The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-01-14
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Svstem.

Messrs. DAVID A. WELLS and THOMAS G.
SuEAanAS send us from New York n
pamphlet which was written and printed
and published for the purpose Of proving
that internal revenue is necessity. The
conduct OF these excellent gentlemen
proves once more that the best place to
have boil IL on your neighbours leg. not
your own. Virginia suffers from the in
ternal-revenue system. The principal pro-
duct Of her sell Is taxed more than 100
per cent. OF its value under the operation
Of that internalrevenue system which
Messrs. WELLS and SHgaRMAN have
found to be indispensable. But New
York has had no such experience. None
Of the products OF her soil are taxed ex-
cept tobacco, and OF this she raises so lit
lie that, as Is said 10 "Patience" in the
opera OF that name. "that don't count"
But New York has felt what 1t is TO have
her trade hampered by obstructive tariff
exactions, and so Messrs. WELLS and
SHEARMAN would have the tariff laws re-
modelled. We do not censure them. We
only claim the right TO decide for our
selves here in Virginia that the internal
revenue system, with its unavoidable &C.
compartments, is much more odious than
any customs-duties OF which we are at all
afraid
Again: New York Is overrun by an army
OF custom-house employees. The Federal
employees who interfere with elections in
Virginia, who act as spies upon our citi-
zens, and who are paid by the Government
TO do the work OF party, belong most OF
them to the internal-revenue bureau. Never
will the people OF Virginia feel that they
live under a really free governmental
genuine republic-until they shall have
seen the last Of these informers. The Re-
publican candidates for Congress in Vir-
ginia last fall were rs ready as the Demo-
cratic TO declare for the utter aboli-
ton OF the internal-reyenue system.
We are amazed at the hating man
ner IN which so many northern
Democrats approach this subject. We do
not doubt that it would be as popular in
Illinois as in Virginia TO advocate the
wiping out Of all internal taxes, and the
dismissal of all the spies, informers, and
electioneerers who now hold positions in
the internal-revenue bureau. By the way,
il must be remembered to General Nc.
CLELLAN's credit that he has not hesitated
to declare in published letter, for the abo-
lition Of all internal taxes.
We can furnish Messrs. WELLS and
SHEARMAN with no better proof OF the state
OF feeling in Virginia on the subjects which
they treat in their pamphlet than is to be
found in the following paragraph from the
State, one OF the most strenuous advocates
OF tariff reform, and opponents Of protec-
fion, residing south Of Mason & DlXon's
hne. The State says:
1--WE admit that they argue their case
very plausbly; but we do net share in
their apprehensions, and are entirely will
ing to take all the risks for the sake OF the
geiief TO which they refer. and which is
greatly coveted in this part of the country.
One thing at time will answer our pur-
pose. Take of the internal-revenue taxes
and dismiss the army Of oflice-holders,
spies, infolIncrs, and hangers-on it has
fastened upon the country, and We shall be
content TO wait for the country to settle
itself down to living on the revenues from
custom sources, suiliciency OF which, we
believe, tariff for revenue can be framed
by the wisdom of Congress to produce
without lending any aid whatever to the
monopolists of New England and Pennsyl-
yania, who. not satisfied with the gains and
advantages their nearness to the markets
give them over .he foreigners, take all they
can get and still cry for more"