Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-27
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TAXATION ufn Us Sf5ahd tnat tne n'Sh price VI COL
ton raises the price OF his negroes.
Mr. cHAMb,iss i should be glad if tho gentle
man would stats whss would be the per oentsgs of the
tar raised on s,ayes W she ad paorem system How
much without ran:ns Sr tax particle on other KINGS
of property Lls increase per ccntage OF tSa
ton on the slaSvs vi tno State
AIr ANDERSON That would depend on the value
Of the negroes 10 FAXED.
Mr. CHAMBLlss Valung them as they arc at pre-
sent.
Mir. ANDERSON. have not the means of ascer-
tanning the nrgIoes now taxed IL IS proposed
to exempt believe all under twelve years Of age, and
all the old negroes who arc not now taxed. So that
will be taxed except such as are subject to taxa
ton under the present system All that have to say
is that if the higher under the ad raorem system
than it is it proves this fact that you who
camorous about the taxation negroes have been
ing the least tax of any portion of the community
have not examined the subject with view of ascertain
ing what effect it will have in special cases. am con-
tent with paying my equal share of taxes according t.
the value Of my property including negroes well ai
any other property, and think every good citizen ought
to be willing to do thesa And repeat. il it should
be ascertained on fair valuation If the negroes tht
the aggregate amount of taxation will be Increased II
would only demonstrate the fact that the
heretofore have been paying too little tax should
like to know on what principle gentlemen would con-
tend that slaves should be taxed lower than land
eordng to the value Is not slave property much
convertible into money! Is 1t not much more profitable
than lands What proportion of the lands of the com
monwealth really tit for cutivatlonf II you 80 tc
the west perhaps three-ourths of the land is still
numbered BY its native forest and is not IN state
cultivation If you to the east you will find that
large portion of them not fit for cultivation. Yet
every landhoder bound to pay tax on his land ac-
sordng its value and TO, my life cannot sec why
the STAKEHOLDER should not lie taxed the same prn
cps think there is system 80 just and so equa-
BE as the ad valoraa system am willing to discrim
nate when can be satisfied that the property will yield
nothing if YOU will make that principle applicable all
descriptions of property. but all property which yield
profit ought to be taxed according to its value That
Is principle which will always mantan and it is one
in my opinion which gives certain guarantee the
STAKEHOLDER against just taxation. l, save-hod
er want no better protection than that.
The gentleman says that these guarantee. are worth
nothing he said that they We're not worth the parch
ment upon which they were written would like to
learn from that learned gentleman what is your cent?
tuition worth Is it composed of anything than
puarantiesl What is it worth if these guarantees are
and integrity OF the people of Virginia than believe
that they will not be governed and controlled BY an,
guarantee which may be inserted in your constitution
believed the people of Virginia were so far degrad
sd-so far lost to all sense of moral obligation not
be governed BY the plain restrictions in their consttu
ton would longer be willing to call myself Vir-
ginian Yes sir, l should be disposed 10 leave the
State. As much as love this old commonwealth,
should forever repudate her consider it calumn.
apon the people of Virginia to say that they woult
not be governed BY any constitutional provision what
which may be inserted But, sir, We were charged
by the gentleman from Fauquer who first addressed the
committee (Sir. Scorr}-
Mr.. EDMUNDS. Will the gentleman from Bote
tourt permit to interrupt him for moment de-
sire to know whether he a.ludes to me to my col
league
Mr.. ANDERSON. understood you sir, (Mr E) to
use the language to which have referred.
Mr.. EDMUNDS The gentleman is mistaken in this
It was my coeage who usedth Language he has quoted
1t for this reason that made the interruption
hope the gentleman will discriminate between us.
Mr. PURKINS. suppose the gentleman audes To
my remarks If that gentleman had paid as strct at.
teation to my remarks he seems to be anxious to
be severe in commenting upon them, he would hay,
learned that the question he has propounded fully
and amply and conclusvely answered at the point
when made the declaration | never said that guar
antics were worth nothing did, however, say that
any limit which the Convention may incorporate into
the constitution upon the appropriang power of the
legislature, be rendered efficient must not only BE-
written in that constitution but there must be power
by representation and majority of representation to
enforce that guarantee and to prevent it from hereafter
being stricken from the constitution.
Mr. ANDERSON. Certainly. understand the gen.
tleman And before proceed further wish to be d;s.
ITCHY understood-as the gentleman said seemed t.
be disposed to be severe-that do not anything
personal hope the gentleman SO understood me-
Mr. PURKINs Certainly. did not understand
the gentleman as intending to be personal intended
before took my scat to have called the attention Q!
the gentleman to expression he used in connection
with this subject that he regarded calumny upon
the people of Virginia did not understand the gen.
eman intending anything personal or should have
resented it.
Mr. ANDERSON. did use the expression that
~,
people of Virginia. and must be permitted to repeat
It without intending to be in the least offensive to those
who may have expressed it. have doubt gentlemen
are honest in their opinions but think they do very
great injustice to the people of Virginia in entertaining
end expressing it.
But taking taking the gsntemans remarks IN the form to
which he has modified them and it does not the
proposition. What is the propostoul Unless you
give to the people of eastern Virginia, aority I"
control the west the west are such rogues and robbcr
that they cannot be trusted. They will steal your
property-for every honest in western Virgina
will regard it as bad stealing, to impose unjus;
tax upon the east for the purpose of contributing the
interests of the west.
Mr. PURKINS. I would interrupt the gentleman
Mr. ANDERSON. Ihope the gentleman will not
interrupt me-
Mr. PURKINs. have been placed several time,
in position before this body which has been exceed
ingly painful to me- Gentlemen from the west in com
menting upon my remarks, have on one occasion.
charged me with calling them plunderers. The gen
teman from Botetourt (AIr. ASpEnsoS) would seen
to intimate that by the OF argument have
necessarily call them thieves and robbers hope NJ
eastern gentleman here at home, uttered, much
less conceived such sentiment in regard to my bret
# the west. perfectly satisfied with the
planation
Mr.. ANDERSON. The remarks " as making had
no reference whatever to to the gentleman from Hail
fax (Mr PURKrNs) did not then even recolect tina.
he had been charged with making such declarations.
made the remarks as natural deduction from the
course of argument the gentleman pursuing from
the position he took. And what is that positions Why
shat the western people cannot be trusted to perform
a solemn guarantee in this Consttnton-that If you give
them the power the majority in the Legislature, the,
will trample down all guarantees and restrictions tn,
constitution And for what For the purpose of secur
ing the property of the east and approprating it
their use. That is the argument. and pronounce
it calumny upon the people Of Virginia I do not be-
ieve there any portion Of the people of Virginia who
would be guilty of such conduct rs this do not be
lisve any state of society could ever exist in which
any portion of the people would be guilty of such
crime.
But will proceed with that branch of the subiec,
which was lust commencing to discuss when 7 WAS