Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-06-13
THE TOBACCO TAX.
Oppressive Operation of the Gus
toms and Internal Rev.
enue Laws.
SPEECH OF
HON. w. C. WHITTHORNE,
In the House of Representatives
-


1Gmt =.
The bill Oh. Il. No. 3572) to amend ex-
isting customs and internal revenue laws,
and for other purposes, being under eonsid-
Grafton, Mr.. Whitthorne said: Mr.. Chair
man, the honorable chairman of the Com
mittee ON Ways and Means in asking the
attention of the House to the considerations
! of the present bill, anthoritatively said, in
Substance, that the changes made and pro-
posed in the existing tariff laws by his COM
mittee were few, slight, and immaterial,
and so far as the amount Of revenue to be
derived therefrom was concerned. its sum
was nothing. So, then, the sinking fund
pledge of the Government is to remain dis
hcnOred; the demand OF the country for re-
lief is to be ignored, and doubt, uncertain
ty, and distress are TO rest upon the indus
tries of the people, at least until another
election shall determine for the guidance
of this committee in what quarter sits the
wind.
Sir, is it possible that the Committee on
Ways and Means can discover no relief?
Have they no policy TO submit to the coun-
try? Shall the government credit be dis
honored and the country bankrupted under
a "Micawber' policy? Is it not cruel
mOckery that they should bid us "wait for
something to turn up"
Sir, ought not the committee to recog-
nize the fact that the country is wearied
of class legislation, is sick of favoritism and
sectionalism in your tariff, and at once adj
dress themselves TO the task of relieving
the people Of the payment of bounties and
pensions to those who have for long years
enjoyed them under the name Of protection?
But it is urged that our public debt must
be met. Granted; yet it can only be paid
by taxes derived from the people. This
debt is an admitted charge upon the life of
the nation. 1t is not all, | submit, upon
the brief span allotted to its present inhabi-
tants. Is is wrong to crush them with its
weight. They only owe their part; our
successors tomorrow must and should
meet theirs. How should this be done? ID
is but just to levy only such am amount of
taxes as will equitably discharge cur part
Of it.. What is thai equitable part? [ an
answer, just that proportion Of our surplus
capital that we can part with without det-
riment to our present pursuits or injury 20
the Inheritance we leave t. our SUCCESSORS.
Your taxes ;.ra high, because you would
foster, enrich and protect by "bOunties and
PENSIONS as the gentleman frcm Illinois
calls it, favored few and favored section
Cf the country. Ifyou would reversethis and
do equal justice TO all, you would remodel
your tariff, collect your taxes simply in the
interest Of revenue, and just that amount
of revenue demanded by tho interest and
gradual payment Of your debt and an eco
nomical administration Of the Government.
Let it bear upon all sections, all capital aud
all industries alike.
This thought brings me directly 70 some
reflections upon proposition | had the
honor to submit at an early day Of the pre-
sent session. 1t was bill to repeal the tax
upon distilled spirits and tobacco. This
pFopOs- lion was submitted befJre the See
rotary of the Treasury had Informed this
House and the country Of the apprehended
deficiency in the revenue, and Was put for
ward under the influence of the predictions /
made by the distinguished chairman of /
the Committee on Ways and Means in the !
FOTty-second Congress Of what the oOur-
try might expect from the changes then 1
being made ia the tariff, endthe predictions
made by the distinguished chairman Of tho /
Committee on Appropriations, 4 revenue
OF about three hundred aud CITY millions
was promised by the chairman of Ways and
Means from the tariff Of 1872, and rednc-
ton of expenses for 1876, to two hundred
and thirty millions by the chairman Of APP
Taking this general basis and not be-
lies ing il Is either just Or polite to pay so
much Of the public debt as was COntem-
plated by large surplus Of taxation, be-
IieSed that the major portion Of the revenue
derived from the tax upon distille spirits
and tobacco could be dispensed with and
whatever deficiency might exist by its re-
peal could be and should he made I'D from
.he possessors the capital Of the country,
namely, banks, railroads, insurance and
1ther corporations.
One Of the ablest and most profound
Students of political economy said long
iince that "iaxatiQn ought 20 be levied at
he time or in the manner in which it Is
most likely to be convenient for the con-
ributOr to pay it." Taking this most wise
ule, which commends itself az once to the
approval of all Just men, together with the
njunctions Of the Constitution, | ana pre-
jared to maintain that the tax upon d IL
d spirits and tobacco is unjust and wong,
md should for this very reason be repealed.
1t is not the meaning Of your COnstitu-
ion and form OF governments to select one
industry and not all for taxation. Nor is
! in the meaning of that instrument that
he burden Of taxation shall fall exclusive
y upon one section or one ciiIne and not
pom all. Nor is it in the meaning Of that
instrument that the product of one man,
nd not all, shall be taken for the support
the common Government. You are eX-
-Ass,' r,-1hihiiad NV tho rAs's.it1aai.' s----