Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-04-09

inyedns rule laid down by the Constitution 10 that OF
ing ell property m proportion 10 lis value In inmedi-
ale connection with This exception 10 the ad vaorcm
rule an exception O. part OF a class of properly,
and an Inhibition o any tax np"n the remainder pl
that class tie trainers OF Tins Constitution, as if 10
.ro ,hn there should be doubt in the minds of ary
as 10 The reason for The exception give power the Leris
la;ure 10 exempt other taxable property L., theD the
enpcn the o. slaves was maze Tor The reason given
what Is 10 govern YOU upon the question of any given
cmpon? You have the power, clearly, ny The Constitution;
and the simple question 10 be decided IN ms view - does
he exemption (bcng exception 10 inc general ruie
square with the exemption made by the Consutnlon and
tend To- rrotuce ,nual ard UNIFORM taxation? fon mus
adopt this rule. agree that Tie mere "ni hiu edec
Tie members cf he Legislature mus: IN oil cases osc an"
thus be without chart to guide and dec YOU APP! "S
2iincIrt ~ The amendment Of the gentleman ron
Gy the b!. il stands the crops OF the FARMER ana
planter are exempted from taxation The amendment pFo
poses 10 tax these arclcs-to labor directly ouch d
always ndons, but with particularly So he capl-
tai OF the farmer is taxed in your upon his lands slaves
and and though indeed owing peculiar inStl-
uon" labor ay be said 10 he taxed in this tax on slaves
capita anj 5or being here tremendously blended
that those lin ether c0mmunes) great antagonists work
together produce the best etects-tects shown IN the
feeling pe!v,dng all those sections blessed with slavery
AMI contrasting fiyorhby with other STATES oil the
confederation where this institution does not exist Yet
for this very reason labor directly as distinct from
capital il the unjust unequal and Ge'lang IN unoE-
mity HI! ri labor here is already taxed linen ne
capital whc. produces these agricultural products being
taxed the labor employed being taxed II equal ana uni
FORM 10 Law another upon The product and mus III e.
feet, twice tho farmer and planter when no oe CLASS
81 the community iaxed7 Again, by the twenty filth
section Of this article of the Constitution The GrncIdl
Assembly is inhibited when tax is le"ed upon IN
cou.eS salaries and licenses, from laying TAX on
property from which any income taxed 10 derived,
capita! invested in the ;radc business 10 which
the license is Issued What is The object Of this in
hbuu! Is il 10! 10 restrain the evying tax twice either
directly indirectly, upon The same property! Docs no
and the luc apply to ;tc proposed
amendment ard IT, as he conterds there he no direct ihh
biJn the proposed amendment in the constitution yet
go in the very teeth Of spirit o! that instrument in
pishiu, where The farmer planter is concerned
what yon could not do by The terms OF the constitution
where the owne! OF uncounea thousan-s, IN the
shape Of money IS the party upon whom the la" Is to oo
rate.
50 much sir fer The proposed amendment. Eu, in con
sidens This question: gentlemen have also considered ana
commented upon The exemption Of The head OF each ail-
IL" from taxation upon hundred dollars worth o perao-
nal prory, and object upon constitutional gonnaS, 10
this clause. Ii must be confessed that serious difficulties
surround The question; but difficulties which meet whatever
yiew lake the question On the hand II such
construction is given - the constitution as will inhlo Tie
legislature from eXcmPting from taxation any other Than
given specific species OF property tsuch horses for IN
s,anCc in opposition 10 The idea 0srXcmpng given value
nccdng several kinds Of property, so much the
power exemption render that power useless tor the
object for which il granted-whe the other hand,
il the opposing view is embraced, we can see the dangers
which threaten in the abuse OF the principle IN the
prostitution of the power, 10 exempt large cllsses
of the community from taxation and thus of necessity bur
den other cla.scs-a danger which gentlemen OF the West
have warned beware of For himself he those dan
gers and Dreaded Them, but his view be correct that The
contemplated by the Constitution the momen, that tins
pow used produce want Of equality and I'M
formity then such exemption is plainly CONTRARY 10 The
constitution aud is inhibited Tn. doubts which exist On
This subject and The great difficulties which surround il,
are shown the position oil his clear headed and accurate
friend from Nottoway. He tells you that he can take all
the other provisions OF this BILL doubtful he conccives
some Of them he but he has, he fears nsuperabe Difficult
ties with regard 10 this exemption OF heads OF families ana
yet sir the very clause OF this bill esempts farming IN
pemcns used for farming PURPOSES in other words, pro o.
" used by ard possession Of only one class-tarn
cs and succeeding clause exenPts property used anu
in possession only anoer class mechanics tools II these
ire constitutional exemptions why not tho exemption OF
properly in The hands of heads ot families also con-
stiruliona? While icsc difficulties present themselves
and induce us 10 hesitate in our course, yet, alr
Chairtrln, there duty in regard 10 which no
man can doubt AZ he eRdcuvored TO show on yescr-
day the state OF the treasury was euch as to De-
Inani immediate action. Ii IS clearly duty Ia pass
tax bill the of the treasury 10 Keep untarhlS
e the credit of the State. Fifteen days have already as-c
in debate this bill IN hie body after discussion o. 're
weeks elsewhere Each day which allow Ia pass without
rcid no adds the difficulty of coming 10 conclusion
and d.c!a.sng clear constitutional duty And, thefc-
fore under the necessities Of the case and npeled by
sense of public duty be considered himself bound not to
o,w doubts however serious those doubts might be, To-
prevent the passage o bill demanded by the condition oil
the teas.:ary and an uadoubted constitutional duty.