[25] What, then, has become of our old Gallic wit?
[25] Thank heaven! the minister has settled the question, and I
tender him my very sincere compliments. By the proposed tariff
letter-postage will be reduced to 2 cents for distances under 12
1/2 miles; 4 cents, for distances between 12 1/2 and 25 miles; 6
cents, between 25 and 75 miles; 8 cents, between 75 and 225
miles; 10 cents, for longer distances.
But, it will be said, if the tax should furnish salt, tobacco,
letter-carriage, sugar, wines, meat, etc., at cost, consumption
would undoubtedly increase, and the improvement would be
enormous; but then how would the State meet its expenses? The
amount of indirect taxes is nearly one hundred and twenty million
dollars; upon what would you have the State levy this sum? If
the treasury makes nothing out of the postal service, it will
have to increase the tax on salt; if the tax on salt be lifted
also, it will have to throw the burden back upon drinks; there
would be no end to this litany. Therefore the supply of products
at cost, whether by the State or by private industry, is
impossible.
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