Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-01-05

the policy pursued By the last Legislature, in re-
/ Iation to premiums on charters, and other finan-
cial measures be authorized and continued
| Should such he the case, the above sum, at the
! present rates, would exGnguish upwards of four
/ hundred thousand dollars of the funded debt
during the present fiscal year. The sources from
which the sinking fund is supplied must necessa-
rily increase. The tax on collateral inheritance,
and on theatre, circus and menagerie licenses,
prior to the act creating sinking fund, yielded
to the Treasury about the sum of S4500O annu-
ally BY the provisions of that act, these have
been increased TO the sums above stated, and the
other sources of revenue have been created oy
recommendations heretofore made to the Legs
lature.
With these means for the supply OF the SINK
ing fund together with such additions as the pro
bable resources of the Treasury, from lthe 10
time may Justify il is susceptible oil easy calcu-
/ laton TO determine how nearly approaches the
period when the State taxes may be repealed,
and the burthens of the people removed. 80
manifestlv important are these results upon the
Industrial pursuits of the citizens and the inter
ests and honor of the State, it is suggested for
consideration whether good policy would not
require the transfer of all balances in the Treas
ury at the end of each year TO the Commissioners
of the said Fund.
Every consideration that can impose itself on
/ a government demands the payment OF the public
debt. The local advantages of cur Common
wealth the salubrIty of our climate-the vast
ness of our mineral deposites--the fertility of
our soil, and the prosperity and happiness Of the
people, alike require the repeal of a system Of
laws, which compel igration-preyent the
settlement of uncutivated lands-driye capital
from our borders, and paralyze the industry of
/ every class of our citizens Should these bal
. ances remain in the Treasury unappropriated to
the said Fund, the history of the past VIII remind
that prodigal expenditures will be made to
objects of diminished Importance.
The subject of the revision and equalization
of the laws for raising revenue, is again earnest
/ ly pressed upon the attention of the Legislature
Great injustice arises under existing enactmeuts
from the want of adequate means TO prevent OF
to punish individuals making false returns pro-
peTty subject 10 taxation. The conscientious
citizen, sCrupulously exact in the performance
of his obligations to society may well complain
of laws which suffer the dishonest to elude with
impunity the payment of equitable share of
the public burthens. The tax on bonds, mort
cages, and moneys at interest, is assessed so un-
equally that great reason for complaint exists
throughout the State. To remedy to some extent
this evil, it would be well to require the Prothon-
otaries Of the several counties, to collect from
the Plaintiffs in Judgments the tax thereon as
sessed, and if necessary to compel payment by
! legal process allowing TO the officer entrusted
with this dHty a reasonable compensation to be
paid, where the payment Of the tax is made
voluntarily, out of the fund, and by the Plaintiff
when the payment has been compelled by legal
process. similar provision with regard to
mortgages, giving the Recorder the authority be-
fore stated IN re alton to Judgments, would en-
brace these two intems of taxation, and would
doubtless compel the payment of a large amount
Of revenue, now fraudulenty withheld.
The laws subjecting to tax the commissions
issued to officers of this Commonwealth, should
be extended TO embrace commissions to non-res-
dents. The justice of taxing the citizens of the
State, and OF permitting non-residents who hold
commissions under the government 10 enjoy the
emoluments free from taxation, cannot readily
be perceived
No efiectual mode has been devised to compel
the agents of Foreign Insurance companies to
make a semi-annual exhibit of the amount of
funds employed by their respective companies
within this Commonwealth. A law having an
effect Of this character is highly necessary, and
would be productive Of decided advantage la
the enactment Of such law, it would be well
to make the certificates issued TO agents Of said
companies subject to taxation.
Incorporated companies Of various kinds, de
irving their charters elsewhere, have agencies IN
the State and transact business therein, and vet
no accurate account is taken Of the money en-
ployed, Of the value or profits Of their invest
ments. Were the proper departments required
to make list Of the interpretations, and author
lty given to ascertain the amount of the invest
/ ments, the rate of dividends declared or the
profits made, and a tax was levied on such divi-
T
. employed, a large revenue 10 the Commonwealth
would bc the result
While money borrowed by citizens, boroughs.
and incorporated districts is subject by existing
laws 10 taxation, II is not perceived why money
borrowed by incorporated companies should be
exempt from similar assessment. To make an
equitable distribution of the public burthens,
should be the especial object of the Legislature,
and care should be taken that no exemption
should be allowed to any class of citizens over
another, where the property employed is the
same. Attention to the foregoing objects Of tax
alton viii not only increase the revenue, but is
demanded alike by justice and sound policy.
Next in Importance to the public debt, and the
eqaization Of the taxes, is the management of
the public Improvements. The vast Expenditures
annually made for the repair and supcryisioa of
these works, aud the amount Of revenue derived
therefrom, so materially eiiccting the condition
OF the Treasury, render them objects of peculiar
interest. 1t is believed that an increased amount
of nett revenue should be derived from these
works. The enormous appropriations of the last
year for their maintenance in repairs, and to-
wards the payment Of debts heretofore contract
ed, should have placed them III a sound condi-
ton, and would authorize the conclusion that a
small expenditure during the present season
would be sufficient. In the absence of the report
OF the canal Commissioners, no specific amount
for these objects can be given by the Executive
The system for the management Of these I'M
provemcnts invites unnecessary expenditures
and removes responsibility from the proper de-
partment. We're the number of Canal Commits
sioners increased TO five; the State divided into
districts for the election and supervision Of each
Commissioner; the direct and immediate charge
and control of the district imposed upon one of
these officers, requiring Of him the performance
OF the duties now exccnted by superintendent
and supervisors, and atipuIatng for the annual
alienation of the said Commissioners much
practical information OF interest to the State
would be acquired direct responsibility for
the we'll ordered condition Of the Public Works
aud the economy of expenses would be secured
and the large discretionary powers now vested
III superintendents and supervisors, in the adop-
ton Of plans and pay ment of money for repairs
would be placed in officers directly accountable
to the people. In relation to this subject, legis-