Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-03-20
The True Commercial Policy of virginia

The True Commercial Policy OF Virglnln.
The people Of Virginia, aroused by the evil
dent hostility Of Northern sentiment and the
repeated assaults Of Northern legislation, have,
at length, directed their thoughts to the 7ulner-
able points Of their position and determined
to adopt course Of policy which shall place
The State in an independent attitude, where she
will he scfsustaned and sclt-protccte!d-ab!e
to dispense with Northern supplies and to defy
the aggressions of Northern enemies.
This determination has opened their eyes to
the commercial weakness and dependence OF
the Commonwealth; and they have appealed TO
their representatives in the Legislature to in
augurate system Of policy designed 10 revive
the spirit Of commerce throughout the State
to attract capital into the channels Of trade, to
extend intercourse with foreign countries, to
strengthen and stimulate this arm Of the State
upon which she must rely for a large part OF
her power and the complete development Of
her wealth.
While this earnes. and patriotic purpose is
universally iclt, there is wide difference OF
opinion as to the course Of policy which should
be pursued to secure the important objects III
view.
We venture TO predict, that the variety OF
schemes to bolster commerce, by special lesls-
lation, ul shoot wide Of the mark, and will end
in disappointment and diSaster-thnt Virginia
will never see the day Of her commercial reju-
venation until she places her merchants upon
an equal footing with her other citizens,
, and adopts the now universally received doc
,rincs Of free trade.
! If we look at the past legislative and appa'
rently settled policy of the State, who can be
Otherwise than surprised, that but 4 very limit
ed amount Of capital is invested in commerce
at home and in distant enterprises to and from
our ports? And if we listen TO The repeated
and apparently hopeless appeals Of our mer-
chants against the ruinous system of tiiscriml-
nation, who can expect to see their numbers
increase, or their wealth and energies multi
plied. while such system continues:
In the very constitution Of The Common
wealth, MS interpreted by legislation, may be
heard the rlcath.knci of all our hopes Of COM
mercial independence. Every individual and
every class is protected, and rests securely
under the clause providing for equal and uni.
| form taxation" except the merchant. Under
the indefinite provision authorizing taxation by
| license, the merchant is left at the mercy OF
every theorist or eXpcrincnter, and is ignorant
one year what his investment may cost hins
the next Without the security of any lmita-
ton on the taxing power, he is startled from time
to time by propositions which disturb all his en-
tcrprscS, and which promise result so d!saS-
trous as TO drive him from his home Is we'll as
from his livelihood.
! This is the incubus of the license tax, or the
tax upon sales, unlimited in per ccntagc by
any Jill Of rights, and liable to be increased
! aa libitam, in accordance with tic wisdom or
caprice Of the Legislature, against which the
merchants Of Virginia have been appealing and
pettioniug for relief for years past; and which
they have long represented would inevitably
result in holding rirginia back in the race for
commercial progress among the Atlantic States.
! Its upon the wisdom and experience OF mer-
chants which VIC must rely in every attempt to
place our commerce on basis which shall
eventually free us from dependence OH our
! Northern enemies Merchants Of every class
: have represented. 'iih unanimous sentiment,
! that the existing license law, in effect, i'm
poses ratio ri taxation on them exceed
ing in tic proportion Of five to one, the
ratio upon any other property Or Investment
in any other Industrial pursuit. They have
peti;ione,l, as 10" an act Of simple political JUS
tice and the paineSt civil equality, that they
should bc tayc, forty cents in tic hundred
dollars OIL their capital, as all other property in
the Commonwealth, except theirs, is taxed.
and that they should no ,oiIgcr hc the subjects
of Il distinct TAX, levied in different mode,
and subject to 10 definite limits whatever.
They have sought TO le relieved from the odions
idea that their position is such among the COM
poncnt parts Of the Stale as to make them fiji
subjects for license They have pointed
and may still continue to point at the back
ward position Of Virginia among the sra coast
States in commercial greatness and wealth. AZ
sad illustration Of the effect Of this mistaken
policy Of unequal and discriminating taxation.
notwithstanding our unrivalled natural advan-
tages, we creep on at but snai's pace in wi
dcning and extending the i:elda or the subjects
OF our trade.
When this shield Of equality und unitnrni-
ty' is held up for the permanent security OF
the commercial classes, as well As others; when
the capitalist feels confidence that his invest
ments in trade will not be ovcrburdenet, but
wIll hear the same rate Of taxation rs if made
elsewhere; when the approved doctrines OF
lrce-tradr--frce from determinations, rcStric-
tons ~ compulsory and heavy charges
shall prevail then, and not till thcn will Sir-
rina lie able TO tai 'ie place which belongs
To her rs 4 grea: anu powerful commercial as
"c!l as agricultural Commonwealth.
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The Electoral Districts.
The fifteenth District Convention have
chosen Messrs. Chas. a. Russell and Brown dele
gates to Charleston.
The Tenth District Convention have chosen