Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-03-20
CITY OF RICHMOND.

Us might be considered proper.
On motion, committee of twelve appointed, to give
expression the Of the meeting consisting OF the
following gentlemen. viz:
Jos. MAYO, BIB. MINOR,
Z. Wax DEURSEN, JXo. THoNrSoN,
III. BALDWIN, H. w. FRY,
CnAS. PALMER, JNo. \. SMITH,
r. DuDLEy, ID. A. CARpwELI,
&. X. PEAKk, L. NJ. ALTRrEND.
The Committee retired for a tne and reported by their
Chairman, the following Preamble and Resolutions which
were unanimously adopted. viz;
PREAMBLE.
We, The citizens OF Richmond, have and feel deep n,e
rest IN all the laws enacted for the Com
monwcalth IL Is not and selfish interest, that
cannot look beyond ourselves but considers and cmbra
the rights and welfare of every class of the people and
every portion of State. Whatever Injustice and inc
quality there may be in the laws, will certainly fall upon
us, and may. from position and circumstances, bear
more grevousy upon and the inhabitants of other towns
but they do not affect only In vew them the COM
oppression which il will inlict upon ourselves and
fellow citizens, do here soemny protest against the
principles and provisions of the Tax bill recently passed by
the lower House of our Legislature Ii is only our
undoubted night 10 examine and the laws which are
to be executed upon u.s. but we deem it TO be sacred
duty raise voices against all injustice and inequality
IN legislation To the present Tax bill express de.
cded opposition and appeal late the Senate
TO reject 10 modify IT, obyiae objections
II they refuse do appeal and invoke the people
throughout Virginia fill the places OF it, authors and sup
porers with those who will repeal it, and repair
possible its injustice. We do make this opposition 10
the bia ia tdefious party Spirit Though be the
work OF those against whom for the
hucaly arroyed 1t Is not because they originated passed
II, that strenuousy oppose it. But believing he
unequal and UNJUST oppressive and mpaccahe, wish
its injury from ourselves and the people large
The power of taxltonis necessary every Government
and we do not mean object its proper
cIse Bat ts dangerous and often abused power and We
as good citizens, though willing cheeruy deiray
Just portion OF the expenses OF the State determined
TO guard 1t from the abuse which has been
carried If increase of Taxes be necessary,
ready 10 submit than but such increase ought
10 be uniform and guided by fixed and equitable principles
In calm and dispassionae examination of the bill
find of that uniformity and equality required
alike by the genius OF Institutions and the letter of
our Constitutions, State and Federal There scarcely
any thing, in all its provisions calculated crafty its
friends To win Its opponents, cheerful COM
piancc the part OF the People Inequality marks almost
section and Its ungrounGcd and nyiduus distinctions
are dangerous IN tendency and wrong in principle Upon
u.s. residents IN city, II falls with peculiar hardship. We
know that the general impression that cities towns and
boroughsare generally opposed the predominant party but
do wish Ia believe that they have been any
feeling OF resentment towards their admitted opponents
II they have done any thing vengeance criminal
and unworthy of Ii they deemed it right to make us
pay for peculiar advantages which supposed eroy
II was disprOporuonaie and unfair. Ii the State
give special protection privileges any class
people, she might properly charge them but from the
nature of free Institutions, she has such peculiar
privileges 20 bestow. As she protects and bcsScs alike
she should and does require that all should be taxed alike
No disparity, distinction between and country
such contained in the BILL be sustained bv ca
son, or allowed in practice but with danger and injustice.
The OF taxation and the principles and sub
ccts OF taxation should only affect proportion as
their numbers and circumstances bring towns, &c. under
their operation, and they should be regular and as mo-
derae consistent with the demands OF the State The
new rates Of taxation neither uniform for all classes of
subjects, regular for the classes. They seem TO
have been shifted arbitrarily and without controlling
principle whatever. Merchants of the same class are taxed
ulequay and 10y irregular raos and Merchants of differ
classes taxed differently aud in different ratios from
each other. Saared Officers and Capitalists taxed differ
entity aud in different ratios Holders OF propeft IN
cities sc. taxed differently from those the country
Tho ni1r ~ -n,,.u
pred nto and they must either submit have that privn-
ey and secrecy with which prefers to conduct
his concerns invaded aud destroyed subject himself
to Injurious suspicious and pay heavy penalty for his
fusa The mOdesty, the decacy and the proper caution
OF the citizen thus 10 be dsroCarded and the VEIL which
me honest has been held JUS
tfed in throwing his transactions be torn away
by the suong hand OF the taxgatheror As residents IN
city, most seriously and unequally affected by the
new tax bill; and, 20 far have complain of
burden that presses heavily than Others
bound 60 pronounce II unconsccnous and unaw.
