The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-01-17

MOuntalns, was deeply ih'eleslcu III the
completion of this canal and the whole
depended upon our willingness to bear a
small tax for the payment of interest mp
on our public debt. About this there
could be no difficulty, if the proper course
was pursued. Sectional feeling should be
allowed 10 exert no influence on this ques-
ton. The north. though at this time bet
ter able to bear the burthens Of increased
taxation than the south, were no more
keenly alive to the honor of our state aud
her great interests. 1t was mistaken
idea, entertained by some men, tina! Inc
people of The south were opposed to tax
aiion and in favor Of Republication He
(Mr. h. was acquainted with the people
oil many Of lhe southern counties, and il
gave him pleasure 10 State that they were
men Of noble and generous dispositions,
high minded and honorable, and would
freely contribute to The oXten, Of their abb
lilies TO restore The lost credit and to pro-
mole The great interests Of our state.
Fears were entertained by some, he
knew, OF the injurious effect Of increased
taxation, but he believed they Were with
out just grounds. Our rate Of taxation for
state purposes was less than in most Of
the states of the Union and those states
that were most taxed were most prosper
Gus. In New York, Pennsylvania, and
Ohio the rate Of taxation was much higher
than in this state yet there money was
plenty, property found a ready sale, and
industry met its just reward. A great
deal might be saved to the state by econo-
my. We paid our public officers too
much. True, We should pay them enough
TO ensure men Of respectable talents, and
TO keep them from embczzlng the public
moneys. But we could rclrcnch in every
department DO this, increase our taxes
lightly, "and my word for it," said Mr..
H., "lhe southern men will come up TO
The mark with the north" lie had ira
yelled among them, and knew them well.
They did not understand figures as well
as some, but show them plain, common
sense, feasible plan, and they would be
with us. They rccolcCtcd the long la
bles Of figures by which political mathe.
maticians had demonstrated to them that
we might borrow millions of money, con
struct 1900 miles of rail roads, and grow
rich and powerful, aud never have a cent
TO pay back by way Of taxation. We
had borrowed the money, squandered ii,
and all we had for it were our unfinished
public works--the monuments Of our fol-
ly. Schemes based on long and intricate
mathematical calculations would not salts
~ the people, nor pay The public debt
But we had now come to the simple
question Of taxation or reputation, and
there were no figures about this {: it was
very plain, and the people understood it.
The plans suggested by the Governor
for increasing the revenue of the state
were entitled to the most serious consi-
dera,on. lie had no doubt whatever as
70 the propriety of taking portion Of the
land tax away from the counties and Iiy-
ing it 10 the state for, no matter how
much was collected for county purposes,
1t was almost invariably used up by the
prodigality, or proiigacy, Of set of Of
fee holders who lounged abou, the coun-
~ seat-whp were too lazy 10 work and
100 proud 10 oeg--and who pursued this
method TO steal their bread from the hard
earnings Of an homes, people.
Something should be done this winter
-he believed something would be done.
No time should be lost TO do all we could.
Our credit was gone, our energies were
relaxed. Emigration stunned us, and ma.
ny Of our best citizens would leave US if
they could sell their property. Some
thing must be done, or we would never
again zee prosperity. This cry tia. the
people were unable or unwilling 10 bear
taxation came not from the people them.
selves, but demagogues raised it for them.
Generally those who made most noise
about taxation were as destitute of pro-
perry as they were Of moral honesty.
Those who owned property and would
have the taxes to pay well understood how
1t would operate, and tina, it would in
crease rather than diminish the value of
their land. II unfortunate circumstances
had rendered portion Of our citizens but
poorly able 10 contribute 10 the wants Of
government, tax them lightly at first, and
increase with their growing ability. Sa-
iisiy the people that taxation will bone.
ds the state, appeal 10 their uobler and
better ieelings-their sense of honor and
Of regard for days calls-and they will
cheerlully submit, to it. Demagogues
tried to enlist the sympalhies Of the mass
by talking about low salaries and no tax.
L.. al, 4. A ,n,l,