Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-02-10
WALL.
For the Ypsilanti Sentinel.

Mr.. Editor:-The time of the Legislature
has been grievously wasted of late by long and
empty speeches on triiing questions. A great
majority of the memhers seem disposed to right,
except when their own pay is in question but
they seem to be afflicted with an incapacity to
do any thing useful. The members who, from
their talents and their position in the majority
are gratiicd to take lead in carrying through
beneficial measures, appear to lack the DISPOSE
ton. The Wings are not allowed to do any
| thing. So, from all present appearances, this
session bids fair to be barren one; and use
appropriation of lands for repairing the Grand
River Road, occupied good deal of the time Of
the Honse to-day. 1t was opposed by Mr..
Truesdell, Mr.. ID. Pierce and others, who dis
approve of any appropriations of the resources
of the State for any public work, as adding so
much to the amount of taxes that will have to
be raised on account of our public debt. The
fact is undeniabe that we are taxed without
money. According to the Auditor Generals
Report, the whole amount of our taxes for all
purposes is at least $4,000; which is equal
to one and two thirds per cent on the assessed
value of all the property in the State. In lS49
we shall have to increase our State TAX at least
100000 to pay the accruing interest on our
State debt. Thus will our taxes amount to t,co
per cent OH the present valuation of the property
of the State. 1t is true, this valuation is low;
still the amount of our taxes will be enormous
and oppressive, if a thorough retrenchment is
not made in our State, county and township ex-
penses. Mr.. Fl. w. Taylor,a few days, in some
remarks on report of the Committee Of State
affairs adverse to any reduction of county or
township expenses,-said that he had no doubt
but that from 100000 to 100000 per annum
might be saved by judicious reorganization of
our counties and township, and proper reduc-
ton of our State expenses. There is no doubt
of this. Yet ourLegislature appear to be either
unwilling to do any thing or incapable of doing
| it.
The House have had under consideration a
bill to define the homestead and exempt it from
execntion-the quantity of land land not o ex-
coed 40 acres nor the value $500. The bill has
been strenuousIy opposed by few members,
but the House, so far, have evinced a disposition
to sustain it, by voting down all amendments
that were supposed to be he stile to the objects
of the bill. To render the exemption of sub
stantial use, the homestead should be made in
alienabe by mortgage.
The judiciary committee have reported "a
gainst the constitutionaity of the bill directing
the Supervisors to divide the counties into single
representative districts. Constitutional doubts
afford convenient refuge for politiciens who
wish to kill any useful measure which they dare
not openly oppose. But the Senate have joint
resolution for amending the constitution so as
to have both Senators andRepresentatives cleo
ted by single districts, bienially instead of an
nualy. 1t provided also for biennial instead
annual sessions, and for the election of state Of
feers and judges by the people. But few if any
will openly oppose the amendments, but wheth-
er they will be allowed to pass through the Lee
gislature, have no means of knowing.
FEB. s. A bill to amend the tax laws was I'M
der consideration in the house to-day, when
Mr.. Tell moved its recommitment to the COM
mittes of Views and Means with Instructions