consumption tax

occupation / innovator as

politician

United States senator

nationality

American

judge

religion

congregational church

lawyer

Chief Justice of the United States

scientific organization

American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Phi Beta Kappa Society

is beneficial in that very few people are provident in laying aside lump sums of money. Direct taxation threatens to take away a mans business. It makes far more sense to collect taxes when a man is taking his pleasure, and feels generous.

Direct taxation can go but little way towards raising a revenue. To raise money in this way, people must be provident... they must be constantly laying up money to answer the demands of the collector. But you cannot make people thus provident... if you would do anything to purpose you must come in when they are spending, and take a part with them. This does not take away the tools of a man's business, or the necessary utensils of his family: It only comes in when he is taking his pleasure, and feels generous. OLIVER ELLSWORTH (1745-1807) Connecticut Ratifying Convention, 1788

Oliver Ellsworth

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Oliver Ellsworth