Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-14

Since the enormous expenditures connected
with the war were first commenced, we have con
sistently advocated efficient tax, 10 provide a
liberal portion OF the WAYS and means, and thus
To check prodigality and to keep down the rapidly
increasing public debt. But have not hest
tated to express our fears that politician maneu.
vering in or out of Congress. would overcome
the sense OF justice and interfere with the perfec
ton OF uniform system; and these fears have
been realized in the bill, synopsis of which we
have published
lt is impossible to study this measure as pro-
posed by the committee, without reaching the
conclusion that It's authors were governed far
more by their Difference TO popular prejudices,
than by any desire To make an equitable division
of the national burdens. IL Is drawn with no liz
tie skill and care, but the design is manifest to
avoid the clamOr of the Liberal classes and to
lay the entire load upon the most willing should
ers. There il, throughout, marked exception
in favor of that sturdy ability which is too indie
pendent to be taxed without grumbling, and the
inequ llity OF the measure in this respect are too
glazing TO escape notice.
The classes which have suffered most bv the
national difficulties are here made TO repeat their
sacrifices, while those who have suffered lelst
hitherto almost wholly exempt from contribu
ton. We see no reason why persons with small
incomes should not pay the same proportion of
the tax those whose receipts and expenses are
on larger scale. The mass of persons in cOun
try villages with an income OF 5000 per anuum
are Tar better able to pay three per cent oil il into
the treasury, than those in larger towns whose
income ranges from one thousand to twelve hun
dred dollars. Nor can We see why an act should
be so framed as To bear more heavily upon trade
and commerce than upon agriculture. Ii is true
that the tOrmer has more ready money at COM
mand, but the tax should not be measured by IN
cility so much as ability, unless a respect tor the
labor of the collector is more important than
regard u the justice OF the levy.
The Constitution preScrbes that direct taxa
ton lall be in proportion to the census, and the
iarest method OF raising the money would prob.
ably be to assign each State is portion, anu al
low IT. authorities 10 determine the method OF its
collection. Ii was objected 20 this that the new
er States were less able To bear their full share in
proportion to their population; but in the meas
ure now proposed, this exception is carried tO the
other extreme OF course, so far ~ each nd
vidual consumes the taxed commodities he must
pay portion OF the revenue; but there are whole
classes who, IN addition To this tax on their con
sumption are to be heavily assessed upon the
gross expenses OF their business besides: while
other classes and even whole districts OF people
are almost wholly exempt
In addition 70 these signs of an intent 20 legis
late for the benefit OF certain classes aud districts
there are other manifest errors OF principle in
the construction OF the bill. One of tile most
striking Is the provision in relation to minufac
tureJ goods sec. 81 } which makes the tax a
lien upon the fabrics or products IN whatSoev or
hands found" Ii this Is adopted. an examined
and approved abstract OF title will be a necessary
accompaniment 10 each article of merchandise
Offered Tor sale; and every merchant must have a
legal department To search against taxes upon his
entire list OF purchases or I've liable to have the
goods followed TO bis hands by the inexorable
creditor.
Every one has felt that the great army of off.
cials which it creates is serious objection TO the
I'LL; but this must form part OF any general
system of taxation that is TO operate iuGepend.
emily Of the State IL must prove fruitful
source of corruption, besides large expense
10 the country, bur in neither of these rs
pets Is il likely 10 find any opposition from
scaeming politicians. The measure. as reported,
can be improved by limiting more closely the
number and emoluments OF the assessors and
collectors; and We think also should be amended
to give the former less arbitrary power by au-
thouzing an appeal from unjust decision; but
the tendency TO corruption in the use of this vast
patronage aud Official influence cannot we'll be
avoided 1t the = stem itself j. - be adopted
The peculiar burdens laid npon the pewspa-
perS in the bill under consideration have excited
much comment and already there are loud calls
for a change. We have no disposition to join in
the ciamor. tor our own axe. although the taxa
ton j. many fold larger than l. made 20 bear up
on any other Interest One OF our contemporaries
Is in error in asserting that the newspaper i TO
ee charged upon is product as a manufacturing
business: this Is specially excepted. but the re
naming burdens are, no doubt, enormous. The
elect al the measure. II enacted. sn. be 10 throw
Tie whole newspaper business into the hands OF
wealthy and powerful monOPolies. while the
weaker publishers would be ruined. The final