The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-08-14
SPEECH OF COL. 8IGLER.
AT the Delaware County Conve

At the Delaware County Convention.
After the meeting was organized Col.
William Bieler the Democratic candidate
for Governor was introduced and addressed
the meeting.
The speaker announced his address with
many happy illusions 10 the "reminiscences
Of the county in which the meeting was
| held, and referred particularly 10 the scenes
enacted at Brandywine, Paoli, and Valley
Forge, contrasting the early history of those
memorable spots with the present day, when
everything around appeared like happiness
and contentment. He congratulated the
people upon the success with which their
efIolts to increase their stores during the
past year had been crowned, and asked to
be allowed to join his humble voice with
theirs in offering up thanks 10 generous
Providence for the rich bonnties bestowed
upon them. The rext allusion was the re-
lation in which he stood 10 the assembled
mass before liim-,hat Of free, enlightened
and happy people and in this connection
dwelt somewhat upon the right OF suffrage,
exhibiting the importance, on the part of
every man, of the exercise of this high pre-
rogalive.
The finances OF the Commonwealth, from
1882 up 10 the present time, then claimed
The attention of the meeting, and the speak
er, as he expressed IT, Showed most con-
clusiyely that the measures from which the
revenue is derived TO pay the interests on
the State debt were In existence before the
present administration came into power"
He sald "that one of the great errors
committed at the time our system of inter-
nal Improvements was commenced, consist
ed in borrowing money TO pay the interests
on our loans, instead of assessing tax suf-
fcient TO have answered that purpose-such
a measure would have attracted the atten-
lion of the people, and greater degree of
economy, prudence and accountability,
would have been exercised. The first state
tax of one mill, was assessed in 1882, and
remained in force until the adoption of the
bill 10 release the people from taxation, and
tie re-charter of the United States Bank
The whole receipts in that length of time
did not much exceed Sl,ooo,ooo, while the
interest on the public loans exceeded Sc, ,0oo,-
ooo 1t will thus be seen how inadequate
this tax was, and how unwise it was repeal
instead OF adding 10 the rate OF taxation.
This was certainly one of the most fatal
movements for the prosperity OF tire srasv;
thai was ever adopted.
ain 1888 and '39, number of exonera-
tions were made, but no taxes assessed. In
1910, tax Of ore mill or real and personal
estate, and small tax on bank stock, on
bonds, mortgages, salaries, emoluments OF
office, and oiher personal property was as
sessed, but this proved very inefficient
measure. In 1871, the famous Relief Act
wac passed. This bill attempted 10 originate
wealth and means, by large declarations
one OF those unfortunate measures which
never fails 10 mislead the public mind, and
greatly aggravale the disease which it al
templs TO cure. This bill also slightly m
creased some Of the rates adopted in the
act of 1910, but the alteration was attended
with very meagre increase TO the revenue.
In 1912, a tax Of one mill in addition 10 The
former rate, was adopted, making in all, two
mills, with some unimportant modification
Of former laws on the subject. There was
no change of any moment during 1913, but
in 1914, the measure Of finance adopted was
the three mill tax on real and personal es-
tate, bank capital corporation stocks, or
bonds and mortgages, on money at interest,
and on carriages, &C., one per cent, and the
provision made for board Of Revenue
Commissioners. In Isi5, an act was pass
ed 10 increase the revenue and diminish the
[ expenses Of the commonwealth. This i'm
posed tax on The enrolment of private acts
of legislation, bank charters, manufacturing
companies, new counties, divorce bills, and
other special Legislation, as well as theatre
cal and public exhibitions of every descrip-
ton, eating houses, the public loans of the
State, besides appointing mercantile ap-
praisers. This combination did much to-
wards aiding the public treasury, and the
influence was felt perceptibly. In 1916, an
act to perfect the former laws was adopted,
and TO regulate the mode and manner of
! ,sessment and collection loans and
sock-the interest Of which is guaran-
iced by the commonwealth, taxing all
retailers liable to a tax, and license fees,
/ awarded the duties Of mercantile appraisers,
increasing coiia,eilssll inheritance tax, increas-
| ing auction duties, SC. Ins was very
i'm 2ortant bill, and viewed in its various
bearings and tendencies, has done much TO
add 10 the resources of the treasury. In
1s47 and '4s, the changes in the revenue
laws of Pennsylvania were unimportart.
In 1870, the tax on bank dividends was al
tered, premium on charters charged, and
the manner Of collecting the collateral in
heritance tax was also changed. In 1850,
not single new item Of revenue was adop.
ted.
"The Sinking Fund, about which SO much
has been said, is an old topic. 1t was sug-
gested by Gpg. Porter and Gov. Skunk, re-
commended by Col. Snowden, while State
Treasurer, who had the boldness TO say how
! money could be raised, and bill similar to
the one now in operation was reported in
the Legislature in ls45 by Mr.. Burrell Be.
sides this, if my recollection serves me
right, had the honor upon one or two occa.
sions Of presenting such proposition. The
n