Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1814-01-20
LaEaIsLarUaE oF MARYLAND.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
The COMMITTEE

munication Of the Executive OF. this
state. dated December 8, 1913, as
relates to the loan made by virtue OF
the resolve of the last general assem-
bly,. together with such parts thereof
as concern the finaneialreseurces OF
this state, and to whom was refer
red the resolution relative to the
payment out Of the treasury OF the
quota OF this state Of the direct tax
imposed by an act of congress, en-
titled, /. An aetts lay and collect a
direc tax withia the u. States"
REPoRT-'Ihat Congress. al
their last session, passed sundry
laws proviams for the collection OF
internal dates on variety OF artl-
eles.
Amongst other articles taxed, are
lands, lots OF ground with their in
provements, dwelling houses and
slaves.
Tn the formation Of this system OF
taxation. it either has been or ought
10 have been a primary consideration
so to arrange it. that it should not
he more burthensome upon one part
OF the country than another, and that
every citizen should, rs far as was
practicable, bear bis equal proper
zion Of the public burthen.
Nbetherthis desirable result will
take place in the operation Of the
system of the general government
imposing direct taxes. your commit
tee do net consider themselves at IL
berty to enquire into at large but
they do conceive, that tAe adoption
of the proposed resolution would, in
its effects, produce that inequality,
which in the opinion of your com.
mittse should be avoided.
Should the proposed resolution be
adopted, and the quota of the direct
tax imposed upon the people OF this
state by congress, be paid out Of the
public treasury, it will become ne
cessary at no distant period, to pass
a law laying a state tax. the opera.
ton Of which would be unequal up
on our constituents for in that ease
all the assessabIe property in Ma
ryIand would have to bear its proper
tioa under the system adopted by con-
gress.
BY the 18th article of the bill of
rights, . principle is established
which we cannot disregard, I" tia I
every person in the state ought to
contribute his proportions Of public
taxes according to his actual WORTH
in real or personal property within
the state.
The effect therefore Of the pro-
posed measure, if adopted. would tie
that enc portion of property in Ma
rylasd would be taxed twice. while
another portion will be taxed only
snee.
A consequence so maniiestly IN
Just, your committee cannot believe
the house will have any agency in
producing.
Taere are, in the opinion OF your
committee, other objections against
the adoption Of the resolution pre-
posed.
From the situation Of our finances.
IL is obvious that We should be under
the necessity of resortins TO addi-
tional loans for the purpose ofmeet-
ing the payment of our proportion OF
the direct tax, unless we are prepar-
ed to make an Immediate sacrifice OF
a considerable portion Of the capt.
tai Of the state, which has been ac-
eumulated by the economy and fore
sight Of our ancestors.
1t is equally obvious, as has been
before remarked, that state tax
must be imposed; in that case it
woo;.; soon be made manifest. that
the Il per cent deduction offered to
the state for the speedy payment of
IT'S proportion, wonii produce no say
Inc TO the state.
The interest on the loans which
must be negotiated the e1penee oil
organizing new system oftaxation,
and the expenses of collection, would
! in the estimate formed by your com
mistee, exceed. fifteen per cent.
Your committee cannot sea any
reason to believe that this offer to the
8 several ststes--en the part OF the
gene al government, will only be
made for the ensuing year, On the
contrary there is every reason to
Z fear that It's recurrence will take
phase for years to come.
III the state governments will re-