The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-09
BALTIMORE.
FRIDAY, AUGUST o, 1861.

were hurriedly adopted by the Black Republicans
during the late extra session, the one providing
for an increase of the revenue will probably tend
more than anything else to arouse among the
people of the free States determined spirit of re-
sistance to the reckless and ruinous policy of the
Administration. We have already published
synopsis of the bill By reference to it it will be
found that it is sweeping in its provisions, and is
so cunningly framed that no individual, foreigner
or native, rich or poor white or black, can posi-
bly, escape contributing in one form or other, to
the support of the present Ubiquitous war. The
policy of the United States Government has hith-
erto been to cause taxation to fall most heavily |
upon the higher classes, and, while drawing the
greatest possible revenue from those articles used |
most extensively by the wealthy, to impose little |
no taxes upon those which contributed large
ly TO the comforts of the masses of the peo-
pie. Under this system the laboring classes, who
possessed no large amount even of personal pro-
perty, have not been required, either directly or
indirectly, to contribute in any way to the sup
port of either State or Federal Government. Their
poverty spared them from the direct taxation of
the first while those articles of foreign growth,
which were most extensively consumed by them,
were admitted either duty free or at a moderate
rate. Enabled thus to retain the whole of their
hard earned wages, for their own private necessi-
ties, and also, from the low cost at which they
were supplied, to purchase articles which they
otherwise would have been obliged to deny them
selves the condition of the laboring classes in the
United States has been much higher one than in
other countries. Articles, which are elsewhere re-
garded as luxuries are here in daily use; and tea,
coffee and sugar especially have become, for our
poorest farm hands and mechanics, prime necessi-
ties of life. 1t is on this class Of our population
that the tax for additional revenue is intended to
fall most heavily. 1t is to levy contributions on
the poor laborer and the needy mechanic many
of whom are now struggling for existence, that
this bill has been particularly framed; and the
Republican party, after having exhausted all other
means but one, turns to them and compels assist
ance to extrcate itself from the straits in which it
finds itself involved
The bill provides, to be sure for direct tax
OF $50 100000, 10 be laid upon the property
holders of all the States. But the proportion al
loted to the free States is only about two-thirds
OF this amount; and when the great expense ne
cessarily attendant upon the establishment of an
army of assessors whose business it will be to as
sess the whole property of the country, is taken
into consideration, and when we consider that
the entire cost of this assessment must be de-
Quoted from the collections of the first year, it is
scarcely to be expected that the receipts of the
Government, from the whole levy, can exceed
more than one-third of the SUN proposed to be
raised. The probability is, however that during
the first year there will be no collections at all
made from this source. Fully aware of the great
unpopularity of tile measure, the Republican party
has not dared to saddle itupon the people, without
hrst obtaining their full and free assent The bill
true has been passed and the determined policy
Of the Administration has been made known to the
capitalists of the world. They are thus assured that
the Government will not hesitate to take any step.
which may be deemed necessary, effectualy to
guarantee the payment of the interest of all
bonds which may be issued. But, at the same
time, care has been taken to fix the first day of
next April as the time for the valuation of prop
erty, preliminary to the levying of the tax; and
an opportunity is thus given to the people, through
their Representatives, at the next meeting of Con-
gress, to confirm or disapprove of the hasty egisa-
ton of the past session. There can be little doubt
that a very vigorous and probably successful at
tempt will then be made to repeal that portion of
this act which relates to direct taxation. AL
though the Indebtedness incurred by the Northern
States in the present war is already so enormous
that extraordinary means must inevitably be re-
sorted to- for the payment merely of the annual in
terest still the idea of direct taxation s so repug.
nant to the American people, that it will be resist
ed until the last moment, and the evil hour kept
nllOf mill the ir ,l,,t :.
other resource.
Another portion of the bill provides for an in
come tax OF three per cent. to be levied on the
excess OF all incomes which shall amount to over
$500. Incomes of absentees are to be taxed five
per cent, unless they are derived from Govern
ment stocks, when they are only to be one and
half per cent which is one per cent less than the
TAX on the same stocks at home Inducements
are thus held out to wealthy citizens residing
abroad to invest their funds in Government secu-
rites, and promise is given that large additional
revenue will be raised from the income tax. But
like the direct tax it is mere blind, and can de-
ceive no one. The bill expressly provides that no
portion of this tax shall be levied before the first
day OF January next, and meanwhile the public
mas ample opportunity to instruct its representa-
ti'NS "hSthCh tnlo Will Dc submitted 10 or not.
With the tariff, however, it is different This
portion OF the act takes effect immediately
Henceorth the poor man is to be taxed four cents
pound for his coffee, fifteen cents for his tea and
one and quarter to one and three-quarter cents
more for his sugar. Extra duties are laid upon
the simple condiments with which he fiavors his
frugal meal-even salt and pepper not having
been forgotten An additional duty is laid upon
all kinds of brandies and liquors. and, in fact, the
amendment to the Black Tariff of March is so ar
ranged, that more than two-thrds of the increased
revenue is expected 10 be raised from those articles
which are most largely consumed at the tables of
the poorest classes of the community.
The poor man who has hitherto been permitted
10 ENJOY bis little all, and to live in ignorance of
the TACT must at last be convinced that we shave
Government" From the day of the passage of
This act, he learns it to his cost His breakfast il
taxed, his dinner is taxed, his supper is taxed |
For the future, he is not to be allowed the luxury
Oh piece OF gingerbread, on holiday occasion,
or treat to pudding on Christmas day, without
paying an extra price for the sugar, the spices the
p'uhs ana the brandy, if he still can afford them,
anu "ilhout being forcibly reminded how deenlv |
ne Is indebted to the LINCOLN Administrations |
But more surely than were the expressions Of tho |
tyrants OF old avenged by the spirit of the Goodies.
NEMESIS will just and speedy retribution be |
meted out for this last wicked and insane attack
upon the scanty earnings of the poor. We say
wicked, because there was one other means which
could have been resorted to-, barely referred to
above, which would have done away, at least,
with the necessity of levying 50 high duty on
tea and coffee. We alude to a reduction of
the duty on iron, manufactures OF iron and
wood screws. A reduction of duty on these
articles would not only have been the means |
OF bringing considerable amount of revenue into |
lhe Treasury, but would at the same time, have |
iesSened the prices, in these times of 20 verify and
heeu, Oh great many of those common article.
"hlcn are In constant and universal use. Such
measure was, indeed, limited at; but Pennsvl
Vanla, who is principally interested and. indeed
SO lar as regards iron, is almost the onIv State
which would not be satisfied with a moderate dntv
would not listen to it. That State sold ;tse,f 70
Inc Black Republican party for the purpose of oh.
Aning high protection to its manufactures. and
OF oenehtting itself exclusively at the expense Of
.ne whole Union. Without the vote of Pennsv,-
- :. LINCOLN could not have been elected: and
principally, is the country indebted for Tho
no.a ha,noa .aS'auon which Pennsylvania selfish.
neso nepsu 10 commence, and Pennsylvania fanat-
loiSni has encouraged and Sustained III.