PARLIAMENT AND THE PROPERTY-TAX. 



IT has been acknowledged, by all who have ever given them- 

 selves the trouble to think at all on the subject, that the middle 

 classes of this country bear, by far, too great a portion of its 

 burthens. It was expected, that a Reformed Parliament would 

 have taken an early notice of this generally acknowledged fact; 

 and that some measure would be promptly provided, whereby 

 such an unequal pressure might be more generally distributed. 

 Yet, it seems not a little extraordinary, when an inquiry is required 

 to be instituted, that an opposition is made even to such preli- 

 minary measures : it would almost justify the suspicion, that a cer- 

 tain inclination exists amongst the lawgivers of this country to tax 

 anybody rather than themselves. The manner in which Mr. Robin- 

 son's motion, respecting a property-tax, was met the other evening, 

 must clearly convince the industrious classes what they have to ex- 

 pect, from the patriotism and disinterestedness of their representa- 

 tives. It could hardly be called a ministerial question ; but it was a 

 test by which the principles of individuals might fairly be judged. 

 For whom were the battles fought, and the treasure of the country 

 exhausted, but for those who held in it the great stake of property ? 

 The man, who held his thousands of revenue, knew that a successful 

 enemy might occasion a transfer of property but little to his mind ; 

 but the industrious classes had nothing of that nature to dread ; yet 

 they cheerfully bore a share in the defence of the rich man's gear, 

 although their stake was utterly disproportioned. It might be sup- 

 posed, that some little gratitude would have been shown by those, 

 for whom so much had been endured j yet, what was the fact? One 

 of the first acts of the members of the legislature, was to relieve 

 themselves of a tax the only one in which they bore an equal share 

 with their countrymen. It is, indeed, disgusting to witness such 

 continued acts of undisguised selfishness from men, the greater part 

 of whom, but a few months since, stood pledged, in the face of the 

 country, to remedy all abuses, and equalize all burthens. But a 

 short time since, every candidate appeared ready to immolate himself 

 for the good of the people, and now we see what the people have to 

 expect from such philanthropists. The ballot, and triennial parlia- 

 ments, are the only chances which the country has against its oppressors 

 the former to curb the influence, and intimidation used by the noble 

 and the latter to check the detestable cupidity of the rich. Neither 

 King, nor ministers, however honest, will avail, so long as the aristo- 

 cracy and the wealthier classes are essentially corrupt. Let them re- 

 flect, ere the nation takes reform into its own hands. A mockery will 

 not satisfy it long. 



