Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-07-15
rhs Interests Of the " est, aud How
rhey uuss be Presected.
From the Chicago Times

The time for tar paying has arrived, and the
country u beginning TO experience some OF the
practical effects OF our bungling aud unequal
system of taxation; and it il to be hoped that
the expressions NAV lead TO healthier political
sent ment. and ~ the return OF men 10 Congress
whose Interests aud instincts are Ia harmony with
those OF the people they represent. There IL
scarcely congressional district In the whole
country but has lie own local interests TO be cared
for in Congress. and while Il is TO be expected
that the Representative from each distrci will
view questions with reference to their national
effects, IL should also be the duty OF each repre-
sentative To secure TO his immediate constituency
such measures az their interests demand ard the
national good will permit OF late years We
have heard of very iew members elected 20 Con
gress TO attend to the interests Of their constitu
ents; the interests of the different sections have
not for years befs discussed by congressional
candidates save here and there rare instance;
aud when presenting themselves for re election
congressman now seldom claim that they have
secured anything tor their constituents. or com.
pretended and protected single interest OF the
people whom they represent The people, even.
have cessed % expect IL, aud members whose
services have been valuable TO the party are
honored With re- election. As the result of all
thu, We have just such tax laws snd systems as
see now.
Take the West for example. Her people ana
all ner interests are agricultural, aud her pros
perity demands Low trx ,tion aud low tariff,
Who are her CongressmeIg Many of them
from New England. very estimaoie gentlemen
In every respect ~e admit. 9th some exceptions.
aud. as tar "a ability. education aud hibita are
concerned. worthy 10 represent any people an,
where. ard yst the sOrst possible representatives
tue West could have 10 Cbugress They sro
imbued wnh the dea. ln.lilleJ into then irOm
boyhood that New Eagl aud is the pattern. ,nd
that all that ~ necessasrs Ia secure the prosperity
Ut the nation u To secure the prosperity OF New
Engauds and when any great measure - under
DISCUSSION, they 81 urine n with reefepce 10 il
effect upon New Enelrnd and " they htd it viii
confer benefits there. the, take u Tor lranted
lhss Il will also cOner benefits upou the We.f
aud n they had 70 not partial To- New EOgl.td
interests. nothing can convince them tnat the
effects upon all other sections will no, be equally
disastrous
The tax law aud tie tariff when under d,scu-.
son In Congress- were viewed ia this light, and
most indus,rou.ly rruncd 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 Engand manufacturers were
enabled TO increase the price of their commod-
ties almost one half. without the fear or posi-.
bility OF foreign composition Their taxes were
imposed upon them In such n manner that thay
could shift TO other 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. ana never realized,
or cared TO realize, that they were shifted TO the
shoulders OF their own constituents. New EGG
land WAS protected and tho law must. psr Sc, be
perfect
The people OF the West zee the effects. and
feel in their pockets the results of this kind Of
legislation. and eau make up their minds that
matters will remain unchanged. unless for the
worse. until they look more closely into the an
tecedents and instincts OF those they send to Con-
gress. A person With the enlarged ideas OF mag
nihcsnce and greatness Of New England as some
OF these men have. who were born and reared
there. whose hearts entertain no pride or affec
ton for any other section, and regard the Vest
simply a. al adjunct of the " hub Of the uni.
verse" are no more ht to represent the people Of
tho Wess in. Congress than an unntaturaliEed
foreigner selected At random from the las. emf
grant ship Men must be sent to Congress who
are aware OF the existence of the West. as we'll
a. OF the negro. aud the operations of the pres
snt uni ust and oppressive Law will bring this con
viction home to every tax payer before be 10
called upou to vote for another Congressman.
Give " low tariffs and an equitable system Of
taxation. aud the burdens of the Government
may be borne. but the W est will not. and can
not support the Government and New England
too; IL we must support the Government. equity
demands that New Eugand shift for herself.