Grievances Suffered
Acceptance of the tax received varied responses from the people of the United States. Generally, large producers of Whiskey and distilled liquors who produced for business purposes were more willing to accept the tax, whereas small farmers and distillers were less satisfied. Most large businesses could pay the annual six cent tax on liquor, it was only a minor amount of their income. Large producers could also reduce the cost of the tax if they produced in larger quantities, a way of saving money that smaller farmers and producers could not afford to partake in.
Smaller farmers were the ones who got the worst end of the deal. Most farmers absolutely detested the tax, and many argued that the tax was unfairly targeting the western frontier. Some even went as far as accusing Hamilton of trying to ruin them and promoting big business. When only made occasionally, the tax was raised to nine cents a gallon, and was only payable in cash. Most western farmers had little cash, and were often payed in whiskey, which caused them to suffer more from the tax.
Whiskey was also much easier to transport than the actual grains, so it made the most sense for farmers to transport their produce this way. Due to this, it was almost impossible for the farmers not to pay the tax.
The controversial argument behind the unfairness of the tax was exactly what the Americans had previously fought over, the idea of taxation without local representation. Many western farmers were war veterans, and felt betrayed that their new country would commit the same crime as Britain had committed only decades earlier. Western farmers felt the tax was a violation of their constitutional rights. Many states had already payed off their war debts, and the governmental policy of assumption of the states debts seemed unfair to these well-off states.
Smaller farmers were the ones who got the worst end of the deal. Most farmers absolutely detested the tax, and many argued that the tax was unfairly targeting the western frontier. Some even went as far as accusing Hamilton of trying to ruin them and promoting big business. When only made occasionally, the tax was raised to nine cents a gallon, and was only payable in cash. Most western farmers had little cash, and were often payed in whiskey, which caused them to suffer more from the tax.
Whiskey was also much easier to transport than the actual grains, so it made the most sense for farmers to transport their produce this way. Due to this, it was almost impossible for the farmers not to pay the tax.
The controversial argument behind the unfairness of the tax was exactly what the Americans had previously fought over, the idea of taxation without local representation. Many western farmers were war veterans, and felt betrayed that their new country would commit the same crime as Britain had committed only decades earlier. Western farmers felt the tax was a violation of their constitutional rights. Many states had already payed off their war debts, and the governmental policy of assumption of the states debts seemed unfair to these well-off states.