The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-05

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average existence as States was twenty-five years auu
Mr.. SUMNER. win the senator allog'me 10 Interrupt!
himl All this clearly had in view when ] presented
the estimates did. These were founded upon an as
sumed fact confirmed by the tables however, lhai me
average period during which the United States held lands
In is possesson after they surveyed and proclaim
ed is twenty-five years The average period, l say,
q twenty 1--WE wears And the estimate which | pre- |
senled was OF the value OF The immunity from taxation
attached certain quantity OF land, whether now sold
y Mr. yr'I UNDERWOOD. The average age Of the new
State governments is not alluded 10 in the speech, and the
very unfortunate in putting his average
OF twenty-five years that basis.
MIR. SUMNER. beg your pardon but | think you
will find II IS placed on proper basis
MIR. UNDERWOOD. No, sir can read il if desired
The speech puts the average OF twenty-five years, upon
the basis that OF the lands were in the market for
fifty years. and that it would be about right 10 take halt
that lime the average for the whole But il makes no
difference in the estimate and calculation whether the
twenty-five years assumed rests the basis the
other The real and proper inquiry is, il the States
ghuly tax public lands after they have been pro-
claimed for sale and not sold, how many remained
unsold after proclamation, subject TO State taxation
The genemans speech says that he will not make his
calculations upon the whole number OF acres within the
limits OF the twelve land States, but will make them only
upon the extent OF territory actually proclaimed for sale
from the beginning down 10 January, 1919, amounting 10
$50 96l 1854 acres" In another place the speech says
these 1883 96l 1854 proclaimed for sale have been
absolutely free from taxation during the space OF twenty
five years, and yet during this whole period have, with
out the ordinary consideration therefor enjoyed the pro-
value from highways, bridges, and schoolhouses all OF
which supported by the adjoining poprietors under
the laws OF the State, without assistance OF any kind
from the United States" Why, sir, the speech
hagrantly inconsistent with itself. 1t contains an
admission that than lU0000,000 of the
$50 96I,954 brought into market had been sold and
yet proceeds 10 calculate the amount OF taxes which
would have accrued during the whole time of the
tanned average OF the existence of the State
TO wit, twenty-five years-upon the whole 2S9,961 1854
acres without deductng single acre Tor the quantity
sold and all which liable TO State axaion in the
hands OF cZens Why. sir the gentleman had placed
his rule of calcuaiion-lo wit. his twenty five years
upon the basis OF the average age of the Sates then the
facts exhibited upon the face OF the speech would have
reuted his estimates and argument But arbitrarily
Stunning that the whole $50 96 1854 had been liable
to State taxation for twenty five years, without deductng
for the sales made. and assuming that "A
acre would be reasonable tax per annum he proceeds
with his calculation, and concludes that 1t would have
been equitable for this government TO pay tribute 10 the
States at the rate OF per annum, 475
for the whole twenty five years
He also speaks OF the :" increased value of lands
resulting from highways, bridges, and school houses
Does not the gentleman know that lands never in
crease in price We offer them at public auction shortly
after they are surveyed when they altogether unim
proved except by squater and thereafter they remain in
all coming time al The minimum price of 81 IS per
and all the bridges roads, and school houses that men
can build would not add cent TO the price OF the
lands The government does not get dollar in
sequence OF these Improvements
+ Ii the new States had a right to tax our public
lands, let US inquire what would have been "equa.
abte"-for discussing equitable considerations
entireyit being admitted that there is legal right
Now IT seems to me that the first principle of equitable
taxation is only to take much from the taxpayer is
necessary to keep the government well supplied, and
more If the government is organized by sufficient
number OF officers and they paid reasonably for their
services can any man ask more than that? Now, SIR
what does il cost TO support the government of these
twelve land States per annum! have made calcula
,ion based on liberal salaries, large number OF officers
and fact stated by the governor Wisconsin with ref.
10 the wanted for that State for the present
year The governor says that for all purposes during
the lU9 will be n
the government OF Wisconsin. That amount will be
large and ample allowance for the civil list OF the
States, will appear the satisfaction of every mind
that will examine the subject in detail To induce such
examination | will present ouhl that propose for
the governmental purposes OF new State! For gov
ernor, $1,000 salary; secretary OF State and clerk,
$1,000; four appellate judges, IS ,000 fifteen circuit
Judges, S22500 sevenyfve county judges 81 50o and
fees the business done be paid by parties one
hundred and twenty Legislators and their clerks sergeant
alarms, doorkeeper, &c, $4,000; attorney general,
$1,000; fifteen circuit attorneys, $4,000 seventy
county attorneys, 1880 auditor and clerks, 81 900
and clerks, $4,000. The land States want
register OF the land Office because they have lands
to grant Thus sir, the aggregate OF these various items,
embracing the entire civil list OF State government just
entering upon its career upon liberal scale amounts
10 S94 800 and no But, sir, willing TO allow
the wanted by the governor Of Wisconsin for the
present year. and throw ~ 900 more for contingent
cies and thus concede that, If TO be taxed each
new State shall have out oil the national treasury
yearly.
Mr.. SUMNER. Willihe senator allow me 10 ask him
whether his estimate embraces anything more than sim.
Pile State taxi should like to have him state whether
II includes The county taxes, the for roads, the
by which the trial by jury carried into operation
the taxes for schools, and the like | understand him
TO refer merely 10 the civil list which is the smallest po
ton OF The tax upon The people OF State.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. The outfit presented does not
include county for roads, schools &c should
think that the counties by their capation tax ought 10
pay the county charges And unless you intend TO levy
all the expenses OF the population OF each county upon
the property OF the United States, think ought to
have quicfu,, when pay much the governor OF
Wisconsin asks, and 81 900 besides But lei go
The senator will be perfectly satisfied before get through
that have been liberal in the extreme, and allowed for
everything that a Shylock would demand
Mr.. BORLAND. Will the senator allow me 10 say
that in my State and think in many other States,
the county tax is often greater than the State tax in
many particulars IN the tablet In my State the upon
land IL onelith oil one per cent and the minimum vau
alton OF the land throughout the State is 81 per acrethe
average valuation being 20 per The county tax al
the time is fourth OF per cent and in sew
era counties much one-half OF per cent AID
ding the Two together, it makes the tax upon me land
about two three per that in making the
estimate il is necessary 10 add in the county tax. Ia
king my State basis OF calculations you would have
to pay S150.0O0 more TO make out the whole amount
MIR. UNDERWOOD We will come 10 the whole oil
il IN due tme-cOunty well State tax-li can be
permitted gel along When my mind has prepared its
train OF thought, wish take up and proceed in the
order have laid out the work, and III other way.
do not command the caves OF Eolus. cannot start
whrwind like minds, and blow in every direction
al the same time. must continue 10 move forward in
systematic straight line at my slow pace. ! will
come TO county taxation before am done | am con-
sderpg State taxation for the present. and beg
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