The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-01-29
hiessrs. D'wolf, Harris, C. Allen and

and Mr.. Trrner was heard in explana-
tion oflhe reasons for his asking foi de-
lay. He stated that he wished to OBJ
tain the books of some Of the corpora.
tions by summons of duces tecuni and
the attendance Of Witnesses who were
no, present.
The question was taken on the mo-
tion of Mr.. TiIlinghast and decided in
the negative. Yeas %, nays 80.
Next Wednesday was assigned for
the hearing of tho memorial.
Mr.. Halle stated that Mr.. +. X. Pot.
ter, James Simmons and himself had
been heretofore appointed a committee
to receive a transfer, to the state, or the
road belonging to the Providence and
Pawtucket corporation, and to transfer
the same to the Provide nee and Boston
Rail Road corporation, if they choose
to accept 1T by certain time, which
was nearly expired. The corporation
were ready 10 transfer the turnpike road,
and 1t was necessary that the committee
or sotno other should be continued. He
submitted a resolution for that purpose,
which was passed. As Mr.. Potter was
absent, and Mr.. Simmons had ceased 10
be member of the House, on motion,
Messrs. Thurston, G. Allen, and Titus
were added to the committee.
On motion of Mr. Spear. Of Smith
field, the house proceeded to the consid-
Grafton of the bill entitled "sn act in
amendment Of an act entitled ~ act de-
clnrlng certain property personal es-
tate.
| This bill provides that alltho picking,
cardlng, spooing, drawing. spinning,
reelng frames, dressing, and warping
machines, looms, tools, and apparatus Of
every description, used and employed in
any cotton or woollen fastory in this
State be considered real estate in the
assessment Of taxes, and taxed in the
town in which the same is located.
Mr.. Spear said that he had his rea-
sons upon paper, for wishing the pas
sagc of this act, and would, if there
were no objection, read them. This was
assented to and he proceeded.
His objections to the present mode of
taxing cotton and woollen machluery
were two the inequality Of the system
of taxation, and that the property bene-
fitted did not bear the burthen. The
taxes were unequal, because, If Is per-
son, living in another state, owned
cotton or woollen mill, in this state, the
machinery mentioned in the bill could
uot be taxed, Mhereas if owned by n cit
izen of the town where the mill was 10
casod il would be taxed. BY the laws of
Massachusetts and Connecticut, tn spe-
! cies of property is taxed in The town
where the mill is situated, without re-
gard TO the residence of the owner.
Such ought TO be the law in this state,
to place our own citizens on the same
footing with those Of other States. A Il.
Island man has to pay tax on such
property If situated in either of those
States. 1t was principle in taxation
that the pro )erty benefited should bear
toe burden. The proprietors of mills
living out of our towns or state receive |
the benefit of our roads and pauper
laws the children of their workmen the
benefit of our schools, and among no |
class of the community have we SO many |
paupers as in that of the factory hbour-
ers. Experience proved that in factory
villages more pauperiSm occurred than
in any other parts of onr towns.
To show the inequality of taxation, be .
named the Blackstone mills established |
in part Of Mendpn, claimed by and
taxed in Massachusetts. The machine
ry in that mill, owned bv citizens of this
State, paid large tax in that town.
1t was very different with the mills be-
longing To the Messrs. Farnums citizens
of Massachusetts, situated in this State.
We could tax the real estate only under
the existing law, and the proposed act
1. Il. l.