We are convinced that a m...
The Times, 1824-02-27T00:00:00

We are convincedl that a manly effort of the people is all that is necessary at present to puff away the weak delusive plain of finance produced by the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, and to substitute in its stcad the sensible repeal of some heavy tax or taxes ; and we are further convinced, that without that effort, the people have seen an end of the relief proposed to be afforded to them by the dimi:ution of their burdens. Here we are to stand, and from this point, if atiy unfortunate occurrence takes place, provoking us to draw die sword again, we are tD begin to be taxed anew. If, therefore, there ever was an occasion for bestirring ourseives, that occasion is arrived. While Ministers went on in the work of unburdeniing uts, ow- ever slowly and unwillingly they proceeded, we night re- tain ourselves; but wlhen they stop short, it is tiine for us to move. The use, indeed, to which they were going to apply the sums now extorted from us, show that they con. si(dered the fund upon which they draw-namely, our taxes -as liable so no farther dirainution. But wvith respect to the schelne of the CHANCELLOR of the EXcHEQucE it, we assert it to be a schemne of the most novel and portentous nature in its chief fea.ures, and to be, in truth, no finance measure at all, Hsor one wYhich can with any propriety be introduced iuto the budget. We know very well whliat tne imposition or repeal of'a tax is. By the furmer, so much money (of which ae estimate i* aivaays reqzuired and given) is taken from the people; and -by the latter, so much remitted to them. Nowv, compare this description with the proposed measures of the CHAnCELLOfi of the EXCIIEQUEr, respecting the silk and the wool trades. He starts a new theory for our cotpaeree in.'these artirles.; and upon this theorylie says he is ,rillig~ to risk 'tie loss of 350,0001. from the wool-dealers, anid, iGoool- from the silk-manufacturers; but does he-tmean: to. say that those sums (as is the case in every repeal.ordinminution of a tax) are respectively remittedl to Ate deaTers.nmentionetl? Does be say that he rfetits any thing t. ?them HBe limits his own losses to a specific smm.; Doe6s h.l iyiiat be can,se Igti~t thie. losses of the woe,l-t.e.a arid 1iUUfhctAFers?. *orathat.lhe ?an.eens Yutreth03t'.3i 'b kWix~~4? Wle, ask, hltm--at we defy him t oiikt *he calls hii 'maRure tlh ifiSpii , ,$ teis pef arny oiie cal repairs, too) YoA c ndc on edSri:tc i ad nsllc Sotfie mix. On lo kingb.e& over the Civil Lls, oua the debatms on the Draits of Admiralty, sumrs of mon,ey for the repair of Royal Palates meet our eyes every where. But what is nmore to our present purpose, we find in the Civil List of 1816, attaehed to the sum of 40,0001., demanded for the repairs of all the palaces, Wlrindsor included, the follow- ing note:-" It is also proposed, in th.e event of any new buildings being to be undertaken, or any very extensive repairs beyond what the present estimate is calctuated to " cover, that an estimnate of the expense shall 'be sub- " mitted to Parliament previozvus1 to the commencement " of the works, in order that theirsanction for the same ' may be obitinedl, and provision made for defraying the " expense of the exeeution:' The works, it may be said, are not. oommencead. No; hut if the money be granted, what use is there in having the estim.ate aherwards ? Shall the monev be granted in the gross-shall three hundred thousand rounds be given in the lump, blindly, b-fore any estimate is seen ? See, however, the paragraph frorn Windsor.