full But citizens of this renowned old Common ealth
only residents of Richmond do object 10 the new
bill; For the credit and honor OF the State whose faith
yet mistaken; the comfort and rights of our
selves and children; for the sake Justice 10 the diving who
have the unquesonable right dispose of their property
they please and for the sake of the needy who may be
the objects of their bounty called upon to protest
against so Odious a
BE it, therefore, by this meeting Resolred
Resolued ls That uniformity and equality are the basis
OF all wise and constitutional legislation, and especially of
all just tGrGtioH These principles required by the
letter ana spirit OF the fundamental laws OF the and
cannot be abandoned, without great danger nsti
tons and great oppression the people. The Government
should throw its .Egs all alike and all alike.
Resoired, 2dly That have disposition 10 make
iactuus, opposition such our
Legislature may think proper enact; that have no
desire 10 obsruct the due enactment OF the Laws do
den0unce increase of the of the Sate-but be-
licving the bill, recently passed by House of
our Legislature to be unequal UNJUST and
al we are constrained to oppose IT, and appeal the
Senate TO prevent 1t from becoming the law Of the Land
Resolred 3diy, That citizens Of Richmond we can
pay much taxes on our real pro-
perry, the holders OF the of real in
the country which required do, by this recent
tax bill II cur property il more valuable, and our advantn
ges greater, expenses heavier and we have the adj
diuona burden OF supporting corporate establish
menL
Rssolred 4th That uniformity and equality are violated
only the difference OF the property IN towns
and in the country; but in all the provisions Of the tax bill
concerning merchants hotel keepers and auctionccrs H.
cences and the stocks and income II unjust
10 make small merchants pay az greater than LaTgcr
ones; and merchants who deal in mode than those
who deal m another IL isunust 70 tax those who provide
accommodations for the public, higher than the largest
wholesale merchants, 1t Is more unjust still tax the
clerk, the mechanic, tdo saar.d officer anu citizen
5ho may be dependant his ezertaas, higher than
tie rich capitalist, 7ho may hare his thousands
feTeSf. Yet oil this injustice is committed and much more
] by this Tax bill which here condemn.
RsoiUsd, 5ihy. That any portion Of the interest
the State debt deprive the creditor any part
OF the six per guaranteed him by the State, is pro
tdEf0 reputation 0f ne obligations Of the State and
rioigiioa Of The Constitution. As creditors we can never
submit lose any portion Of what has been saCrcdy guar.
antied 10 II the Legislature have power take ~
per cent. Of the dividends, may suspend, take the
whole and pay the principal by simiiar enact
MeHf. ~ ieur Dt violating principle, Constitutional
barrier, restricts them to % per eent-and, should the
right bc conceded, whenever the supposed Of the
State require IT, Mev ca rh the Justice take both
interest and principal from The public orsdor. As Cit.
OF beloved State, whose fame s unryaled and
whose honor is uusi1il,d brook the thought
that her pledge is be held sacred than he
faith should be violated suspected would give her
whole domain o. redeem it.
ResOirsd, Gthy. That the bounty Of tho dying 90.
wards his collateral kindred, unjust interference with
the right every man has Of dsposng Of his property accord
ing % low. Il s the same thing, as i Government should
take much Of mans property from him, without any
confederation The Of bis dissouon, when he was
unable resist h. ~ ndIc-; and unfair mode Of
changing the aw Of doyisc and boquos and prcUeHfs che
citiscn from repiHg hs taH benefit of hs kinsaga's
bOunty.
hssoiosd 7hy Thcus the duyaud interested those who
have passed this BILL Justly obnoxious oil these nsu.