The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-07-31

The bill for leyying direct tax, as reported in
the House of Representatives, met with too much
opposition from the representatives of the agricul
tural interests of the West to be allowed to pass
that the tax not distributed equally among
all classes of society, and that an unequal share
of the burthen was thrown upon landed proprie-
tors. 1t was accordingly reported back to the
committee for modification, with instructions that
the proportion TO be raised from direct taxation
should be reduced, and that larger amount
should be provided for by additional internal duties
The amended bill which passed the House accord
ingly, in addition to the excise on liquors and
other duties originally proposed leves tax of
three per cent. on all incomes of 5000 or over
ostensibly for the purpose of dividing the tax
more equally among the tax-paying citizens, but,
in reality, as the most feasible and expedient
method of making up the deficiency created by
the reduction of the amount TO be raised by direct
taxation on property.
By the introduction of this new feature the
farmer and owner of real estate only escapes from
tax upon his lands to be sadded with one upon
his annual receipts; and the enormous expense at
tendant upon the maintenance of the standing
army Of income assessors necessary to levy and
collect the tax, will, in all probability, make the
amount to be paid by each individual quite equal
to that which would have been levied under the
higher proposed tax on his property. But in adj
diion to the payment of tax which could readily
have been assessed by each State, at its own tax
valuation, and collected in the same manner as
the State taxes, every householder in the country
has now the prospect Of having his private sancti-
ty invaded by the prying and insolent curios-
ity of the national tax-gatherer, whose greatest
qualification will be 10 ferret out the exact state
OF every mans private pecuniary affairs, for the
purpose Of satisfying himself thoroughly of the
exact amount of income with which each indiyid.
ual is to be taxed.
But these are after all minor matters. The tax
as at present proposed to be levied is but a triae
In comparison with what il must be- even in
another year, if the Republican Administration is
sustained in its ruinous policy, and the Govern
ment debt is allowed 10 continue to increase with
the same fearful rapidly as at present. The
whole amount now proposed 10 be raised is ap-
portioned among all the States according to pop
ulation so that the total sum assessed as the quota
of the free States will not be sufficient for
the payment of the annual interest on
the Indebtedness already contracted by
the Government. This, then, is hui
opening wedge. 1t is, in fact, mere expert
ment for the purpose of accustoming the neck
of FESTIVE Americans TO the heavier yoke which
they, in all probability, will have to bear in the
future. Calling as it may be in the beginning,
thew will still he fOrcad IN cnbp,it. opd ,rbo, .Lr
annual tax TO be raised by this means is no
longer twenty, but forty millions, or even more,
and that too distributed, not among all the origi-
nal States, but among those free States alone
which have countenanced and abetted the ruinous
policy of the Republican party, it will be simple
question between absolute submission to the most
onerous system of direct taxation, or dsreputable
reputation. In forcing the Middle to ally them
selves with the Gulf States, and to consolidate
themselves with these in a separate and independent
Contederacy, the Northern States have cut them
selves OF from large portion of the country which
was dependent upon foreign manufacturers for
many of those wares, the Importation of which con-
trlbuted largely to the revenue heretofore derived
from customs. Not only, therefore, will this be
largely diminished for the future, but deprived
U
markets in the South, the inevitable result will be
an over production of American fabrics, and
portion of the Northern manufacturers will, ne
cessarily, be forced to turn their attention to the
production of other goods, which they now find
1t more advantageous 10 import from abroad The
result OF this must be still further diminution on
the receipts from imposts, and consequent in
crease in the amount to be raised from direct tax
alton A moderate duty on land, an excise on
liquors, tax upon carriages and watches, and
per centage upon incomes, onerous as they may
now appear to the tax payers, will not be suffi-
Gent TO meet the requirements OF the Government.
Other means, more obnoxious still. will have to
be resorted to- such the inhabitants of Euronean
countries have already been subjected to. For the
farmer there will be taxes not only upon his land
but upon his cattle, his horses and his mules
There will be licenses to. be paid by the wholesale
merchant of the city and the retailer in the small
country store. There will be licenses for LAWYERS
and doctors and bankers; for conveyancers and
apothecaries; for pedlarg and pawnbrokers. There
will be taxes on bonds and stocks and bankers
notes. There will be stamp duty on bank
notes and bank deposits on notes and che ks and
lease. No conveyance will be entered into and
no settlement will be made on which tax will
not be laid. Business men will be hampered in
every transaction which they enter into; and
every indulgence which they now allow them
themselves will be an additional source of expense
The burthen will he confined to no one class, but
will be distributed throughout the land in every
variety of form. The inhabitants of cities who
now complain of the heavy Stale and municipal
taxation, which absorbs about one-sixth of their
annual incomes will be forced TO contribute still
more largely from their receipts, and the farmer
and landowner will be taxed on scale which
has hitherto been unknown in the rural districts
of America.
And all this for the prosecution of a fruitless,
useless, fratricida war, inaugurated by section
al party, for selfish purposes, and prosecuted |
IN open violation of the constitutional rights of |
every American citizen. Will the men of the |
North pause before it is too late or are there no |
Constltuton-loving citizens in the free States TO |
oppose the outrageous actions of the Renuhlcan
Administration, and to save themselves and their
posterity from lasting burthens which otberv;so
must inevitably be fastened upon them?