The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-04-26
THE SPIRIT OF DEMOCnACY.
EHA 81 HhII OF DEMUCKACH.
EDITED BY j. R. MORRIS.
7 WOODSFIELD, OHIO:
SATURDAY,. April 26, Is45.
THE TAX Law.


| opinion, and the more we study and examine th
effects Of the law, the more are we surprised tba
the legislature did not see and know more OF III,
wishes and interests OF the people of the State.
BY this law, which is unequal in its operation
and eSactlons, the people OF the eastern portion
Oio, are TO be saddled with tax, laid in the mos
objectionable form possible, for the purpose o
swelling the public purse to pay the interest upon
large debt, created for the benefit of other por.
.ions of the State; and by it perhaps enable the
public functionaries to continue system so des.
tructive to the general good, and SO remarkably
beneficial to the especuators engaged directly and
indirectly in the system Of plunder heretofore car
ried on.
The mass of the people Of Ohio have been made
slaves by taxation to benefit but spot, here and
there, on the broad surface of the State, and the
legislature OF last winter has stepped in and by Its
tax law drove the last nail in
the coffin Taxes have made the people OF Eng.
land slaves, and the people of Ohio have at last to
tread the same path They are now bound to stand
in their own defence against such legislatures and
such laws, and proclaim as they did in '76, "mons
for defence, but not one cent for tribute"
All the business men Of the State must now 90
by the board-lheir business must be taxed out of
existence-and the citizen himself made to swear
that he has made true return Of all property tared
by the ia,oef last tcinter, when no two lawyers,
however experienced. after much examination and
reflection, can agree as to what, by the law should
properly be taxed. And thus all must swear to the
law and the property intended to be taxed by it
Has not the legislature, by the passage of this law,
called upon the people to commit moral perjury'
They have called upon them to swear to things of
which they know nothing-to law which they
cannot construe-and about which those, whose
of no better way in relation to this matter than to
follow the injunction of the scriptures, s'swear not
at ALL"
The merchant without capital who by his long
enough to obtain stock over 500, and by which
he expects TO support himself and his family, and
for which he has spent years of industry, is, an at
once, stopped IN his career by this abomlnable tax
aw-the credit, purchased by the sweat of his
brow, has been destroyed by men who know not
md cannot feel the difficulties OF the tolns mil
ions. The law reaches all mechanics, and il makes
10 difference between those having credit and
hose having capital 1t operates very severe on
III dealers in personal property. Millers, wagon
,rs, the purchasers of flour, pork, beet, tobacco,
Eggs, butter, chickens and cheese, are made to
eel its effects, if over one hundred dollars are in
strikes at the first cost OF the articles which becomes
reduced in value in the hands of the proJucer-
All such persons by the law are deemed traders
nd their investments capital in trade. Those op-
rating in produce along the Ohio river, must not
'ny undergo the perils of the river and the hazard
If poor market but they must lay down their
asst cent for tribute at the feet OF such legislators
S Columbus contained last winter
Foreigners may now come here and do what
ur own citizens cannot They may buy, traffic
nd trade in produce free Of tax, which our own
izens, under the law, cannot do Thus giving
oreign labor a preference over the labor of our
eople, and consequently driving such business out
# The State, or out of the hands of the people OF
he State. Suppose, for example, that one of our
wn citizens should invest ten thousand dollars IN
ne purchase of the produce ofthe farmer-the tax
n his capital would be one hundred dollarswhil
ne foreigner, citizen any other portion of the
lobe, engaged in the same business and the same
mount of capital would not be taxed one cent
We're the members of the legislature so blind as not
the pernicious effect this law will have upon
lie most enterprising and meritorious portion OF
ur citzens-the farmers and produce dealers?-
he dealer in produce perils his lie, defes the
Did and storms of the ocean and river, in carrying
} a foreign market the products of the farmer,
lille this odious measure is being passed. Itmight
e edifying If not amusing to inquire how this tax
w effects other classes. How much tax does this
W impose upon the capital Of Bankers for money
vested in bank stock Not one cent! Is this
justIce' No; it is a violation ofevery
'incple Of right, and contrary to the principles
pom which our government is based. No enact
ent should be tolerated which does not impose
lnal burthens upon all. If the person, hereto
re engaged in purchasing produce to the amaunt
ten thousand dollars, is, by the tax law, induced
vest his money in bank stock, he thereby escapes,
ltirely, the payment of tax under this law. BY
provisions the tobacco crop Of this county,
hich, for the last year, is supposed to be worth
70 hundred thousand dollars, will be taxed in the
nds of the merchants, to the amount of two thou
nd dollars. Now, every one can see, that it is {
the power of the merchants to reduce the price
tobacco so that this tax of two thousand dollars
i'll fall on the farmers Who can now say with
y semblance of truth, that the farmers OF this
unity are not affected by the law. m walioil
Or In another column will be found an article /
er the signature of"Oscar, giving the writer's !
ews of the tax law We have no doubt but that !
sI.it !. 80 = | .