The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-11-09
Taxation IN England.

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Taxation has now reached such point
that even the most encouraging statement of
the revenue will fail of awaking q cheerful
response in the minds of the public. Where
so much is paid, where taxes seem ever to
be on the increase, people will say that it is
no wonder that the revenue keeps up, and
that official accountants burst into quarterly
Civilizations at theexpansiveness of the coun-
try's resources. The abstract for the year
and quarter presents no very remarkable
features. The revenue is pretty much what
was to have been expected. The country
has been fairly prosperous, and no straiten-
ing from deficiency of harvest has been felt
as yet The working classes have been we'll
employed, excisable and duty paying articles
have been consumed, in large quantities,
and nothing has occurred to ipjure any i'm
portant branch of the revenue. This, how
ever, has been fortunately the character of
the national finance tor some years past, and
so the present return only shows continu-
alton Of former well being.
The first fact that strikes US on looking
over the table is the enormous sum annually
collected, and spent for the most part in war
and preparations for war. The gross produce
of the revenue for the year ending September
30, 1860, is no less than 70,809,977. This,
in time of profound European peace, is the
sum which hardly sufices for one years ex-
penses, which is so bare competence that
the House of Lords, with the assent of the
most prudent men Of all parties, refused to
abolish the paper duties for fear of a deficit.
Seventy millions sterling, besides poor rates,
and imposts of all kinds for domestic pur.
poses A sum equal to the whole available
capital of more than one small State spent
every year in paying the cost of wars past
or expected! It is well that we should
occasionally look steadily at the great spec
tire of national extravaganza, and once
quarter is not too often. Within year
this expenditure, already enormous, has been
largely increased.
For the year ending September 30, 1859,
it was EOS 5,990,297 close upon five mil
lions sterling is, therefore, the excess of
1860 over 1859. This sum is the extra in.
surance we pay for our lives and properties
on account Of the military government
which is established at our doors. The
campaign in Italy, and the construction of
a powerful French feet, have been answered
by increased activity in our dockyards, and
by the creation of naval force which was
supposed likely to render hopeless any posi-
sible designs of rivals. This may have
been necessary on our part we believe it
was, and that England has gained influence,
and Europe more certain hopes of tranquil
lity through the exertions of last year. But
the cost has been so great that even this, the
richest nation in the world, feels the drain
on its resources and wonders where such
trials are to end. The creation of a Chan
mel feet which, after all, may be useless, has
been made possible by the levying of what
is really war income tax. The produce
of this impost for the year just ended is no
less than sl2,3O9,8l6. 1t is indeed won
derful that with such burdens the country
should be patient and undiscouraged.
To come down to details, we find that
there has been decrease in the receipts
from the customs, which is attributable
chiefly to the remission of duties. This de.
crease amounts to 4688,866 on the quarter,
and sl ,4l2,37l on the year. In the excise
there is decrease on the year of 1885,
600. In fact, the shortening of the term of
credit for malt duty has so altered the per-
icds of collection that the retnrn furnishes
no Ineligible Information. 1t is, however,
asserted that tie productiveness of the ex-
else increases, and that there is no reason
for fear on this ground. The New Re-
freshment Houses Bill is in full operation,
and an appreciable sum has been BY other
establishments and wine retailers generally.
The new stamp duties cause an increase
in the receipts from this branch of taxation
to the extent of e279,277 on the year. The
Post-ofice fourishes, the increase on the
year being no less than ELS 900, showing
q goodIy number of letters carried. The
whole amount raised 10 the year just ended
is, from the Customs, G23, 1896, 1896, and from
the Excise, G2O, $40, 900. These huge items,
together with the ten Millions of income
tax, make up the bulk of the revenue. The
country is, happily, able to furnish these
great sums, but we cannot help thinking
that taxation has almost reached its limit,
and the efforts Of the government should be
directed in the coming session to some al
deviation of the public burdens.-London
| Times.