Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-06-17

able resources now in the treasury, should be
provided to meet the current expences of
the state, for the fiscal year ending on the
first Monday Of January next.
he public faith must be sustained, and
all the liabilities Of the state promptly met.
i he true interests of the state and people,
and an economical administration of its ifs
cal affairs, mperously call for it. The ba-
sis upon which the credit of the state is es-
tablished ~ the inception of its political ex-
istencc will mark its future character for
years. trust you win at the present scs-
sion make such legislative cnactments as
will'place the finances of the state upon
sure and solid footing, that will ensure
a prompt compliance with all it, pecaniary
obligations. We have before us the exam
pie Of our sister states in striking contrast
between the advantages of sound public
credit, aud the consequences resulting from
an accumulated state debt and the violation
OF public faith, highly detrimental to the
hes; Interests offlie people, and alike injuri-
Gus 10 individual enterprise. Let us profit
by their example and at all times be prepar-
ed TO sayfp the state creditors, we are ready
TO sfBlh our engagements. A failure or
waDton neglect 10 meet just liabilities, il
practical reputation. Never let il I've said
tha. Wtscpnsinsoil generates or nourishes
such n principle.
fheimmediate. hyilalfe, sources Of rev.
cnue in state just entering ,i1jon its politi-
cal existence, uust successfully he limited,
and resort must ie had TO It's natural
wealth ny, duecf iaxaian for The purposes
OF revenue Our eogstititinD has disposed
nj all f.tInr ,,T O.. 81. H..
dalie object Of creating a IIsii,ificent school
fund. a direct tax upon. properly READ and
personal u therefore the only reliable quar-
ter from which the means ran be realized IN
defray The current expenses of ihr state
womb therefore respectfully recommend
the ieyyIng ola direct state tax sufficient To
cover any deficiency Of the treasury IN meet
ing Jhe expenses of the state for the present
fiscal year. The state tax authorized 10 he
levied under the present iaws is limited in
amount and laid At different periods oftinc.
IN those counties under the commissioner
system Of government, the taxes are levied
~ July, and in those counties under the
township system in September. In the event
that the amount Of state taxes now author
ized by law 10 he levied should be insufficient
10 supply the wants of the treasury and M
additional tax levied for the purposes refer
red to, it would require the immediate nc
ton Of The legislature in directing the TAX
10 be levied, or IN posipoping TO a laicr day
The time Of lcvying taxes in those counties
under the commissioner system Of govern
ment 80 as 10 "A avoid n multiplicity of tax
warrants in the same county in any one year,
md confusion in their collection.
While upon The subject of revenue, !
wonld rail- the attention nf the legislature
20 he.diflerent kinds of property subject 10
taxation. ln some counties real estate with |
out improvements, merchandise and stock |
in incorporated companies only, are liable |
to taxation, md in others both personal and |
real estate with improvements are taxed |
This system is evidently founded on wrong |
basis, and does not hear equally upon all /
branches of industry. The true principle I
Of TAXATION in republican governments, hav- /
ing due regard 10 the rights Of the whole /
people, extending equal protection to nll and /
exclusive tavors 10 none, Is that nli property |
real AND personal should be taxed in the |
same ratio according 10 its value. Proper /
~ receiving It's protection from the state, !
and being the only source out of which the /
means for supporting IL government can be |
derived, sbonld yield that support, MS an
equivalent 'lor'the-prolection afforded to il |
Ivy the government. This principle carried |
out will bear equally upon all. AID be OPP
pressye tn none. would recommend such |
n modification Of the present laws relating /
To the descriptions of property subject to
taxation MS will correspond with the views
expressed. The constitution recognizes this
principle, and the true interests of the state
require IL.
The constitution, in the hill nf rights, de-
clnrcs that the privilege of the debtor TO
enjoy the necessary comforts of life shall be
ky wholesome laws, cxempting
n reasonable amount OF property from seiz-
nre gg sale, for the payment of any debt or
Liability hereafter contracted" That the
principle Of exemption is correct, humane
aud Just towards the unfortunate debtor, is
admitted. The principle being
conceded, i, therefore becomes question of
cxpcdiency only, as 10 the amour, aud spe-
cies of property 10 he exempted. On this
question, public opinion is divided.
On the one hand II is contcndcd that per-
scnal property only should he exempted, |
md on the other, that the debtor should 1
have reasonable amount of real estate rs
a " homestead" exemp, from forced sale.
IL the debtor is not 20 hc stripped of NIL .
the coininrts of life, and himself aud family
left destitute, there can he ma good reason,
resting upon principle or public policy, urg
Cd to sustain any distinction in the kinds of /
property 10 be exempted. The same prn- |
ripple; th'r would exempt personal property
@oull apply with equal force to the csemP- /,
lion 81 real estate.
This suliect have given much reflection
and gn Gully convinced that the exemption
from forced sale. 81 reasonable amount vi
real ~s,atc hs "hnn,esiea,i'' for the debit
or, though in ins opinion unwise an,l impoi-
tie as constitutional law, wonld he a. n
statutory provision, u measure of permanent 1
aHkt... l.n.Tf aronfa snt.psl IN txtfttai ,ral.