The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-02-20
Tax COLLECTING.

"Thc liberty Of the citizen is as sacred for nm
hour ~ for n lifetime We met with this senti-
ment in print n few days since, and quote it here
as not only true, but as in n measure applicable
to some phases of present affairs.
Taxes in this country as reckOned on the aggrc-
gate population are not oncrous. At the first
glance they appear quite reasonable in amount.
The statement to the world that this is a lightly
taxed people is plausible as far as any statistics
can 20 toward contradicting it. As a matter of
fact however it is well known, and it is acknowl-
edged too by very many, that there is a very un-
equal distribution of the burdens of government.
This is not denied even 10y the most enthusiastic
admirers and supporters of the Government. As
much progress, however, toward n change has
been made rs this: that ut the last session of the
Legislature a permanent Committee was appointed
to consider the matter, to mature plans for new
systems of taxation, and to report t~hcrcupOn to the
next Legislature. Ii will be borne in mind too
that there is a standing provision for the increase
Of property taxes in ease of the final ratification
Of the Reciprocity Treaty, the action Of which
Treaty will materially diminish the amount of in
direct taxation.
The llawaiians themselves do not especially
complain. They are not ii complaining people.
They do prefer suffering wrong to maxim. disturb
ancc. In point Of fact, too, the tribute 10 their
s~upcriors il 80 much lighter thun it used to be,
that it i not felt that there is any pressing rea-
son for complaint. Moreover they have not Yet
fairly grasPci the idea that the collection Of
revenue i not 80 much u tribute u n superior rs
an investment for the good OF the country. The
heaviest imI0sti i that upon the labor Of the coolies.
Five dollars Il n heavy percentage for the govern
mcnt TO take in this ease, whether il comes from
the planter or from the cDOlic. To the credit Of
former il should be said that il has been un-
grudsinsiy paid by the employer in most in
stances: We must adj, however, that there il
some unsDuui principle involved in this transac-
ton which cannot ia this article be discussed.
owing to it, intimate connection with the bonded
labor question.
Not only are the taxcs on the common people
%oncrous, but-and this Is our present object in
touching upon this subjcct-tlcre Is more or les
Of what We arc compelled to call petty tyranny
connected with the collecting business. This has
hardly appeared heretofore, at least has hardly
been known to those who appreciate its true
character. One reason of this, we fear. has been
the idca,-too common 10 all of us without cx-
ccptiOn,-that one code and style Of dealing will
DO well enough for n u kanaka or Chinaman.
but must not be attempted on white men. Ii is
encouraging TO see that many are beginning 70
see the false position thus taken, and to speak
nc; accordingly.
Here is 4 case in point. \ Chinaman has paid
his taxes. lie holds the receipt for that pay
inent. Through some mistake, either 10y the as
SCISSOR or collector, his name, or some name a
pgDI deal like II gues over int, tho li-r IF do
Iinquent taxpayers, and hc is finally served with
n warrant. The policeman demands that he should
to the station-house; if for nothing else, to
show his receipt, and that too when the warrant
reads d. appear ut my Office meaning that of the
Justice. Now it i more or less Of n dis
grace TO 90 through the streets with Il policeman
10 the station-house. IL Is n loss Of time TO
,ither employer or employee. 1t il making an
innocent person suffer the consequences of the
mistakes or ineficicncy Of Government offccrs.
\ foreigner would not submit to it. Why should
native or n Chinaman?
The reply will probably be something like this:
d.. There are - many names alike. both of Ha-
yaiIans and Chinese, or very nearly alike. Can't
make IN index. They all try to get rid of their
axes &c.. sc. All such difficulties merely call
or more vigilance, more tact. and more personal
attention on the part Of officers, and not for any
hing that will infringe upon the liberty Of the
itizen. The Government Loses nothing by cul-
waiting and respecting the sense Of personal
lights. 1t does lose by taking any course with &
he humber classes which it could easily be bull .
icd out Of by a more rc>olutc set. Another ,
iifcu!ty has hccn that persons utterly ignorant q