The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-06-04
UNITED STATES SENATE.

ton Of South Cdrolinu, CotumJiu, s. G..
My DEAR SIR: Some time ago | re-
ccived from you the following letter:
Senator Butler then quotes the letter
sent him by the Free Trade Association
on the 4th Of March.
Recognizing the right Of your associa-
tion or any other number of respe ctablc
citizens of South CIrolina to know my opin-
ions on all questions affecting the public
interest, cheerfully respond in this FORM
not having the tire for public addresses as
suggested by your letter.
You will permit nc to say, in passing,
am much pleased at the prospect Of
full discussion Of this most vital subject,
about which so little is understood, and
trust it will be conducted in spirit of
candor and liberation worthy of the
topic, and free from those uuseemly per-
sonalities and aspcrsions which of late
enter into controversy that arises. 1t does
not strengthen the force Of any man s ar
gument or views to impugu the motives or
sincerity Of those who differ with him, but
often dogrades the controversy and leads to
pernicious consequences.
The question of taxation is, and has
always been, one af the most difficult and
complicated problems of civil government
Taxation is necessary evil, and how to
lay taxes, and wh"ro, and when, upon what
objects and persons, SO as to make the evil
as light and as little burdensomc as possible
and operate with justice and fairness, has
always been most pcrpcxing and trouble
some to the minds of those whose duty it
has been and is to deal with the subject
When it comes to determine what shall
be the objects Of direct taxation, you arc
constantly confronted with complications
and difficulties. In South Carolina we
have the ad valorcn, system, which ap-
pears to be the fairest and most simple,
that is, that man shall pay according to
the value Of bis property and yet there
is always room for complaint of undor
valuation or unequal valuation, whether
you should tax mortgages and at the same
time the thing mortgaged, chooses in action
moneys in hand, &c.
These and others Of kindred character
arc all subjects that have batfled the best
intellccts Of the ablest statesmen and politi-
cal economists Of this and ovcry civilized
country. The internal or excise system of
Federal direct taxation has always been
tho most odiouS Of all forms. Tho army
of agents and inspectors, employed to pre-
vent and detect fraud Oh the public rcvc-
nues are oppressive to the people and uu
republican under the mldcst form of
administration. The powers Of the Fcd-
cral and State governments III regard to
taxation, except as to imposts, are con-
current. Both may tax the Same object at
the same time, and each must have its own
agents, separate and distinct, to collect
taxes for the support Of each Under the
"Articlcs OF Confederation it was found
that the Federal government could not
rely upon the States for the resources and
revenues for its support, and hence, chiefly
the necessity for the more perfect Union,
formed under the present Constitution
So that, when we talk about supporting
the gov ,'rnment by system Of direct taxa
ton, you perceive some Of The obstacles ii
the way. AS hive observed, all forms
Of taxation arc onerous and vcxatious, arc
the vital question is, whc.." is the IcaS
SO?
| have been led to submit these o. User
vations from a passage in your letter in
which you say
ave have, therefore, resolved to urge
upon the people of South Carolina in pub
lie meetings the propricty Of demanding
Of Congress speedy abolition Of the arti-
fetal barriers and governmental tollgatcs
by which the traffic of the world is diver
ted from its natural channels, and man is
deprived by man of his God-givcn right
to receive the fullest returns to his labor.
If you mean by this the abandonment
Of the system Of laying taxes on mcrchan.
disc imported from foreign countries and
abolition Of custom houses. cannot join
you in the demand The collection Of du
ties on imports has bccu in practice from
the foundation of the government and i.
much the safest and most efficient mode O
securing revenue for the support of tn,