The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-09-20
NO TAXATION UPON THE NECEsSARIES UN-
DER THE TARIFF.

The STAR had exceeding admira.
tion for Judge Black 1t regarded
him as one of the ablest and purest
of Americans of the last fifty years.
He was man Of strong feelings and
earnest convictions. He was a true
Democrat. His standing in the esti-
nation of considerable circle in the
North is much affected by his deter
mined, clear, and pronounced opin-
ion on State Rights, and the uncon-
stitutionality of the Reconstruction
Acts. But Judge Black was not by
any means infallible and his earnest
almirers have never claimed it for
him. He had opinions and convic-
ions and these he was able to pre-.
sent in luminous and vigorous way.
dis reasoning was greater than his
judgement. He was thoroughly nom
est. anG for that and other reasons
heretofore stated lie was to be hon
ored and held in high regard.
just now his views on the Tariff
are going the rounds He is quoted
as saying that the internal revenues
must be abolished and all of the taxes
for the support Of the Government
shall be raised atnder the Tariff. His
idea is that by reducing the Tariff
upon the thousands of articles taxed
under the Republican Tariff that you
can raise enough and can thus do
away with the internal taGes.
Now the STAR will not galnsay
that idea, although we are really
much inclined to believe that it will
not work as we'll as many Democrats
think. But if the tariff were read
justed and reduced so as to naahe it
do all that Is claimed nay, If it
would do great deal more-if it
would raise as many hundred Of
millions as the present Tariff and
the Internal Revenue system com.
bined raise, would it be right to wipe
cut the latter? This paper has said
NO, and it stands squarely by that
declaration. and for this reason: 1t
| is WRONG PRINCIPLE to tax the
common household ts-the
commodities Of the people in univer.
sal use and not tax such useless lux
uries as whiskey and beer, tobacco,
and cigars.
I'VE repeat, it is a wrong principle,
because it is unjust, because it is un'
equal, because it bears heavily upon
the laboring classes and exempts
from taxation those articles that are
not necessary to mans health or
comfort and that can be dispensed
with, and thut of aU the productions
or the qcorld can best bear the heavies,
tor. The consumer pays the tax
Those who do not use them do not
paw farthing OF tax in life tilGe
! Adopt the idea Of Judge Black
and some other Democrats. and you
cause 145 million dollars annually tt
be lost to the country forever. The
public must supply this loss. Not {
/ part but all must supply it. They
must supply it by agreeing that tn
tar on these plain and posativ'
necessaries Of life shall contiu
under the Tariff. THIS Is UNJUST tt
THE LABORING CLASS. Mark that
lit is not Democratic. 1t is not il
J, accordance with the sound doctrine
that this is Government. COR the peo
, pie. It will Cypress them need
i lessly and to that extent it will be il
; violation to that sound principle of
Government for the people.
= The STAR favors putting ever.
E household article-all things used b.
E the entire laboring class C the cour
|try-upon the free list.
IL If the Tariff as readjusted coul
4 raise the needed revenue withou