The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-22

committee, and il was thought best to leave the
provision as il now stands.
The question then being taken on tho amend
mept of Mr. WALKER, il was not agreed to.
Mr.. WALKER. Mr.. President, have an
other amendment to offer, of which spoke some
time SINCE which does not at all affect the general
provisions of the bill. Ii Is strike out of the tenth
section the words, Nor shall the lands or other
property Of non-resdents be taxed higher than the
lands or other property of residents"
presume that no person who has lived In the
western country, or in any of the Territories, has
failed to observe that it is great embarrassment
to the Territories, as soon as they began to pros
per and offer inducements to Settlers that the land
is bought up in patches and quantities--the best
land being bought by non-resldents for purposes OF
speculation. These non.residens get the benefit
of the labor Of the residents who improve the land.
The residents improve the land and increase Its
value Thus the value of the land Of the non
resident is increased. The Territories have had
no remedy by which to force these non-residents
to contribute their proportion for this. The OPP
Grafton Of the provision which now propose to
strike out has always been TO make residents really
pay great deal more than non residents. That
has been the practical operation Of it, for the resi-
dent is taxed on his labor, while the nonresident
has the value of his lands increased by the labor
of the resident The resident has the benefit
Of this, without contributing share of the bur-
den.
have not offered this amendment for the pur-
pose of entering into any discussion on it. l Of
fered this same amendment to the Oregon bill
! when il was under consideration. The Senate
did not then adopt il. | now offer the amendment,
that we may have vote of the Senate upon it.
| MIR. CLAY. think the amendment, if adopt
ed, would be in violation Of the uniform principle
and practice of the Government. As far as re-
collect, the Government has never made any dis
| elimination, in the imposition OF taxes, between
the lands Of residents and Of non-resdents. Ii is
very true, stated by the Senator from Wiscon-
sin, that there is some Inconvenience, some hard
ships, on the part of the residents. But he ought
to recollect that il the resident citizens bear the
principal part of the burden Of government, they
derive also the principal benefit of that govern
ment in the protection which it affords. The nom
resident only derives incidental advantages from
the government there.
There is one sort Of taxation to which the non.
resident is subject, and for which he receives no
benefit whatever. 1t is what is called the 60 road
tax" This is a tax which the non resident has
to pay, but from which he derives no benefit
The benefit is derived by those who travel over
| the road 1t is a great incon venence, to be sure
that large quantity Of land should remain unculu-
waited in the hands of persons residing abroad. If
we were to sanction this principle, however, it
might finally turn out that non-residents would
have to bear the burden Of taxation altogether.
The advantages which the nonresident derives
are altogether incidental and Indirect, and think
he ought not to be taxed for these more than the
resident is for his direct and positive advantages.
Upon the whole, therefore, without trespassng on
the time of the Senate, think that we had better
adhere to the uniform practice Of the Government
on the subject.
The question then being taken on the amend
ment it was not agreed to.
Other amendments were offered and discussed
until halfpast three o'clock; Of which report will
be given hereafter.
Several Senators submitted amendments, which
they will hereafter offer, that they might be print
ed, which was ordered.
The Senate then proceeded to executive bust
ness and after some time spent therein, the Senate
adjourned.