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

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 to exert no influence on this qucs-
lion. The north, though at this time bet
ter able to bear the burihens Of increased
taxation than the south, were no more
keenly alive to the honor of our state and
her great interests. 1t was a mistaken
idea. entertained by some men, that the
people OF the south were opposed to tax
alton and in favor Of reputation lie
(Mr. h.. was acquainted with the people
OF many of the 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 extcu, Of their abb
liiies TO restore the lost credit and 10 pro-
mote the great interests Of oar state.
Fears were entertained by some, he
knew, Of the injurious effect of increased
taxation, but he believed they were with
out just grounds. Ouf 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 ready sale, and
industry met lis ust 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 cmbezzlng the public
moneys. But we could rclrcnch in every
department. Do this, increase our taxes
lightly, sand my word for it, said Mr..
h., "ihe southern men will conc 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 rccolIeccd the long Ia
bles of figures by which political Matte.
maticians had demonstrated to them that
we might borrow millions Of money, con-
slruct 1900 miles Of rail roads, aud grow
rich and powerful, and never have cent
10 pay back by way of taxation. We
had borrowed the money, squandcred it,
and all we had for it were our unfinished
public works--ile monuments Of our fol-
ly. Schemes based on long and intricate
mathematical calculations would no, salts
iy 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 : ii was
very plain, and the people understood it,
The plans suggested by tho Governor
for increasing the revenue of the state
were entitled 10 TIE most Serious consi-
Geraion. He had no doubt whatever as
To the propriety Of taking portion Of The
land tax away from the counties and Civ
ing it 10 the state for, no matter how
much was collected for county purposes,
1t was almost invariably used up by the
prodlgalIy, or proagacy, of set Of Of
flee holders who lounged about the coun-
~ seal--who were too lazy to work and
too proud TO bcg-and who pursued this
method to steal their bread from the hard
earnings of an honest 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 it,
they could sell their property. Some.
thing must &c done, or we would never
again see prosperity. This cry lha! tie I
people were unable or unwilling TO bear
taxation came not from the people them.
selves, but demagogues raised il for them. .
Generally those who made most noise
abou, 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 4
il would operate, and that it would in |
crease rather than diminish the value Of
their land. IL unfortunate circumstances
had rendered 4 portion Of our citizens bu!
poorly able TO contribute 10 the wants Of
government, tax them lightly at first, and
increase with their growing ability. Sa-
tlsfy the people that taxation viii bene-
fit the state, appeal 10 their noblcr and |
better feelings--their sense of honor and |
Of regard for du,y's 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
es. but the people lhemselvo took more
liberal view of things and, without, wish
ing 10 cast any reflections on men in Office,