Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-06-24
Government Finances Direct TaxntIOn-
A Public Debt

Public Debt
The question OF reveuue-the means to
carry on the war, and to pay the expenses
already incurred-ought to, and perhaps
will, engage the attention of Congress. We
say sought to-" for experience has abuud-
antly shown that especially in times of
public disturbance, Legislative bodies do not
always, nor even generally, attend to that
branch of their duty which is actually the
most pressing, and the most entirely within
their province.
Congress will probably dispute largely
upon the causes of the war, discuss the ma
ture and extent of the liberties which Mr..
Lincoln bas taken with the Constitution,
weigh and measure compromises and prOpo-
sitions for conciliafion, agitate upon the
policy which the Administration has pursued
or is puIsuing in short, busy itself in inter-
fering with executive, when it should attend
to legislative, affairs.
Such is the history of civil disturbances.
The head of the State, while contending
with the rebels upon the one hand, has been
obliged TO sustain the pressure of a factious
and captious legislative assembly upon the
other. Oliver Cromwell-"the greatest king
tlat England ever had was forced to turn
the rump of parliament chosen by himself
out Of doors because it would not attend to
its legitimate duties, and because, by its de-
bates and intrigues, it "ouly added to the
public confusion"
But suppose that Congress does consent to
give portion of its time and attention to
the subject of the National finances, the
question is, What is to be done? In these
times, of extraordinary expenditure, the main
source from which the National revenues
have been hitherto derived, is, by much, less
productive than usual, while the current
outlay of the Government is greatly in-
creased.
The New York Times is decidedly in
clined to favor the policy of direct t0zdtioa;"
because "if judiciously employed, it would
not only add largely to the direct and imme-
dste resources Of the Government, but
would greatly facilitate its other financial
operations This is probably true; and if
the Government were the only party in
interes: to the question, it could be easily
settled in that way. There would be
nothing to do but pile up the leVies, and pro-
coed to collect sseuHdum artenI.
But there happens to be another party,
and one whose interest is of no secondary
importance--the people in their private
eapaeity-upou whom direct taxation will
operate in quite different way from that in
which it operates upon the Government. In
fact, in proportion as the Government is easy
the people win be the opposite; ndhOwevel
sincere may be the pleasure which the latte
will experience in view of the opuleney o
the former, it is doubtful whether tina
pleasure will be taken in full satisfaction fo
the real distress at which it is purchased.
We have long been of the opinion tina
the true plan for raising means to supper
Government is by direct taxation. We be
lieve that, under ordinary circumstances
Government resources should be raised il
no other way. But the question whethe
now is the time to change from one reyenu
system to another, involves more than an in
quiry into the comparative merits Of the two
In consequence of the distracted state of th
country, and of the reputation of vast sum
OF Indebtedness, the ability Of the people I
pay taxes Of any kind is al its lowest poiat
and any additional burdens thrown upO
them now would be productive Of extrem
suffering. To draw from them, by any pro
eeeding, an amount Of money equal 10 th
current expenses Of the Government woul
be utterly ruihous. OF course, if it were ali
solutely necessary, it could be done; bat tn
necessity Is not demonstrated; and until
is, there Is no need 70 devise ways and mean
70 meet 1t.
We are not prepared to say that ther
should, even now, be no direct taxation
but We are prepared to say that immediat
direct taxation 70 the extent to add yer
largely to the present resources Of the Coz
eminent would be oppressive. As u
country shall gather It's energies and bus
nsHs Life return, some thing may be done
that wayi but ths process Of recuPeratiO
via be slow; and. in the mean time, thel
demands which, by some means or Othe
must be supplied.
The- sense ef ths people Of the URit'