The Oskaloosa herald., 1892-08-18
RnaLISH rAxArlnN

Ia, on his return from brief stay In
several European countries, passed
through England and after ten days in
London he visited the tin mines OF
EOornwall-also the coal mining districts
aad manufacturing centers. He car
ried letter of introduction to Capt.
Shursby, the owner of an estate con-
sisting of $50 dwellings and stores in
London. The Captain is learned and
much travelled gentleman, an ex-naval
officer who Is proud Of his country, but
not blind to its mistakes nor backward
in speaking of them.
Knowing that it takes money to run
the machinery OF government, even in
a free trade country, Mr.. McHugh in
his practical and pointed way, wanted
to know from his Nell-informed host,
where it came from, how it was sup.
piled, etc.
Said Capt. Shursby: "ThOse necessa-
ries that your people get free, such as
tea, coffee. sugar, etc., must pay reve-
nue. tax in England. The tax on to.
bacco and cigars is almost prohibitory.
The tax on wine and spirits is high.
In London and other English cities inn
proved property pays land tax equal
to eight shillings on the pound, which
is determined by the rental value.
Thus, store or dwelling that will
rent for e1OO, or $500, must pay a tax
of e40. or $500. And mark you," con.
tinued he, ,"this does not include house
revenue tax of $15 on the al00. nor an
imperial tax, nor an income tax the lat
ter known as queens tax.
If to these we add gas, water and
poor rates which are yet unproVided
for, we have total tax seldom less and
frequently more than half the rental.
And what is true Of the cities is also
true of towns and the rural districts.
The simplest business agreement in
writing is not valid without a stamp,
and the cost of the stamp depends on
the value of the agreement A short
term lease must carry 50 rs In stamps
and for long term SIS must be sup.
piled. On an appraisement Of any prop
erty, from 10 cents to $5 is required.
Every bank check must bear a stamp,
SO must every receipt for So and up
ward. Voting and other papers con-
nected with elections must bear their
share of the stamp system, so must
every prOmissory note and every com.
mission In the army or navy-of estate,
legacy, succession and probate duties
there are no end-all must bear the in
evitable stamp. Script and stock Ger
tificates, notices OF allotment, mortgages
mortgage bonds, proxies ana powers of
attorney are all stamped. and there is a
bill before parliament, asking that tick.
cts to theaters and other places of
amusement,be bear this proof of the beau
ties Of British free trade. If you send
a telegram you must pay for stamp
in addition to the cost of transmission.
Upon four-wheeled vehicles there is a
yearly tax of $21. No wonder that
nine-tenths of the people in England
ride on two wheels.
For every male servant in. your
house you must pay a tax of SO. rs
yearly. For ordinary to special mar
riages So TO $25 is demanded. When
person dies So of every hundred that
his estate will aggregate goes to the
government. This shrinkage is en-
forced If it be left to his children. If
left to some one more distantly akin
than his own son or daughter, $40 of
every hundred that his estate will ag-
gregate goes to grease the wheels of
English free trade so that by the time
it has paid this requisition, settled with
high priced attorneys and run through
the stamp mill at its various stages, it
is sadly diminished indeed.
When barrister is admitted to his
degree he pays $3.50; a solicitor pays
$125; a fellow of the college of physi-
clans $l25. and doctor of medicine
$50.
A notary public contributes to the
support of free trade $3.50 yearly and
charges his customer SO for taking an,
acknowledgement that costs % cents
under American protection and not al
ways even this. Mark you, these
charges are not for diplomas, but sim
ply tributes to the department of in
land revenue. Auctioneers pass over
$50 yearly of their earnings, while
house and land agents together with
horde of officials including the most
lowly, pay stipulated amounts for
whatever privileges they represent.
Our citizens are confronted" said
this excellent English authority, "by
the tax gatherer at every turn. Why"
said Capt. Shursby, "They stamp us
when We are born, when we are chris
tened, when we are married and when
We die. But, do not think that l have
listed all things upon which her Ma
jesty's subjects must pay a govern
ment tax. The list is long one and
weighs heavily on our people. am
tired" said he, "hearing people pirate
about British free trade. Its all q
bloomin 'Umbug.' We are the worse
taxed people that know o., land l have
been in nearly every country in the
world. We really envy you Americans
your freedom from taxation, though
our pride often cOnceals its admission.
All this has come to England as the
cost of abolishing the custom house."
"a t. ND only affect our food
product, s...Oady so high that the work.
ing class is compelled to live meagerly.
Unless we can get access to your
markets and others in Europe, now
practically closed against as, l do not
know what will become of us. The
situation that eonfronts US is a grave
one and l look forward to 1t with con-
siderable anxietyf0r the future of our
anuntrv