Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-29

The following communication se''''
to have been intended as reply TO an
interrogatory contained in an editorial
in last Sundays Dispateh. tits agood
anti-protection article. If our CORE
spondenfs reasoning is good, aud the
mechanics, laborcrs, and general en-
ployes " agree with him, they will be
very apt to compel their State and ma
tioral legislators TO take the tax oil
them and put it upon the property
owners. However, we let our corre-
spondent make out his own case:
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
In your editorial Of the 22d instant
Taxation, Direct and Indirect "
you ask why it is that, though Virginia
now pays annually by the tariff s5,OOo'-
600 indirectly in support OF the Ma
tional Government, the people, with
one voice, declare they cannot, by d.
rect taxation, pay one half Of that sum.
1t cannot have escaped your attention
that by direct tax real estate and per-
sonal property only would be taxed. and
that the large body oflaboring-men, me-
chanics. clerks, and, in fact, all en-
ployees, would not appear on tax-llst
only W hen they owned real estate or per-
sonal property. When we remember
that wage-earners are more benefited by
the tariff than any other class among
us-I do not say this as CON-
planning of it-such an exemption
from the burdens Of government
would be plainly unreasonable, for
the rich and the poor alike receive the
protection OF the National Government.
Now, let us suppose there are 200, 900
mechanics, lsborers, and general en-
ployees in Virginia, and that each
spends 1900 annually-that amounts to
Gao, 600; and if. 20 per cent. OF
this sum is for articles from foreign
countries--say $4,000, 00O-and if the
tariff is so per cent. al ratorem, then
these 100000 persons pay $4,000, 900
tariff duties, and contribute that much
to the support Of the Federal Govern
ment. So that the question seems
almost answered by this consideration
alone; that it would be contrary to
right modes of government to relieve
so large a class, who, as I say, are
greatly benefited by the protection in
cident to a tariff, and place the cost Of
carrying on our Government on the
real-estate owners and the holders of
personal property.
Now, doubtless It's the voice Of these
last named that declares so earnestly
that direct taxation would be ruin to
the State, and in that opinion it seems
all good men ought to agree. Fairness
compels me to say there were three
causes contributing to higher wages
earned by the workmen of this present
day. some of these causes extending
back a century and more ago-and
first, the increase in the volume Of cur
rency. gold and silver, which took
place upon the systematic working Of
the mines Of Mexico and South Ameri-
ca. The millions Of money and
bullion which went into the Treasury
of Spain from these countries, the
millions Of silver and jewels which
England carried TO her capitol from
all her dependencies, especially India.
raised the price Of every commodity
and .of labor in Europe; second, the
increased facilities for obtaining an edu-
cation enabled the workmen Of the last
one hundred years to combine by aSso-
Citations to demand their Just rights ;
and third. our tariff has, by common
consent, been the powerful means OF
keeping up wages in this country. And
again | disclaim any opposition thereto,
but hope that wages will ever be pro-
tected and remain higher than in Eu-
rope--pride in my native land largely
governing me in such hope. And
thus. Mr.. Editor, indirect taxation by
means of the tariff has been blessing,
but direct taxes would, as you say, cause
decline in the value Of every com.
modify in our land, and ultimately re.
duce wages. And l have ever been sur.
prised that any one in Virginia should
favor tax on tobacco and liquor, moi
would there be, suppose, if a seeming
moral phase did not obscure the queS
ton. | am in favor Of tariff. Oul
Government needs yearly some $3.50.
600, 600, and will not soon need any
less. This sum can be raised more
easily by a fair tariff than any othel
mode and the protection to labor az
forded by it is right and Of actual beue
ft-because to receive good pay makes
man respect himself, gratifes thu
pride-innocent pride-of his wife
and makes his children Independent
and free. But poor wages depresse!
a man--ashamcd that he has to labo
for a meagre sum-and causes gloon
to settle around the fresde Of him VIII
receives them. And thus am for goot
wages, so that our peoples homes ma,
be comfortable, and that there may b.
the hope Of cottage to shelter them il
their old age. But this will never com,
to them through direct taxes paid to III
National Government. There hav
been temporary causes that have de
pressed business, curtailed profits, an,
reduced wages, but so soon as thes
causes passed away fair profits an
good wages were again received by on
people, and l say be it thus forever.