Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-10-18
VOICE FROM,
Ex-Gov. Seymour.

ter from Gov. Seymour was read -
To WHEELER II. PECKnAM, ESQ
PRESIDENT TILDEN AND HENDRICKS
CLUE:
DEAR Slit am sorry cannot at
tend the mass meeting at the Coon er
Institute have MT been able at
any time within the past four months
to travel on the railroads, and even If
| could reach your city | am not
strong enough. to address large au-
dence, | should be glad to speak to
the business men of New York about
the INJURY to It's commerce by taxa
ton, as that is Il subject to which |
have given much thought.
An attempt has been made to show
that the cost of our Government is
less for each person than AT former
times, 1t is singular that this is sta
ted by Republican Senators, who by
their votes compel one class to pay
more than their share u taxes, and in
way that makes them poorer, while
1t onrlches others. The cost Of our
Government ought not to keep pace
with the increase of numbers. Its du.
ties are few and limited. The ques-
ton is, Are our taxes too heavy, and
are they fairly imposed ? We have a
great war debt to pay, ard all other
expenses should be kept down to the
lowest point. Yet the cost Of the
Government in 1875, above all pay
ments on account Of the war, was
near] y twice as great as the largest
amount it ever reached before that pc
Rod. Ii is more than twice as great
as it was when we sent fleets and arm
les to conquer Mexico. That taxation
and the way in which it is put on, has
crushed the business of our country,
is made clear by what you see in New
York.
Why is your city now flied with
strangers ? Why does its business
suddenly revive? Merely because the
great railroad lines put down to the
lowest point their taxes for carrying
property and persons. This has sent
the produce Of the West to the mark
cts of the world enabled its people
to buy our goods of home or foreign
make, and come to the East Ton purpo-
ses OF business or pleasure. If the
railroads should put on their charges
again-and it is said they will soon do
so--then all this will be changed.
Business and travel will fall off at
once. 1.-THE cutting down of railroad
taxes gives new life to business, then
Il reduction Of the greater charges of
Government will do the same thing.
We cannot afford to have our prosper
ity hang upon the policy Of corpora
tons. think they acted wisely and
well when they put down their char
ges. BY this they holp the public.
But it is not believed that they can af.
ford to keep them down. Railroad
managers claim that the enormous
taxes put upon the materials Of their
roads. and its influence upon the price
Of labor, makes nearly one-third the
cost Of their construction.
This taxation has become part of
heir capital upon which they must
,arn dividends We see that the
business OF the country has not only
% pay its taxes, but it must enable the
abroad to pay their taxes Beyond
hat they must be enabled to pay div
dends ON former taxation, which
makes part Of their capital. We
must not, therefore, depend upon low
abroad charges tor lasting relief. We
ought not to look to them, but to our
1t railroads can reform
heir expenses the Government can
10 the same thing. Its burdens are
90 great and they are imposed in a
way thai is unequal and unjust.
About three times as much us the
whole cost OF our Government former
y is now taxed upon commerce.
These taxes arc cumulative upon the
,rain OF the West if i. Is sent to mark
It. They lessen out home business
md have destroyed our carrying trade
'pon the seas. Commerce is the great
Irving wheel which sets all other in
lustries in motion. 1t has been load
d during the past five years by an
yerage annual charge of more than
$4,000, 1000 This has enfeebled its
ction and lowered its power, and
his is the canse of the denresSinn of