Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-23
WHISKY AND TOBACCO.
= Tennessee Congressman Protest
Against Additional Taxation.

On the 18th inst, while the tax and
tariff was under consideration in the
House, Hon. John II. Bright made the fol
lowing remarks, which we find reported in
the Congressional Record:
Mr.. Bright-Mr. Chairman, as a matter
of course, It would be impossible in the
five minutes Of time which ] have, through
the kindness Of my distinguished
friend from Indiana, (Mr. Nib
lack,) to discuss the grave queS-
tiOns which arise ont OF this bill. l rise
merely TO enter my protest against its pas
sage and only to make a few suggestions in
regard 90 it,
The first suggestion is that this bill is
unnecessary. Sir, when we look at the eX-
pcndilUT5s Of this government since 1865,
amounting up 20 the grand aggregate Of
nearly S4,iOOOOOOOJ. j. becomes matter
of Importance TO the House and the country
10 inquire into the eZtrdyagaut expenditures
of the administration Of the government.
Why, sir, the country is bleeding to death
with taxation and still we are called upon
for additional taxation instead Of applying
the pruning-kuife 20 eXtEavaganCes and
pairing them down. We see the mouths Of
our tax wounds sluicing the government
with revenues and yet we are called upon
10 enlarge the OTilICeS that we may have a
still further depletion Of the people. For
one, l will never give my consent TO such
policy. As the government breaches econ
OmY 10 tine people, let the government set
the example.
Another suggestion as TO the tax on
whisky. The honor Of the country is in
volyed in that tax. Much Of that whisky
is now in bond under contracts with the
Government. Yet, like the miller that
has received the grain, after once tOlliug it,
YOU propose to toll it again TO the lasting
dishOuOr Of the Government. Whatever
may be the moral questions involved,
either Iva the manufacture OF in the Use Of
ardent spirits, il is q matter Of commercial
traffic; and, 50 far as the traffic is con
cerned, it Is recognized by the Government,
aud those who engage in the traffic are en-
titled to O. fair dealing of the Govern
meut. / never viii put III peril nor tenn
pofize with the honor Of the Government
ia relation 10 it,
Another suggestion in relation to the
tobacco tax. My voice has been heard
heretofore in relation to this matter. l
nave denounced H. as unconstitutional.
Tobacco and cotton are the first crude pro
auctions Of the soil which have ever been
taxed by any Congress since the existence Of
the Government. This tax can find no
sanctuary either under the appouionment
or uniformity rule Of taxation. 1t is not
pretended that it falls under the appOTtiOn-
ment Iule. it cannot fall under the uni
iUmity rule, for we can as easily enact the
uniformity Of the climates and soils as the
uniformity Of the tobacco tax. The seven
tobacco States pay ], 800 per cent. more of
this tax than all the other sections Of the
Uni.ei States. It is unnecessary for us to
discuss the use Of tobacco. It is one Of the
great agricultural productions, and it meets
with all the other productions at the money
point. 1t is converted into the bread and
meat and clothing Of six hundred thousand
laJorers who are this day engaged in its
production.
We should remember that tax on to
baccO operates as q tax on the land, the
labor, and expenses employed IN the pro-
ductiOn. Increase the pressure Of taxation
and If may not be long before there is an
exodus of labOreTs from the tobaccO-felds. /
In behalf Of the Constitution Of the
United States; in behalf Of six hundred
thousand labOTerS; in behalf Of the labor
and resources Of the taA-burdeEed States;
in behalf of the harmony Of all our indus
tries, protest against the passage Of this |
bill.
l protest against the Government install |
inc itself landlord Of all the tobacco fields !
TO exact a rent charge from the tOiliug !
l9hnrer