1818 Oct. 25 + A 1

Parl. Ref. Bill

Reasons ult

'.2 Electors Who

Universality

III. Taxedness

1

Question - Why not seek to establish payment of taxes to this or that amount in the character of a sufficient or a necessary qualification?

Like proprietorship and householdership, this of taxedness {may be made or not made a necessary qualification:} {being} /if/ made a necessary qualification, {it} may be accepted as sufficient of itself, or it may be accepted as not sufficient of itself, not sufficient unless enjoined with such or such others.

{2 All these are either indirect or direct or indirect taxedness is therefore either taxedness in respect of direct tax is taxedness in respect of indirect taxes. For simplicity sake let taxedness in respect of indirect taxes be first disposed of.}

Note (a)?

Indirect taxes are taxes imposed upon the creator /maker/ of the article, in its way to him by whom it is converted to use. Of these articles the matter of sustenance /meat drink/ and cloathing are the principal. But all known beings employ food /meat drink/ and cloathing: and in England all articles of meat drink /sustenance/ and cloathing, even water not absolutely excepted is somehow as often taxed. This being so, let taxedness be necessary in respect of indirect taxes, no harm is done. Let taxedness in respect of this sum out of taxes be rendered sufficient, then not only virtually universal suffrage but literally universal suffrage is established.