The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-28
This exhibit shows that in the year ended

This exhibit shows tDat IN inc year elidea |
June 80, 1871, 1863 per cent. of the entire |
amount realized by internal revenue taxa
ton was collected in Virginia, and ID per
cent. of the entire amount of tax realized
from tobacco, her staple crop No one
contends that tobacco representing S4,363,-
Oil of tax was consumed in Virginia, con-
sequently the actual contribution to the
national treasury must be measured by the
quantity consumed in the State, which, at
liberal estimate, cannot be over one pound
for every illhabitant, one million two hum
dred thousand pounds, one-half at &c.,,
and one-half at &c. per pound, say $685.
900.
We do not claim that Virginia pays too
little, for her poverty forbids free consump-
ton of Injuries, and no one regrets more
than ourselves, chat the exigencies OF pub
lie credit, to provide for the interest upon,
and retirement of public obligations the
issue of which was forced upon us by the
madness of secession) necessitate any inter-
nal revenue taxation whatever. For the
debt, and financial system requisite to pro-
vide for it, we are indebted to Democracy /;
which inaugurated and prosecuted relentless
war against the U. S. government.
We say nothing about the fact that grain
producing States contribute S46,2S2, POS
as tax on spirits, and s7,3s9,l4l as tax on
fermented liquors, against s50e,35o, col
lected in Virginia as tax on spirits, and
/ $3.50 as tax on fermented liquors, except
to inform our captous contemporaries that
Virginia is not bearing the entire burden of
taxation, wruug from her poverty by ga
4 swarm of officials - but though really the
/ guilty cause Of the war which inflicted
upon the nation a burdensome debt, in
stead of enforcing the just penalty of the
transgression upon her, the loyal States in
vite her to resume her former place as one Of
the family of States, and call upon her to
contribute to the general expenses her ra-
teable quota, proportional to her strength
and means.
We had another object in calling atten-
ton to the misstatcments by the press,
and especially by the Wing and Enquirer,
/ in relation to the assessment and collection
i of national revenue.
We desired to make an inquiry-what
is meant by the following language recon
mcnding PRODUCTION of taxation and sim
plifying the revenue so as to raise an
income from as faao articles as possible,
and those lu1mies. The entire revenue Of
the government might be drawn from a
dozen aticles.p asa
Under what head does the Enquirer class
our staple, tobacco, except under that oil
"luxuries"? Yet while United States
officers have been deputed to visit the diff
ferent centres of the tobacco trade in Vr-
ginia, and consult with dealers and manu-
facturers as to the best means of relieving
the trade from necessary, but troublesome
restrictions, and preparing for reduction
of tax on tobacco, as prayed for by the
farmers and manufacturers, the Richmond
press is attempting to enforce policy
which, instead of bringing about reduc-
ton of tax, must inevitably lead to i'm
position of increased rate.
1t is one Of the evil signs Of the times thai
Democratic papers should be found adyo
eating or conserving, for mere party pur
poses, to policy which, if adopted, woulC
prove rtinous to the interests of the peopl,
of Virginia. Is not the effect Of the policy
of hate and isolation, which has been re
commended by them, disastrous enough t.
satisfy even the mostextreme and reckless
or are we in our lowest depths" to fine
lower deep" of ruin opened to swallow
! the last hope of a patient, suffering people
| by compelling increased taxation of oul
staple, tobacco, and forming our industrial
interests into position of helpless and hope
less struggle against powerful and wealthy
European manufacturers?