It’s time for another brief international tax resistance round-up:
Catalan businesses and local governments are cooperating to figure out ways to redirect federal business taxes into the local Catalan treasury.
Currently, the Catalan authorities simply forward such taxes along to the central government, so this is a symbolic gesture, but, as one of the resisters put it, “if we all did this, the Catalan government would suddenly have the power to decide not to pay taxes to Madrid.
That’s one of our goals.”
Sir,— In the midst of the very general panic, which the disturbances of the
lawless band denominated “Rebecca and her Children” have created in
Carmarthenshire, it is surprising that no measures should have been resorted
to, for the suppression of the tumults, more energetic than those of swearing
in some score of special constables, and putting arms in the hands of some
infirm pensioners, who do not know how to use them. Some vague idea has at
last entered the heads of the Carmarthen Dogberrys, that a body of military
is only wanted to set all things to rights. However efficient soldiers may be
in open-handed fight, I think it questionable how far they may prove of
service in the present case, without some resolute co-operation. This
co-operation, I would suggest, might be managed thus:— Let the body of the
young Squirearchy of the County, from the age of 18 to 35 — of which sort
there is no lack in Carmarthenshire — let them, I say, form themselves into
an association for the suppression of these riots. The class of Squires I
refer to, should include all possessed of incomes of
200l. a-year, resulting from
land, upwards, and who can command a stout horse and a trusty man-servant.
Let them, having formed an association, proceed to the part of the county
where the disturbances are of most frequent recurrence, and take up their
station near some gate that has been most frequently levelled with the
ground, barracking themselves in farm-houses and cottages adjacent. Let them,
then, station their servants at different points, commanding a view of the
surrounding county, with directions to communicate with their respective
masters, on the discovery of the approach of any of the rioters. A signal
should then be made, such as firing of guns, or the like, to collect all the
members of the association to a place of rendezvous previously fixed. Let them
then proceed together to the obnoxious gate, there to await their opponents. I
would have them be without arms, other than stout cudgels. When
Rebecca has approached, let them first hold a parley, and remonstrate with her
upon her unjustifiable mode of procedure. Let them then dispose themselves
about the gate, but beware of striking the first blow. I miscalculate
the Welsh nature greatly, if they will not be loth to attack a body of young
gentlemen, to whom they have been accustomed to look up with respect and
esteem. They will have no set of special constables or vacillating pensioners
to deal with, but a body of vigorous, firm young men, the flower of the
county; and if they go to work in a conciliatory way, unsupported by police,
relying entirely on their own influence and respectability, the chances are
ten to one that Rebecca will be ashamed of herself, and her followers will at
any rate be more submissive and respectful. If this association should wish
for a name to call itself, let it be “The Judith Society,” and never fear
Rebecca will, ere long, “hide her diminished head.” I regret that I am unable
to leave the Metropolis, for the Principality, before
, when I hope the riots will be past
and gone, or I would be the first to propose this plan, in
propriâ personâ. My plan may be deemed Quixotic and foolish,
and myself a fool. Agreed — let it be so — but it is not impracticable; and
having done my duty in putting it forward, I leave other more experienced and
wiser heads to propose a better.
I am, Mr. Editor, yours obediently,
A Welshman in London.
