Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-06-16

The public faith must he sustained. ant
! all Of the liabilities of the state promptly met
The true interests of the state and the PEG
! pie. and an economical administration of il:
fiscal affairs. imperiousIy call for tt. The
basis upon which the credit Of The state is
established i'll the inception of its political
existence, will mark lis future character fol
years. trust you will, al the present ses
sion, make such legislative enactments as
will place the finances OF the state upon q
sure and solid footing, that will insure a
prompt compliance with its pecuniary OBJ
| legations. We have before us the example
of our sister states in striking contrast be-
tween the advantages OLA sound public cred
II, and the consequences resulting from an
accumulated state debt and violation Of the
public faith. highly detrimental to the best
interests al the people. and alike injurious
To individual enterprise. Let us profit by
their example, and at all times be prepared
TO say TO the state creditors, we are ready
to fulfil our engagements. A failure or wan
ton neglect To meet just liabilities, is pracii-
cal population. Never let it he said that
Wisconsin soil generates or nourshes such
principle.
The immediate available rGurces of rev.
enue i'll state just entering upon its pollti-
cal existence, must necessarily be limited.
and resort must be had to its natural
wealth by direct taxation for the purposes
of revenue. Our constitution has disposed
OF all other sources of revenue for the laud-
able object of creating munlfcent school
fund. 4 direct tax upon property real and
personal, is therefore the only reliable quar-
ter from which the means can be realized
to dclray the current expenses Of the slate.
would, therefore, respectfully recommend
the levylng of direct tax sufficient to COW
er any deficiency of the treasury in meeting
the state for the present fiscal year. The
state tax authorised To he levied uLder the
present laws, is Limited in amount, and laid
at different periods Of time. In those coun-
ties under The commissioner system of gov
eminent, the taxes are levied in July and
in those counties under the township system
in September. In the event tIiatthe amount
Of state taxes nos authorized by law to be
levied should be insufficient 10 supply the
wants Of the treasury, and an additional tax
levied for the purposes referred to, it would
require the immediate action of the legisla-
ture in directing the tax TO lie levied, or in
postponirg to 4 later day the time of levy
ing taxes in those counties under The COM
missioner system of government, so as To
avoid multiplicity Of tax warrants III the
sante county many one year, and confusion
in the collection.
While on the subject of revenue
would call the attention of the Legislature to
The different kinds of property subject to
taxation. In some counties real estate with
out improvements, merchandise and stock
in incorporated companies only, are liable
to taxation, and in others both personal and
real estate with Improvements are taxed
This system is evidently founded on a
wrong basis, and does not bear equally up
on all branches of industry. J'he true prin-
ciple of taxation in republican governments
having due regard 10 the rights of the
whole people, extending equal protection 10
! all, aud exclusive Gavors 10 none is that all
property, real and personal, should be tax
ed in the same ratio according to its value.
Property receiving its projection from the
State. and being the only source out of
which the means for suppdrtirglts govern
mcnt can he derived, should yield that sup
port as an equivalent for the protection af-
iordcd 10 it by the government. This prin
ciple carried out, will bear equally upon all,
and be oppressive TO none. | would rec
ommend such modification Of the present
laws relating 10 the descriptions Of proper
" subject 10 taSatlcn, rs will correspond
with the views expressed. The constitu-
ton recognizes this principle, and the true
interests of the state require it.
The constitution. in the bill Of rights. de-
clares that the privilege Of the debtor to
enjoy the necessary comforts of life shall
be recognized bv wholesome laws, exempt
ing reasonable amount of property from
seizure or sale, for the payment Of any debt
or liability hereafter Contracted That tho
principle ofexpmption is correct, human'o
and lust towards the unfortunate debtor, is
universally admitted. This principle being
conceded. it therefore becomes question
of cxpediency only, as to the amount and
species of properly to be exempted. On
this question public opinion is divided.
On the one hand II is commended that per-
sonal property only should he exempted,
aud on the other. that the debtor should
have a reasonable amount Of real estate
as homestead" exempted from forced
sale.
If the debtor is not TO be stripped Of all
the comforts Of life, and himself and family
left destitute, there can be no good reason.
resting upon principle or public policy,urg-
ed to sustain any distinction in the kinds Of
property to be exempted. The same prn-
clple that would exempt personal property
would apply with equal force 10 the cxemp-
ton of real estate.
This subject have given much rcnec-
ton. and am fully convinced that the cX-
cmption from forced sale, Of a reasonable
amount OF real estate as 'homesiead'' for
the debtor. though in my opinion unwise
and impolilc as a constitutional law. would
be as a statutory provision, measure of
permanent public benefit, create sound in
dividual credit. suppress fraud.prpvent want.
and raise the moral character of our peo-
pie.
Therefore respectfully call your attention
TO this subject as worthy OF consideration.
and urge that provision be made by law to
carry out the homestead exemption princi