The mountain Democrat., 1865-10-21
Interests 81 the West, and how they
aust be Protected


Aaust be Protected.
The time for tax paying has arrived,
and the country ia. beginning to expert
snee some Of The practical effects of our
bungling system Of taxation and it is to
be hoped that the expressions may lead
to healthier political sentiment and to
the return Of men to Congress whose in
terests and instincts are IN s97nJG4I5 xi4A
those OF the people they represent. There
is scarcely = congressional district in the
whole country but has its own local in.
tests 10 be cared for in Congress, and
while 1t is to be expected that the repre-.
sentatiVes from each district will view
questions with reference to their national
effects, 1t should also be the duty OF each
representative to secure to his immediate
constituency such interests as their inter,
ests demand and the national good will
permit. Of late years We have heard of
very few members elected to CONgress to
attend to the interests of their constitu.
ents; the interests Of the different sections
have not for years been discussed by con-
gressional candidates save here and there
a rare instance; and when presenting
the nselves for re. election congressman
now seldom claim that they have secured
anything for their constituents, or com.
pretended and protected single in
terest Of the people they represent. The
people, even, have ceased to expect it,and
members whose services have been valu-
able to the party" are honored with a
reelection. AS the result of all this, we
have just such tax laws and aystems as
Wa see now.
Take the West for example. Her peo-
pie and all her interests, aud her prospect.
ty demands low taxation and low tariffs.
Who are her Congressman? Many Of
them from New England, very estimabls
gentlemen in every respect, we admit,
with some exceptions, and. as far as
ability, education and habits are concern
ed, worthy to represent any people any.
where, and yet the worst possible repre-
Sentatives the West could have in Con-
gress. They are imbued with the idea.
instilled into them from boyhood, that
New England is the pattern. and that all
that is necessary TO secure the prosperity
Of the nation is to secure the prosperity
of New England; and when any great
question is under consideration they i'm,
agine it with reference to its effect upon
New England, and If they find it will
confer benefits there, they take it for
granted that it will also confer benefits
upon the West; and if they find i: not
partial to New England interests. nothing
| 49,, La th., oHa &c
all other sections will not be equally dis,
astrOus 90.
The tax law and the tariff, when under
discussion in Congress were viewed in
this light, and most industrously pruned
Of every clause and provision which could
mitigate against or impose any burden
upon New England interests. A tariff
was provided containing such ample pro.
lection that New England manufacturers
we're enabled to increase the price Of their
commodities almost one half without
fear or possibility Of foreign competi-
ton. Their taxes are imposed upon them
in manner that they could shift to 9TH
er shoulders two dollars out Of every
three. The Western members were con-
tent with the fact that New England
could shift her taxes on other shoulders,
and never realized, or cared to realize,
that they were shifted to the shoulders Of
their own constituents. New England
was protected, and the laws must, per Sc,
be perfect.
The people of the West see the effects,
and feel in their pockets the results OF
this kind Of legislation, and can make up
their minds that matters will remain un-
changed, unless for the worse until they
look more closely into antecedents and
instincts of those they send to Congress.
A person with the enlarged ideas of mag.
ifcence and greatness of New England as
some of those men have, who were born
and reared there, whose hearts entertain
no pride or affection for any other section,
and regard the West simply as an ad-
junct of the "hub of the universe" are
no more fit to represent the people of the
West in Congress thaa an unnaturaliZed
foreigner, selected at random from the |
last cmigrant ship. Men must be sent /
to Congress who are aware of the exist
ence of the West as well as Of the negro,
and the operation Of the present unjust
and oppressive law will bring this con.
viction home to every taxpayers before
ne is called upon to vote for another Con.
gresham.
Give US low tariffs and an equitable
system Of taxation, and the burdens Of
the Government may be borne, but the
West will not and cannot support the
Government and New England too; if
We must support the Government, equity
demands that New England shift for her
SELF Chicago Times.