Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-09-16
Ought Banks to pay as much lax as
the individual Citizens

The whole force Of the whig press has
been spent in endeavors to convince the
people that the Tax Law of last winter was
not only just in principle but also in its de-
tail. They have worked increasingly to
show that it would be a great blessing to all
classes Of community, and to none more so
than the farmers of Ohio. They have la
bored most strenuously to show that this
law operated equally upon all classes of
community. The democrats, in the mean
time. have insisted that the taxes of the
farmer, upon his lands, would be largely
increased, and that the capital of banks did
not, under this law, pay their equal pro-
portion Of taxes. That the banks are not
taxed in the same manner, upon the same
principle, as other property, is admitted by
all-the banks being taxed upon their prof
its only, while all other property is taxed
upon the full amount of its value. But,
Notwithstanding this the whig papers have
earnestly contended that banks pay as much
tax upon their capital as is paid upon an
equal amount of capital otherwise invested.
Such is the whole drift of labored effort
ofa correspondent of the Star, in that pa
per of last week. Now, we know, from,
the report Of the Auditor of State, that the
average amount Of tax paid by the several
banks Of this State amounts to 4,94 mills
upon the dollar of their capital--and from
the notice of the Treasurer Of this county
we know that the property of the county
pays over IA mills upon the dollar, ex-
! elusive of the tax for township purposes
But, this advocate of this unequal and un.
just law, says, "We supposed that every
one knew that other property was valued
for taxation at less than one third Of its
cash value" We suppose and know, that
if,the author Of that article has read the tax
law he knows that other property is not SO
valued. For that law makes it the duty of the
assessor to leave written or printed notices
with each individual in his township with
blank forms, TO be filled up by the person
with whom such notice is left containing
the full amount of his property, subject to
taxation, with the true value thereof in
cash, to which statement he or she shall be
sworn. The law makes 1.-THE duty of the
auditor to levy tax for this year upon one
half Of the amount Of the property, so as
sessed for taxation. So it is not true that
"oiher property was valued for taxation at
less than one third Of its cash value" And
now how stands the case? Why, q man
having $1,000 other than bank capital pay
ing upon half the amount at the rate Of ID
mills upon the dollar, would pay q tex Of
seven dollars, while the tax upon the same
amount Of capital in bank would pay but
S4,94, nearly one half less than is paid by
other kinds of property. And yet this
contributor Of the Star and the editor of
that sheet, as well as the principal >whig
papers and orators, think the people have
noreason to complain Of nm act of such
manifest injustice. Indeed, they seem to
think that they ought to be very thankful
that the heavy hand Of oppression is not
laid more heavily upon them.
The people Of Ohio are considered free
people, possessing equal right and privil-
eyes, and by every principle Of justice
should tho laws Of the State bear equally
Upon all, and SO they will, if the people are
rletF -~-7