The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-03-24
state star,,p.Tnx.

we nave Deci JtuueSttu " pubaoi wv
following letter and statement OF figures
below from Mr.. w. z. Burwel', while I'D
Washington, 10 Mr.. John Il. Roller. con-
timing some very important facts aud figures
in connection with n State stamp-taX on oil
forms of agrccmentsiin writing, and on ar
dent spirits 4 bill for each of which is now
pending before the Finance Committee oil the
Legislature. In support OF these bllis Mr.
Burwcll is now engaged III making an afSu-
meDt before the committee:
"WAsulSGroN. ID. c., january 90, 1873.
SIR. John E. Roller:
"My Dear Sir,-Supposing that the figures
below, showing the fabulous sum OF Sl!oo,
$40, $40, which The Federal Treasury derived
in less than ten years from her internal reVc-
nue. system, would not be uninteresting TO
you at this time, while the Legislature Is
casting about for new subjects to increase
the revenues of the State, now so lmperi-
lively demanded for the preservation OF ner
credit, without at the same time increasing
the burdens on our agricultural classes IN
their landed and visible property, have at
TEMPTED below TO give from the most authen-
rio sources of information the revenues de-
rived from each specific subject, running
from the adoption of this internal revenue
system, September /, 1862, to the fiscal year
ending 3Uth June, 1872. Now that the
Federal Government has released It's hold on
most of these subjects, from which it de-
rived revenue agSregating over one thou
sand millions, and reduced the rates Oh the
few remaining subjects very mat crially from
its war standard, why may not the Lc9i:la-
turc on the part Of the State turn these same
streams, in part or whole, into our Stale
Treasury?
THE only subjects now in the grasp of
the Federal Excise System arc distilled
spirits, tobacco, fermented liquors., banks
ami bankers, adhesive stamps, (and these last
are now reduced TO bank-chcclS, drafts, or
ordcrs.) and friction matches. The settled
and announced policy Of all branches OF the
Government being now TO conllnc the whole
system Of Internal revenue taxation TO these
six subjects, from which the Government
alone collected about $I30,GO0.000 lust year.
If this subject could be properly brought to
the attention Of Congress ut the present
session, | doubt not Il LU@c majority would
now be in favor of removing all internal
rcyenues from all other subjects except
whskcy, tobacco, and lci1ncnted liquors.
In fact there is large class OF representa-
tiveS who are now Tor aboliShiuS The whole
Hill elluc lul tiIS iCs'Hbi
it brings into the Federal Treasury too much
revenue, and thereby invites an attack on
their tariff or protective system. These high
tariff men, though loud in their praises OF
this internal revenue system at first, though
unconstitutional As many of its features were,
and oppressive to the South as the cotton
and export tobacco taxes were, arc now
rapidly coming to the conclusion that Fede-
y,l Fri1 nf and 70
retain the tariff on the imports of the
country in order to give protection to their
industries, are in favor OF the repeal OF inc
whole internal revenue system.
eff this proposition was introduced on the
floor of the House Of Representatives to-
morrow it would secure, l feel assured, the
vote Of MIR. Kelley aud the whole OF that
protection party from Pennsylvania. Mr..
Dawes, tlle embodiment Of Massachusetts
aud New England prolCctiouists, avowcd at
the last session in the debate on the tulitl and
internal revenue bills that IlG was in favor OF
cnarying the free lists in both tariff and in
terna rcycnuc bills. New England, IL well
as PENNSYLVANIA, secs that the cotton and
woullcu manufacturers of the former and the
iron an,l coal interests OF the latter arc in
danger from these one hundred and thirty to
one hundred and fifty millions dollars OF IN
fcrnaI revenue being thus easily thrown into
the National Treasury. with two hundred and
twenty-five 10 two hundred and fifty millions
dollars Of customs revenue, leading as 1t
does to an imperial expenditure OF three
hundred and eighty to four hundred millions
dollars annually. The people arc getting
tired Of paying in time oi 4 profound peace
such vast war Sums into the National lrca-
Sllry, and Of in;ul3iag longer Mr.. bout-
wells oppressive financial policy, which Is
wlinging nearly one hundred millions dol
lars annually from the industries OF the
country to pay The principal OF Il DEL: which
is not due nor desired Oh the inrj OF the
creditors of The nation, and that, too. III such
u heavy premium.
Virginia, at this .junHurc oT her finances,
might very well begin to rs crt h"l cGordl-
nate right Of taxation over this class OF sub
iv,tS, Tor her constitutional power t. levy
uniform tax Oh al sales Of goous. whether
The product Of this state or other States OF
the Union. is clearly recognized by the Sll-
prcmc Court in Woodruff Us. Parlmm, S
Wallace Reports, p. l23.
In ms humble Judgment our party,
which now holds the dcStinies of the State,
will entitlc Itself in the coming State election
in Il much greater degree TO Il renewed popl!-
lar indor>aiion il the Legislature ut this scs-
sion would turn these streams, formerly so
fruitful i'll rrp!cllisiiing Federal Golfers, ,"to
our orn, thereby dcyising means to protect
the credit OF Virginia without liking further
oncrolls burdens Oh her agricultural classes.
II remain, very truly,
Your obedient servant,
"W1LLIAM L. BuRwELL."
81
C,mnaraiyc stlicmcn: showing the aggregate M