Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-01-01
Affairs in CONGRESS.

Congress since the beginning of the pres.
eut session, most deserving Of approval
and support, is the one, brought forward
by the Ways aud Means Committee, to
abolish the offices Of assessors and collcc-
tors and other agents Of tho Internal Rev.
enue Department, and to apportion tho
amount, of tax necessary to Be raised from
domestic sources among the several States,
in proportion to their population. The
Treasury, we all know, must be provided
for and that mode Of supplying it which
inficts the least annoyance and bears the
most lightly aud easily upon the mass of
the producing population, is the one to
be sought out aud tolerated above all
others. The present domestic or internal
revenue system is one Of the most difficult
to be administered, the most annoying and
troublesome, and withal the most objec-
tionable revenue measures ever inflicted
upon the country since the achievement of
its independence from the British rule
The whole thing is mass Of complication
and confusion, aud with all possible pains.
taking in its administration, the system
does not aud cannot prove efficient and
satisfactory. The proposition of the CON-
mittee in question, to take the matter of
direct domestic taxation extirely out Of
the hands Of Congress and repose it in the
several States, is sensible, statesmanlike,
aud evinces the honesty of the said Com
mittee and their disposition to put things
in their proper places. Congress has the
power to "lcvy and collect taxes" it is
true; but still it appears more proper for
domestic direct taxation, and the Federal
Government to control the matter Of tariff
duties. The Federal Government was
created by the States and for the States or
the people thereof, to aid them in the exc
cution of their own inherent sovereign
powers, and it seems quite proper that the
States should provide for its wants and
necessities. They supply all its members
and officers either directly or indirectly,
and it really seems to be their proper pre-
rogative to provide for its expenses also,
and that through any mode or modes of
taxation satisfactory to themselves. l am
aware that l shall be dubbed a Estate
Rights man." and that is exactly what I
desire to be called, politically. When the
States have no rights independent Of the
Federal authority, should say at once
that our republican government, in the
true and correct sense Of the term, was
but thing in name onl "a shadow with
out the substance. But to return directly
to the subject under consideration. The
States are under the necessity Of employ
ing and supporting assessors and collectors
to levy and collect taxes for their own do
mestic uses, and it would involve them in
no additional expense to levy and collect
for themselves and the Federal Govern.
ment at the same time. The only differ
ence would consist in the increased
rate or percentage of taxation, and no ad-
ditional expense Of levy and collection
would accrue. Consequently, it will read
lily be seen that all the salaries and fees of
the vast horde Of Federal revenue officials
would be saved to the Treasury, to say
nothing about the pilfcrings by the way,
side--an amount altogether of no inconsid.
cradle magnitude, aud one which would
contribute much to the relief Of needy
Treasury. Let the proposed change be
made by all means, and let the legion of
vampires in the shape of Internal Revenue
officials, all be dismissed until further or.
ders, and thus relieve the tax payers of
one Of their greatest annoyanccs.
The next most important proposition
though one not entitled to approval
comes from the Judiciary Committee.
The object of the proposed measure, with
out question, is to raise breastwork to
protect a Radical Congress in its unconsti-
tutional legislation. Knowing that they
have been running the Government out
side the Constitution, and fearing the
overthrow of their acts at some future pc.
Rod, the RAIDS propose to "cnact" that
the judicial power of the United States
does not embrace the political power; that
the reconstruction acts" Of Congress are
political in their character, and therefore
the judicial power" has nothing to do
with them, and must not and shall not in.
terfere. That's the sum and substance Of
the first section of the proposed Judiciary
Committee bill in question. Section two
declares that it rests solely with Congress
to decide what government is established
in any State; declares that no civil State
government exits in Virginia, Mississippi
or Texas; forbids either the executive or
judicial authorities from recognizing
any so.called State Governments in these
States as valid, until. such State is repre-
scented 10 Congress. So they so. Con-
gress claims the right to run the Govern
ment on its own hook, either inside or
outside Of the Federal compact, just as it
pleases, and if any other department of
the Government is likely to interpose OBJ
jections and to check it in its unauthor-
ICED proceedings, law is then made to
the effect chat Congress can do as it pleases,
and it is nobodys business but its owp.
1t can keep State unrcpresentei, tax it,
and torment it with military interference
in its domestic affairs, until it is fairly tor
tnred into compliance with its Congress }
1 e II, O.