The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-05-10

If then we are bound by the auditors instruc-
tions-and we presume no one will deny that we
are, for the law itself makes it the duty of the
auditor to give nstructions-we must pay a tax on
1.-The credits arising from the sale Of personal pro-
pery at public vendue. on book accounts and on
notes. if i: terast is reserved, even if the consde-
ration is for ''personal services, for work perform
ed, goods sold," by our mechanics, diy laborers
and farmers. We believe it is customary to charge
interest OH book accounts in six months after the
same are closed 1t can now be seen in what way
the farmers ard mechanics of this county are
affected.
There is one important question in connection
with this law, which it is necessary we should
fully understand before We give it our sanction;
and that is, Will It be the means of increasing the
revenue to the State' In view of all the facts,
we are disposed to say that it will not, and hope to
be able to give our reasons clearly.
In the first place, then, will il increase the
amount of merchants capital on the tax duplicated
BY the law the county auditors are to "deduct
from the amount of money at interest and capital
in trade, as stated and verified by the owners there
of, fifty per centum, and the remaining fifty per
centum to be entered upon the grand list for taxa
ton" Uuder this provision OF the law, we believe
that the amount of merchants capital will not be
increased above what it was under the old law, be-
cause by the old Law" "aH capital employed In mer-
chandize" was taxable, and the merchant could be
l.. A
oath, as well as by the present law. What reason
then have we to believe that the amount of mer-
chants capital will be increased ON the grand list
Are men made any more honest by the passage of
the present law' Is an oath any more binding now
than last year?
Secondly. As to money at interest. By the old
law, "dU moneys loaned at interest notes, bonds,
single bills or mortgages, over and above the
amount on which the said person pays interest,
shall be valued and assessed as so much capital,
upon the statement of the person, under oath.
By the new law only one half Of the amount re-
turned under oath is taxed; and even that escapes
if the person having the same at interest intends TO
,o,thdraD it, and attests the same under oath or
Who is there having notes or book accounts on in
teres for personal services, for work performed or
goods sold, who does not intend to withdraw the
same? We believe there are but few, if any, in
this county, and, so far as our knowledge extends
such is the course which our citizens intend TO
pursue. The consequence will be that debtors
must pay up, or pay costs. By this 'cise proriSiOn
the legislature has opened way to let nearly all
at interest escape taxation.
Thirdly. The legislature, in its wisdom, has
seen proper to let the large pork saters of Cincn-
natl and the Miami valley escape taxation. while
the hog drover pays on his capital invested. Why
is this difference? Is this one of the features of the
law which renders it unpopular with the "prost-
tute villains in the rich canal co unties?" The
fourth section of the law exempts, from taxation,
domestic animals bought for the purpose fimprov-
ing the value thereof. But if one of our citizens
should purchase so or 100 hogs, already slaughter
ed by the farmers, (Which is course frequently
pursued in this county,) he must pay tax on his
capital! There is certainly EAST difference be-
tween dead hog and a hre one, but it was left for
the wisdom of the last Legislature to tell wherein
that difference consists.
Fourthly. horse drover purchases any given
number of horses, say at $50 head; on which he
pays tax, under the new law, at the rate o: $S25
head valuation; while the farmer pays at the rate
of $40.
In view ofall these facts, how much will the
revenue OF the State of Ohio be increased?