The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-11-03
Facts for the People About Taxes.

The following statements with refer
ence to our financial condition are de-
rived from official sources. They may
be relied upon, and every taxpayer
should carry them in his pocket:
First, the amount of money collected
from the people by Federal taxation,
from July, 1855, to July, lS6S-three
years of peace-reached S1,594, H.
900 -7...r.,., ......---.-.
Second. The taxes paid by the peo-
pie into the Federal Treasury for the year
ending July 1866, were over five hun.
dred and sixty millions for 1867, over
five hundred millions, and for 1868, over
four hundred and seventy millions.
Third. These taxes are in adition to
all indirect taxation, such as taxation on
the necessaries of life, for the protection
of manufacturers, for fees to office hol-
ders not paid out of the Treasury. DC,
and to all local taxation. They are al
so in addition to the immense revenue
derived from the sale of property accum-
ulated during the war.
Fourth. The direct tax paid into the
custom houses no imported goods the
past three years amounted to more than
seven hundred and twenty five million
dollars, all paid by the people who used
the imported articles. -.ssfs.saE
Fifth The expenditures of the Govern
ment during these three years, including
deficiencies, equal the whole sum of tax
es collected
Sixth. The Federal taxation Of the
past three years has averaged over S34
to each man, woman, and child of the
whole population, while the average tax
alton in France for the same time is but
S22 to each individual, and in Austria
less than SIG, and in the last two com-
tries the local taxes are comparatively
small. .t.--, --..--....-.z
Seventh. The national debt averages
nearly half more to each individual Of
the population than in France, and is
more than twelve times larger in propoi-
ton to population than that of Prus
sia. .-,,.ss
Eighth. The nearly sixteen hundred
millions in taxes collected from the
people of this country during the past
three years have been mainly collected
from the pockets of merchants, mechan-
les, farmers, and laborers.
Ninth To pay the principal of the
debt according to the Radical program
me would require more coin than now
exists in the known world, and the in
terest would have to be provided for in
addition. "a -....--5 -,
Tenth. In the last three years that
portion of the national debt which requi-
res the payment of interest in gold by
Radical connivance has been increased
more than six hundred millions-wholly
at the expense of the people, and for the
bondholders. --.-
Eleventh. The expenditures of the
Government for 1S67-6S amounted to
S14S, 100000 more than when the Dem
ocratic party was in power during 1860.
During the decade from 1S50-5l to
1S60-61 the average expenditures of the
Government amounted to only fifty-two
million dollars
Twelfth. We are told in the report Of
the Commissioner of Revenue, (see page
27) sent to the United States Senate,
January Sd, 1867. that assuming the
value ofthe real and personal property
of the United States to have increased
since 1S60-the date of the last census
sufficiently to compensate for all the
losses and depreciations growing out of
the war, the ratio of taxation to proper
ty the last fiscal year, was three and min
ETY. three hundredths per cent.
Nearly four cents on dollar, which
is four dollars on every hundred dollars
of property, while
During the same year the estimated
ratio of taxation to property in Great
Britain was nine-tenths of one per cent" :"
which is nine mills on the dollar, or on
+ly ninety cents to every hundred dollars
on the general valuation of property.
This estimate is not based upon the tax
es directly collected from the people; but
it is the general amount raised from all
the sources Of taxation, direct and in-
direct. .5ra
In proportion to the wealth of the two
nations, the taxes in the United States
are five times as great as in Great Brit
ain; and yet England supports the larg
est navy the world has ever seen, has a
monarchy, and royal blood whose pen
sions amount to millions, and is proud
and naughty aristocracy-N. Y. Er-
press. r
EyaSister," said one of the brethren
at love feast, "are you happy?" "Yes,
deacon. ! feel as though l was in Beel-