The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-03-26
For the Shirt of Demnc

in Convention, on the subject Of the taxa
ton of corporations The newspapers
have altogether misled you. They have
taken no pains to be exact. lnever felt or
expressed any unwillingness to tax the
property Of corporations as heavily as that
Of individuals. Let the naked facts be sub
mitted to candid public. The following
provision was reported by the committee on
corporations at an early day: "The prop
erty ofcorporotions shall forever be subject
TO taxation the same as the property of in.
dividuals." This provision was substan.
TALLY contained in to or three reports, was
before us for weeks, and if any man felt or
expressed opposition to it, was not that
man. On the contrary would have con-
sented 10 NOTHING else. But when this re-
port, after passing through committee of
the whole, was brought up for considera-
tion in the House, with view to its en-
grossment, Ranney, Of Trumbull, sudden
ly arose and moved an amendment, to add
the words "now existing or hereafter ere.
ated," after the word corporations, which
is the present provision. lie supported his
amendment by speech of two or three
minutes. Then Judge Ceilings OF Adams,
moderate whig, and man Of known
candor, probity and discretion, arose in
great agitation and warned us that we were
putting our constitution in danger, that as
the amendment was in terms retroactive,
it would drive tho whole whig party into
opposition, that he could give his support
to the constitution, if this amen dment fail.
ed, but if it was adopted, he and every
other whig would be driven into the most
determined opposition. His speech occu-
pied probably seven or eight minutes. So
tn at had about ten minutes to decide a
question, which might in its consequences,
involve the life or death OF the new con-
stitution. The new constitution then, con-
tanned provisions since then prudently ex.
plunged, that were calculated to insure the
hostility of THOUSANDS and TENS Of THoys.
ANDs. 1t had weight enough to carry. II
any man had or has a right 10 be little
anxious, little nervous, about the adop-
ton Of the instrument, am that man,
was the first champion of the new const-
tuition. For two whole years in tho midst
of opposition, abuse and misrepresenta-
ton, contended for it, when no man was
bold enough to join me in the argument.
Gentlemen did not then know that the mat
ter was going to be popular. The remarks
Of Judge Ceilings both impressed and
alarmed me. And under the influence of
that feeling of alarm, arose to make a
few remarks, placing the matter on this
special ground alone of danger to the in
strument, and OF course must vote in
accordance with my argument. Ranney's
amendmentrelated to banks chiefly, if not
exclusively. And feel bound in candor
to say that | have never regarded the spe-
cial mode of taxation provided in their
charter, as OF the essence of the contract.
have voted in the General Assembly to
tax them the same as other property, and
| expressly told the convention that Mr..
Rannev's amendneet would make the in
strument none the less acceptable to me.
but merely advised them to yield something
TO the scruples of our fellow citizens.
After the constitution had been relieved |
Of some Of its weights, was appointed
chirman of the select committee on bank
taxation. If had expressed any general
opposition to taxing banks as heavily as
other pl ploperty, is ito be supposed that l
could have been appointed chairman of
such committee, or that | could have
been placed on such committee at all!
By that time perceived that some essen
tal features of the instrument had been
changed, so that opposition was giving
way, or if continued was less to be dread
ed. accordingly reported the following
as a provision for bank taxation; "The
General Assembly shall provide by law for
taxing the property, capital, moneys,
rights, credits and EFFECTS of all bankers
and banks now or herafter existing in this
State, so that the same shall bear burthen
Of taxation equal to that imposed upon the
same amount OF property, capital, mon
eys, rights, credits and effects belonging
10 individuals" q quote from memory
only.) This is the provision substant-
ally adopted, with mere change OF words;
and gentlemen. who will examine, for
the third section ofthe twelfth
article can determine whether the verbal
change is for the better or worse.
But ifI had ever expressed any hostility
o the general doctrine of taxing corpora
ions, as heavily as individuals, with what
ace could have made such proposition
Is that above statedl The truth is these
amendments are sprung upon members
md must be decided in twinkling. The
Ease is not like that Of reports of commit
ees, which are laid before members, in
lme TO allow them several days for con-
investigation and reflection. A
wifi and sudden judgment must be made
up and even error or inadvertence might
,e excused in such cases. But it can now
lever be determined which side erred,
hose who thought that Mr.. Ranney's a.
endanger the instrument