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Letter to Editor
December 16, 1806
Virginia Argus
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
Amid grain scarcity and early winter, the letter argues against raising general taxes to fund government, citing the governor's report and public distress. It proposes suspending appropriations or taxing monied institutions and surplus clerk fees (50-60%) to raise needed funds, leaving clerks better compensated than judges.
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Full Text
FOR THE ARGUS.
THE alarming accounts from every quarter respecting the scarcity of grain, and winter commencing so early, are subjects that ought to be seriously considered, and every thing should be done to avert those scenes of distress and want, which it seems must inevitably happen without the utmost frugality. Still, if we are to credit the governor's communication to the legislature, and it is presumed no one will doubt it—there is a necessity for raising the taxes in order to carry on all the operations under the present organization of the government. This must place the members of the General Assembly in a very unpleasant situation; for while on the one hand, they must feel it a duty to provide for all the operations of government; on the other, convened as they are from every part of the state, they know the distresses which must take place among their constituents without additional burthens being laid upon them. If then no mode but raising the general tax can be adopted, would it not be far better to suspend some appropriation than raise the tax at this alarming crisis?—But are there not means to be found for increasing funds without raising the tax? Some of the sister states raise large funds from a tax on monied institutions & sinecure offices; and it is believed the money wanting could with as much propriety be raised from these sources as from any others. For instance it is said there are many clerkships in the commonwealth, that are worth from two thousand to five thousand dollars annually. I wish not to be understood meaning that these people should labor for nothing; but will leave it to the wisdom of our Legislature, whether incomes so large, and acquired too by public officers from those of their neighbors who are unfortunate enough to go to law, are compatible with republican governments; If they are not, would it be improper to allow to the respective clerks, a liberal salary out of their fees, and tax the surplus 50 or 60 per cent? It is said there could be 30 or 40 thousand dollars raised annually by such a tax, and generous compensation left for the clerks, in many counties far better than the salaries allowed to the judges.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE
THE alarming accounts from every quarter respecting the scarcity of grain, and winter commencing so early, are subjects that ought to be seriously considered, and every thing should be done to avert those scenes of distress and want, which it seems must inevitably happen without the utmost frugality. Still, if we are to credit the governor's communication to the legislature, and it is presumed no one will doubt it—there is a necessity for raising the taxes in order to carry on all the operations under the present organization of the government. This must place the members of the General Assembly in a very unpleasant situation; for while on the one hand, they must feel it a duty to provide for all the operations of government; on the other, convened as they are from every part of the state, they know the distresses which must take place among their constituents without additional burthens being laid upon them. If then no mode but raising the general tax can be adopted, would it not be far better to suspend some appropriation than raise the tax at this alarming crisis?—But are there not means to be found for increasing funds without raising the tax? Some of the sister states raise large funds from a tax on monied institutions & sinecure offices; and it is believed the money wanting could with as much propriety be raised from these sources as from any others. For instance it is said there are many clerkships in the commonwealth, that are worth from two thousand to five thousand dollars annually. I wish not to be understood meaning that these people should labor for nothing; but will leave it to the wisdom of our Legislature, whether incomes so large, and acquired too by public officers from those of their neighbors who are unfortunate enough to go to law, are compatible with republican governments; If they are not, would it be improper to allow to the respective clerks, a liberal salary out of their fees, and tax the surplus 50 or 60 per cent? It is said there could be 30 or 40 thousand dollars raised annually by such a tax, and generous compensation left for the clerks, in many counties far better than the salaries allowed to the judges.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
What themes does it cover?
Economic Policy
Taxation
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Grain Scarcity
Tax Opposition
Government Funding
Clerk Fees Tax
Republican Principles
Legislative Dilemma
What entities or persons were involved?
One Of The People
For The Argus
Letter to Editor Details
Author
One Of The People
Recipient
For The Argus
Main Argument
opposes raising general taxes amid grain scarcity and distress; suggests alternatives like suspending appropriations, taxing monied institutions, and surplus clerk fees (50-60%) to fund government while providing liberal clerk salaries.
Notable Details
Governor's Communication To Legislature
Sister States Tax Monied Institutions And Sinecure Offices
Clerkships Worth $2000 5000 Annually
Tax Surplus Could Raise $30,000 40,000 Yearly
Incomes From Fees Incompatible With Republican Government