Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-03-23

sim ia that cities towns and boroughs are generally
opposed TO the predominant pary but we do not wish
10 believe that they have been actuaied ~ any ieeg
of resentment towards their admitted opponents IL
they have done any thing IN vengeance was cllh-
nal and unworly of men. II they deemed il right 10
MAKO -. nay for peculiar advantages, which We are
supnosed 10 enoy II dsproporl'onate and unfair.
If the State were give any spec'a Protecon' OF pr
yleces 10 any class Of our people, she might properly
cb,fca ,lsm for IL but, from the nature OF our Zee
che has no such peculiar privileges 10 be
s,ov .he protects and besses all alike, she should
md does REQUIRE that all should be taxed alike NO ds
o,r;tv no distinction between town end county, s"ch
a. contained in the bill caa be sustained by reason,
n, ,ll,wcd in practice, bat with danger ana nusuce
The new rates If taxation, and the new principles and
nbier,s Of taxation should cnly effect towns IN proper
lion a their runihes and circumstances Din4 to"hs
&c under their operation, and ihey should De
and AS moderate rs Is consistent wan Tue ueiianas VI
Tho s,,.e The new rates OF taxation are neither UNI
So c. III ,as..s of subjects; regular for the same
classes They seem have been shifted arbitrarily and
v.bou, INV controlling principle whatever Merchants
-, ,h e class are taxed unequally and by irregular
ratios and Merchants OF different classes are taxed
da-n,,,, ond in different ratios from each other Sa
ared officers and Capitalists are taxed differently anu
IN .iarep, ro:os Holders OF real property in cities,
S.c t,yed differently from those in the country,
and donnie the amount. The affairs of merchants are
pried into: and they must either submit TO have that
nrvncv aud secrecy with which every man prefers TO
condnc, his own concerns invaded and destroyed,
subject himsefto injurious suspicious and pay heavy
penav for his refusal. The modesty the decacy, and
the proper caution of the citizen, thus to be dise-
pa rded and the veil, which every one, The 'noSt
honest has been long held justified in throwing over
his TRANSACTIONS is TO be torn away by the strong hand
of the tax.raiherer. AS residents IN city, We are
mos, seriously and uneqnay affected by The new tax
bill; and so far we have cause 10 complain oil any
burden that presses more heavily IMAM on oters,
we arc bound to pronounce it unconscentIons and un
I,,t citi1 Of
monweallh not only rs residents of Richmond, do We
ohiec, to the new tax bill For the credit and honor OF
the State whose faith yet mistaken; for the comfort
interest and rights OF ourselves and children; Tor The
sake of Justice the dying, who have the unquestnn
able right dispose OF their property they please;
and for sake Of the needy, who may he the objects
OF their bounty, called upon 10 protest against
so odcus n measure
y. it, therefore, by this meeting
lst ResOised, That uniformity and equality are the
basis of all wise and constitutional legislation, and
peciaiiy If all Just taTaitoR These principles are re-
CURED by the letter and spirit nt the fundamental laws
OF the State; and cannot be abandoned, without great
danger institutions and great oppression TO The
people. The Government should throw lis Egs over
all alike and tax all alike.
I'd. Resoiced, That we have no disposition to make
faciious or unnecessary opposition, TO such measures
Legislature may think proper to enact; that we
have desire to obstruct the due enactment oil the
laws do denounce an increase oil The taxes
n the State but believing the Tax bill recently
passed by the lower House of our Legislature, to be
atqua unust and unconstitutional, constrained
oppose IT, and 10 appeal 10 the Senate to prevent
from becoming the law Of the land.
Sd. ReSoired, That citizens of Richmond, we can
not consent pay twice much IN taxes on our real
property the holders of the amount OF real es
tate the country which required 10 do by this
recent Tax bill II property is more valuable, and
advantages greater expenses are heavier and
have the additional burden OF supporting our own
corporate establishment.
18th. ReS0iced That uniformity and equality are vio-
lated only The difference OF the taxes on property
in and III the country but IN all The provisions
OF the tax bill, concerning merchants, hotel Keepers,
aad auconeers licenses, and the taxes On stocks ana
income. 1t is unjust to make small merchants pay at
4 greater rate than larger ones and merchants who
deal in mode than those who deal IN another. 1t
unjust tax those who provide accommodations for
the public, higher than the largest wholesale merchants
1t il unjust still to tax the clerk, the mechanic,
the saared officer or any citizen who may be depend
on his eXerlons, higher than The rch capitalist
who mey have his thousands out at interest Yet ali
this injustice committed and much more by this lax
bill winch here condemn.
oh Resolecd, That TO tax any portion OF the int
rest on the State debt deprive the creditor of
any part OF the per cent guaranteed 10 him by the
State is, pro tantO, reputation OF the obligations OF
the State, and violation OF the Constitution AS ere
ditors, we can never submit TO lose any portion OF
vi hat has been sacredly guaranteed to If the Lee
aislalure have power take 81 per cent of the dv
dends, 1t may suspend, take the whole; and even
pay the principal By similar enactment No tear OF
violating prncpleno constitutional barrier restricts
them % per cent-and, should The right be conce-
ded, whenever the supposed necessities CT The State
require H. they can, with the same justice, take both
interest and principal from the public creditor. As
citizens of beloved State, whose fame is unrivaed,
and whose honor is unstained, we cannot brook the
thought, that her pledge is not TO be held sacred
Soouer than her faith should be violated or suspected,
we would give her whole domain 10 REDEEM il.
9th. Resotred That 10 tax the bounty OF the dying
towards his collateral kindred, il unjust lnterier-
ence with the right every has of dsposng OF hs
property according 20 law. Ii 10 the thing, if
from him. wiihnu, any consideration, the eve Of hs
dissolution, when he was unable to resist It. II is ali
indirect and unfair mode Of changing the law OF de
vses and bcquess and prtrcats the citizen from reap
iag the faH bentdi ot his kinSman $ bounty.
9Th. Res0tred, That 1t 10 the duty and interest OF
these who have passed this bill, justly obnoxious to
all these insuperahIe objections, to repeal, or greatly
amend it, before the adjournment of the Legislature,
that its inequality and injustice may never be permitted
farther 10 aiilici generous, but greatly depressed
STD. Resoiced That this preamble, with the resoln-
tons, be signed by the Chairman and Secretary and
published in the papers published in this City, and
copy thereof be sent to the Senator from this Dis
tct with the request that he lay the same before the
Senate.
On motion of Joseph Mayo, Esq,
ReSoired, That the Senate be respectfully requested
amend the bil imposing taxes for the support OF
Governments, now before them, not to impose tax
upon the interest profit arising from sale or trans
fer Of the scrip of this city.
The meeting addressed by II. T. Daniel, b. b
Minor, and Joseph Mayo, Esqs.
On motion, the meeting adjourned
WIN. LAMBERT, Gin.
Tuos. NJ. AlrRlEsp, secy.
The Virginia Legislature has refused S7 600 as her
share of the proceeds Of the public lands under the dis
tfibuon law. She deserves credit Congress has no
rrht give away TO States money hal belonga TO the