Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-07-01
TUESDAY, July L, 1928.

glsiatlye executive, or judicial, but bent on resls-
lance to any power that could come in conflict with
his own. In legislative act, deliberately adopted,
serving as the foundation for new system of civil
government, he spurns the Restraints heretofore
considered necessary by the wisest legislators OF
every age, IN order to protect the weak against the
oppression of the strong. All the powers which he
coniers are ample and unrestricted he INDUCES no
fear of their possible abuse nor does he dread the
natural effect of human infirmity, when clothed
with office, and raised to distinction too often
swelling the bosom with unreasonable pride. Au-
thority more despotic was never assumed author-
ty more despotc was never attempted TO be delega-
ted and greater heedlessncss in its exercise was
never displayed than is manifest in the Ordinance,
to which the public attention has been called.
Let some of its details be examined with the at
tentlon that its Importance deserves.
The first and second sections confer upon Ma
yor and Council, owing their creation and continued
existence 10 the will of General Jackson, with abb
solute power to impose fines, penalties, and for
textures, by ordinance, or OTHERWISE - with pow
er to appoint subordinate officers, though more
numerous than the inhabitants, whose substance
they consume; with power to fix their pay and
emoluments of their dependents, with other lmi-
tation to their amount than the inability of the in
habants to comply with still further exactions, and
with power to le0y SUCH TAXES as MIGHT, IN their
JuuSeuieht, oe necessary lor the suPpoil VI tio i
FAINT Vice Royalty.
Thus, Governor Jackson, disregarding the truths
OF history, well the admonitions of the wisest
Legislators who had preceded him, intoxicating the
certainty that the possession of unlimited power,
and accompanied by direct responsibility to the Peo-
pie, would lead to their abuse, not only assumes
the power of taxing the People of Florida, as he
may please, but of investing his dependents with
the same despotc authority. Nay. more, he
clothes them, by his fiat, with .uH the poyers''
which they may deem g necessary for the good
government Of the to1vn.'' Exemplifying the fable
of the sheep protected by the wolves he consi gns
to their humanity and justice, not merely the pro,
perty, but the persons, the liberty and the ltves, oil
the People OF Florida, with other restriction thar
> the dependence Of his agents upon himself; anc
commands them to bind OF loosen, to punish OF
pardon, to imprison liberate, to fine OF confis
cate, "by ordinance, or OTHERWISE according
to their discretion, or, perhaps, more properly, th
y discretion of their Chief.
The manner in which these powers were exer
y cised might have been anticipated from the nature
of man, prone as he has been, in every age, tt
: surmount every barrier that human wisdom has ye
DEVISED in order to guard against the effects OF hi
: ambition and his pride. The transactions of tina
: period, though exhibited amidst the wids ofa new
ly acquired territory lying on the outskirts of ou
Z great Confederacy, awakened feelings in the PEG
: pie of Florida that will never beiorgotten and ar
stamped in enduring characters upon the chronicle
of the day, the records Of country, and tn
II page of history.
: "An ORDINANCE,
Passed IN the City Council, on the l7th Dec. 1921
=, BE 1t enacted By The City Council Of 50. Augas
e tine That the following taxes be laid and collecte
&c within the city;
:. IaOeny fue cents on each hundred dollars 0
landed property.
"a One dollar for each slave above the age of sevt
ofl gears.
9 1wo dollars on each FREE person Of color, ov,
=. the age of seven years.
ID Foe dollars, yearly, on each riding carriage wi
N two wheels.
s oJ wheels.
ii FsUe Dollars on each cart or dray.
cd 1welve dollars, half yearly, on each Retailer
wines and spirits.
- One per cent. on the amount of stock in trade,
~ ven and half per cent. on GROSS AMOUNT OF sal
h he at auction.
nc THO dollars on each dog.
!. Twenty-Five dollars, half yearly, on all Billa
1t Tables.
i, Ten dollars, half yearly on every boarding hou
oi or tavern.
u Fifteen dollars, half yearly, on every livery stab
And be it further enacted, That it SHALL BE t
,ho duty of the Collector ohe city tares, to give pub
MS notice that his office will be kept open from the FIJI
ON to the FIFTEENTH NOVEMBER next, for the payne
Or of the above taxes and it shall be the duty of
SOL said tar collector, from and otter the said tee
utes Nouebey merit to take IMMEDIATE LEGAL means
OF collecting the same, against each and every defa
anu ter.
non And he If further enacted Tbatit shall be the
SITS, Of the tax collector to pay to the city treas
all monies received by virtue of this ordinance.
And be it further enacted. That the follow
taxes be laid and collected by the clerk of the II
:. ket
Fifty cents for each beef sold in market,
Twenty-Five cents for each goat or kid,
/. Twenty-Five cents for each calf,
adj Twenty five cents on each hog.
of Six and quarter cents on each person sen: