Pennsylvania as a Borrower; Some Considerations on Her Ancient Credit, Her Subsequent Disgrace, Her Reviving Prospects, and Her True Policy in Future (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ...cause--not to call it curse, too--of our total break-down and disgrace in 1841; the Act, I mean, of Feb. 18, 1836, to repeal the Slate tam on real and personal property..... and tocharter a State bank, to be called the United States Bank? Our Republican Commissioners may think now, in 1863, as the Whig Governor, Mr. Ritner, didtwcnty_seven years before them, that to tax and to please is not given to men any more than to love and be wise. Their amiable aspiration, 1ike'that of an eminent statesman of Mr. Burke s day, may be, to please universally. I know not how this is. But if such be their wish, a careful study of the precedent of.1836, made with that same desire, may still be useful. I think it certain that landin this State is taxed lightly by the Commonwealth, and that 'many corporations, --especially the banks, --are taxed high enough; not meaning by this that some corporations ought not to pay more than they do. But why, in such a crisis as this, repeal any just tax whatever? especially that one from land which is the'most certain source of income, of all? In his message of January, 1861, Governor Pollock, stigmatizing any legislation which might tend to reduce our revenue as, at this time, peculiarly unwise, says, The exigencies of the future no man can foretell. The prospect before us is beclouded with doubt and uncertainty. It is therefore no more than the part of wisdom to guard, with unceasing vigilance, ALL our present so, urces, of.revenue, and thus to be prepared for every possible contingency. Has the prospect of January, 1861, beclouded with doubt and uncertainty, become a bright one in January, 1863? We have indeed, ...