame
us 70 announce. Let those whose salaries for the
last two moons have been objects of solicitude,
proclaim, and not We let the drooIng public
works whisper it; let the deliberations of the
late Ministerial Councils bear us witness that our
efforts in endeavoring to thwdrt so unfortunate a
result as an empty treasury and n paralyzed gov
eminent, by an entire change of policy. and by
retrenchment and reforms, were not uncalled for,
but were based on an impartial judgment of the
relation of cause and effect.
We wish not to be harsh with government, for
none but the most loyal feelings move our breasts.
But against the suicidal policy of the late Minis
try-against the vascillating indecision of the
Minister of Foreign Relations, the handspring of
the late Cabinet. we protest. Measures might
have been taken, measures may still be taken. to
avert $, lamentable a result as a complete bank
ruptcy of our national affairs. The hobby of the
Ministry was, and still is, to reduce the du-
ties two-ffths on liquors and increase it one-half
on whalers imports, in the hope of a tremendously
increased revenue, and thus getting out of trouble.
Vain hope this Is the new Minister of Finance
to he controlled by such old fogy notions-is he
not able to trace the results of such a policy?
Has he not the boldness to step forward and be
the champion of the only policy which can aid us
in our present emergency, a measure which the
Minister of Foreign Relations may be expected to
fall in with. when he gets through with his in
terminable French treaty. In the former, we be-
lieye the whole nation has entire confidence. Let
him then come out, throw aside the vain theories
which have befogged the foreign Office for years,
and advocate what we must sooner or lat,r
demand-a tax on landed property. To at
tempt to get our revenue wholly from personal
tax or duties, and omit this, is unjust. The true
principles of government demand this change-a
change should long since have obtained, had
we nadine aid Of minister of adequate frmness
and ability to propose, argue and advocate itsad-
V1nIaRes- II INVOLVES no new pFiHclples. Out suCl
only as lie at the foundation of all good govern
ment, and Of every we'll regulated nation. In
:. Smiths Political Economy we find this sub
iect So well treated that we copy a few para
graphs:
"As government renders services TO each and
every one Of its constituents, every one ought to con-
tribute to the expense of its maintenance in the ratio
that he receives advantage. IL gives him security
for his person and his property. So far rs his pro-
perry is concerned, it is apparent that his contribution
should be estimated as it would be by ~ private in
surance company, by the amount at stake. If he
purchases Insurance nj any less rate, it can only be-
because some one else is made to pay more than his
fair proportion, and To take from his property for the
purpose Of adding TO that OF another. This is mani
vent it fails in the chief purpose Of is institution.
Every poll-tax is liable to this objection, whether paid
in money or by personal service. That n iaborer,
whose exerrions are required for the support Of his
family, should be compelled to expend a day in militia
duty. or pay the same communication as the man with
a large revenue, is palpsbly unequal and unjust.
The value Of protection TO the person IL incapable
of estimation. IF left TO different Individuals 10 de-
clare to what price they would purchase indemnity
from injury to life or limb, the rich would be more
apt 10 pay ia n proportion exceeding their property,
compared with the poor, than below IL. The greatest
number of the offences attended with violence to the
. erson, have their origin in designs upon property,
or arise from controversies relating TO property.
These reasons excuse any attempt TO regard The value
of personal Security as the basis for tlxation. Fit
be a consequence, that those who are destitute escape
contributing to expenses of which they share the
benefit there is the countervailing advantage, that it
tends TO facilitate the acquisition of property by them,
and to diminish that inequality of condition which
impedes the association of producers.
"The principle of equality demands that all taxes
for the sake OF revenue should be imposed directly,
because such is the only mode in which the contribu-
ton of each individual can be adjusted in proportion
to his means. Every tax upon consumption involves
the difficulty, thatinen's personal wants and indul-
gences vary greatly less than their capital or income.
The laborer, if ne does not consume quite as much
bread and meat, tea, coffee. sugar, cotton and wool,
&C., as the millionaire, devotes to their purchase a
large portion Of his income ; while the capitalist
furnishes himself with the somewhat larger quantity Of
such commodities that he may consume. by the ex-
OF a small portion Of his income. Whatev-
CT articles may be selected, and however the per CEN
tage Of taxation may be graduated, it is q problem Of
indispensable difficulty to equalize the contributions Of
different classes Of consumers. or even to make any
teiezable approach 20 eQdnaity.
"f1Gpe thing all governments agree. All require
tnxos7 1oue shape or another. Although no TAX
Hather shQp4 g his rcand6, and the remunesssicn