The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1890-02-06
Tariff Talk.

both Sarties so far re | know, to
leave the property within the
States untaxed by the Federal
Government. until the financial
necessities as he war of 1861,
drove The government 10 INFER
nal taxation. Prior to that time
revenue for the general govern
,nent was raised exclusively
from imports, public lands, and
at rare intervals a possibility
from the PostofTice department.
The only taxes now remaining
which were levied solely as war
taxes, are those on spirituous
liquors and tobacco. At later
day the government laid tax
on OIeomafgarine, but this was
since the war, and II, 80 far as l
know. is the only tax levied by the
government on property within
the states without the pressure
of pecuniary necessity. These
three taxes We still have, and
the Mills bill contemplated their
continuances Democrats believe
there is a large element in the
Republican party which desires
to abolish the states and substi
tute federal districts. That ele-
msnt is growing, and If it should
acquire control and enact Its
desire into law, the liberties Of
Che people would be practically
abolished. Those who want a
strong central government, can
accomplish all they want by dis
psnsing with the states. Such a
step to accomplish local govern
'ment would BE- theory only.
No plan strikes me as SO likely
to succeed 10 that end as Federal
taxation within the states. All
know that IN case Of such taxa.
ton the f. deral tax would be re-
garded as primary, and the state
tax AZ secondary. The primary |
tax would be collected without
regard to- the ability of the
people to pay tho state tax. The
state tax would be regarded as
the burden. Under the pressure
of the state tax the people would
be taught to believe the state
tax an unnecessary oppression
and they would become more
and more alienated from the
state governments. The people
would be told that state govern
are mere pecuniary
by abolishing which SO
much money could be saved to
The people. This would be false.
but many would believe it.
Many who profess devotion to
the. state governments would
willingly see the federal revenue
raised by direct tax levied upon
The property within the states,
if by such tax free trade could
be accomplished.
The present pretense is that
whiskey and tobacco ought to be
burdened as iniqultors luxuries.
Why cannot each state lay upon
hese articles all the burden they
ian or ought 10 bear. Why may
1ot whiskey, tobacco and oleo-
mar rgarine be made to relieve
he farmers, merchants. labors:s
Ind all others from a portion CT
he taxes collected by the sever
Il states, and why, by such means
nav not all the restraint be i'm.
posed that Is effected by the gov
,rnment tax. What possible
,ecessity exists 10 continue war
axes upon internal properly, in I
lafiance Of long continued usage. |
The Stale government provide l
he people, as they onglt, with q
of lie, health, char {,
Icter, homes and property. Our 6
wrongs are punished or redress +
ID, and our rights enforced in our ,
everal counties when we are e
,nown and are at home, all G
oppressive or griev- t
,us expense or ruinous delay. f
substitute federal districts and
vs have the same character of
protection we now have from the
ederal machinery. Let me il. Q
ustrate with two cases that
.ame under my own observation.
\ party was arrested and taken q
ixty miles from home before a r
commissioner; he wanted wit. C
,esses 10 meet the accusation OF 7
he government; he could not
rave process. service or witness Z
lnless he would advance or Sc +
ure all the cost incident to such 6
process. A poor man has a u
plendid prospect under such
aw and practice. but 1t is pros
ect of connection and punish.
lent regardless OF guilt or lnno-
ence. The other was very re-
ent and heard in my own coun- e
Y. A farmer had made of some n
{ his surplus frui. some gallons : 3
r. i,,, oOd hod maid ho Ony "