Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-10-07
A LITTLE TALK.
THE NATIONAL DEBT, NATIONAL BANKS
AND THE TAXES.

A very intelligent and highly esteem
ed citizen, who has always been Re-
publican, and worth at least $4,000,
called on me last week, and he seemed
inclined to advocate the greenback poll
cy.
| asked him to state to me frlly and
frankly his complaints and the reasons
for joining hands with those whom he,
as Republican. had opposed these 20
years, and if they were good and suffi-
cient | would join the Greenback party,
too.
He said he would, and began:
l. "The great burden of the National
debt upon the people: it is crushing
their very life out"
In reply to his first complaint, said:
"How much money has gone from your
pocket during the last twelve months
into the National treasury more than
you paid II months before the war ~
He hesitated, and then replied that
he had never figured it closely.
"Well." said I, ''let us figure it. You
use salt, sugar and molasses. of course ?''
EYES," he replied, "and coffee and
tea, but there was always an import
duty on those articles ever since we
were government, and it is no higher
now, in fact not so high, as before the
war, because tea and coffee have been
admitted free of duty since the war. I
don't complain of that
"Well," said |, ''the only other arti-
cles upon which the government has
fixed tax are whisky. tobacco, bank
checks, patent and perfumed medicines
and matches. Do you use any of these %
"No," he replied, "only matches;
from 25 to SO lunches year, and the
duty is only one cent bunch"
"Then," 1 replied, "you pay. directly
and indirectly. not exceeding so cents
| year to the National Government. Do
you think that sufficient cause of COM
plant for US to abandon our principles
for which we have contended these 20
years ?"
"No he said. "But are you sure that
is all pay to the government so cents ?"
"Do you" I replied, "know of anoth-
er penny which you contributed to the
National treasury that you did not be-
fore the war ?"
He frankly said that he did not.
"Rut +" said he .what is all th,s hna
and cry by these Greenback speakers
about the burdens of taxation? ? 1t must
be all buncombe."
"Yes," replied, SIT is the cry of the
demagogue. You will find that the uni
form policy of the Republican party has
been to tax the luxuries and not the
necessities of life, thereby reaching the
rich and not the poor. A careful ex-
animation of the internal revenue laws
passed since the beginning of the war
will prove it.
SOUR debts contracted to save the ma
tion must be paid, and the policy of the
Republican party has been to tax those
most who had the most at stake
"Well," said my friend, 81 guess you
are right about the tax question, but
complain, second, that this National
bank system is gigantic swindle of the
people, sapping the very life of all busi-
ness. and ought to be repealed"
"If you are correct in your state.
ment," said I, ''your conclusion will
follow. But are you sure you under.
stand the national banking system
Are you not deceived by the cry of the
Greenback stump orators? Let US ex
: anime.
81. Banks are places where the Dor
rover and lender of money meet. They ex
ist in all civilized nations, and are indis
pensable to a thriving business commun
ity."
/ then read the national bank act will
all its amendments, and VIC agreed t.
the following facts, viz:
l. That the national bank act wa
not restricted to any individual or mum
). Der of persons. but was open and free t
all who could comply with the only con
dition, to-wit: Deposit with the Unite
States treasury as many 500 Unite
States bonds as they issued $50 in bills
: so that no single national bank bill ca
fail to be redeemed.
2. That the rates of interest were nc
higher in the national banks than the
. were in the old state banks before Il
war.
8. That no one was obliged to hi
es of the national banks if they could hi
h cheaper elsewhere.
ne 4. That the cost to the government
~ start and run national bank is mere
Id nominal.
ut $50 far" said I. "the people ha
be not felt any burden on account of Il
ed national banking system, have they p
al NO." he replied. except that the
at capital stock. viz: the bonds deposits
es with the United States treasurer, esca
nd taxation.
Is. "True," said I, .'but would they