Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-01-15
Government Taxation.

Government Taxation.
1t seems to US great error was made by
our Legislators at Washington in increas-
ing the duty on coffee, as between the du-
ty and those public sharks, spectators, the
prospect is that its consumption will be so
materially lessencd as in the end to Weld
less revenue at five cents per pound than
if the duty had been , or p. In this
ceunty-and we are informed it is the same
case over the State-thc consumption of
that article has already decreased one hun
dred per cent seven out of ten using one
third or one half rye or wheat, and others
discarding coffee altogether by substituting
those cereals. And what is most strange
we hear on all sides that heretofore invet
crate coifce-drinkers declare thatth mixed
article is "q'~tf, and with others Jciter, than
the pure. Now whether it is so, or only
imaginary, it is self evident to any discern
lug mind that duty calculated, with the
Operations Spectators, to enhance the
price of an article we cannot produce in
this country beyond what the people are
wiling to pay, must result in its partial cx
clusion from use, and consequently limited
revenue. There arc also other causes which
until removed by strict blockade of the
Southern Goa t, will keep up the price in
the West Indies and South America At
recent auction sale in Savannah, Gcor
2ia, the cargo Of vessel which had elu
dcd The blockade, brought GG cents pound
hy he qnrntity, being al least thee times
the price on the northern scaboard. Con
>eqncntty if British, Spanish, or other
merchant in the West Indies, should lose
two cargoes, but succeed with a third in
reaching a rebel port he would still be a
Sliue'. y vigorous blockade would soon
cure tbs part Of the speculation, ana they
would be glad to ship their coffee to open
ports; there met by moderate duty it
would increase the demand and the govern
mcnt realize handsome revenue.
Another error we think was committed
By not at the start taxing liquors of all
descriptions. Thus an excise duty of %
Of % cents per gallon on whisky and 9th
cr liquors distilled or manufactured for sale
IN this country, would produce far more
revenue than will ever be derived from cof-
fee or tea. 1t would besides aid more eff
tectually in producing moral revolution
among those who now are daily endanger-
ing life and health by the Incorporate use
ot liquor than any measure ever adopted
Even should it lessen the manufacture ma
tcrally, it could still be made to yield
an immense revenue probably as great as
that derived by Great Britain from tobacco,
which, if we remember rightly, amounts to
thirteen millions of dollars annually. Let
the experiment then be made, and let ev-
cry paper in the land ring into the ears Of
members of Congress, TAX WHISKY! 1t
will harm no one, and do, what perhaps
whisky never done before, some good.
-.
S9-As is generally the case, we furnish
ed our citizens with the first copies of the
Governors message, and on thursday sup
piled our subscribers over the county
The document is an able one, and gives a
clear exposition of the affairs of the State,
as we'll as of the proud position we occupy
in putting down the infamous rebellion got
up by Davis and his Breckinridge coadju-
tors e.# sfE-'a
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.-On the 18th ult.,
We learn from the Democrat, near Newton
HamiltoE, (but in Huntingdon county,)
Robert Bell, (son of Samuel,) was instant
ly killed by the discharge ofa rife in his
own hands 1t seems he desired to know
whether the gun was loaded, aud adopted
the FOOLS b sxpedient of pressing his foot
IN the h~mu,ar and hlnwinr In the muzzIa