The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-08-11
Bank Tax.

We had thought we would not again
trouble our readers with any remarks in
reply to the Belmont Chronicles many in
consistencies and false statements. That
intention we shall so far carry out as to
notice but few of the numerous falsifca-
tons put forth by him in his last paper, and
then leave him to glory in his own shame.
He exhibits such an utter disregard of
truth in all his statements, that the merest
novice in politics can detect him.
His subservience to the money power
has become so great that it matters not
what project might be started by the mo-
neyed aristocracy of the land, he would
be found to be their willing and suppliant
advocate. Because we take the ground,
in common with the entire democracy of
the State, that any Legislature has the
power to repeal or change the enacments
of a former Legislature, he processes to
be perfectly Mortified. Where banks are
concerned he can see "solemn contract"
staring him in the face at every step, and
it would be gross sacrilege to change the
law in any particular which governs them.
We are not such "cringer" as that
We believe the Legislature has as much
power to increase the tax of banks after
they come into existence, as it has to in
crease the tax on a farmers horse or land,
after he purchases it. There is no differ
ence, except in the eyes of those who are
determined to sustain the moneyed aris-
tocracy at all hazards.
In every article he has written on this
subject he has attempted to palm off on
his readers the grossest calculations.-
And in his last article he says that in 1914,
Gov. It. w. BARLEY, (the acting Governor
after the resignation of Gov. Shannon,
a democrat, in his message, estimated the
value of real estate in this State at $780,
100000, and that the income of agricultur-
lists was $45,362, 400. This, the editor of
the Chronicle says, ''would be about 90
per cent on the investment" The per
cent. is only about 10 instead of 90, as he
alleges; and yet he makes great profess
sions Of fairness and honesty. Now if we
deduct, from the above estimated income,
fair compensation for the services of all
persons engaged in agriculture, and all
their expenses for animals and farming
utensils, he will find the estimate of to
Al per cent, as the nett profits of farmers,
fully equal to what it actually is In truth,
land does not usually rent for more than
about per cent, and about that sum is
the amount usually given by writer's on
the subject, as the nett profits of agricul-
turists.
He asserts that he has "showed that un.
der our tax law a very large amount ol
capitol other than land and animals has
been added to our tax list, thus relieving
the farmer, who before paid the principal
part of the taxes, from heavy per cent
of the additional taxes which were neces-
sary to be raised, in order to pay the inter-
est, and part of the principal ofthe State
debt" Now let us see of how much the
farmers are relieved! The tax on the
property of agriculturists has been increas'
ed since 1914, very nearly if not quite
half million of dollars. This is RELIEF
with vengeance! IT is relieving the
pockets of the farmers Of their money
pretty rapidly.
These statements are about fair sam
ple of all the Chronicles calculations
When he learns to confine HIMSELF to facts
and figures, we may again notice him.
One thing we would like to know, and
that is how much he is paid by the money
power for his subservience? and whether
his readers believe word of his articles
on this subject! If they do, they are tc
be pitied.
or The Cholera has so far abated In
st. Louis and Cincinnati, that no regula
reports of the number of deaths are nov
made.
Sandusky city has suffered more, il
proportion to its population, than any othe
place in the State We notice some re
ports which say that as many asfifty death
have occurred in "a hours; and that as ma
ny as 90 collins were placed in the sam
grave, or rather vault, for the reason tina
graves could not be dug as fast as needed
Physicians and nurses went from Cincin
natl, to Sandusky, to wait upon the al
flicted.