Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-05-11

(WltnOut making large CLASS OF citiZenS liars,
whose word cannot be taken in a small pecuni-
airy transaction, and our supervisors perurers,
who will shut their eyes to such dishonest con-
ceaIment Should the taxable property of the
State be doubled, or even ;rebed, it would not
follow by any means, that the half or two thirds
Of the property of the State has hitherto been
concealed from taxation. Under The present
law, property must be estimated at higher
rate than heretofore, and much of the increase
in value will come from this source. m
Question 6. as the attainment Of such an
end a frivolous matter?" ,0
Answer We certainly think It's, in the sense
in which Paey uses the term. If the State
finds in some instances by such means, property
in the hands of its citizens which is liable to
taxation, and thereby makes a close approxima-
ton to equal taxation, at the expense of un-
necessarily bunting and weakening the moral
SENSE of all its citizens with regard to the
weight and solemnity of an oath, we think the
object attained is frivolous, compared with its
cost 1t is never very good policy to trade NOR
ais for money, and to tell the truth, we don't
believe that we, the people of Michigan, have
any morals to spare either for love or money.
You say We think it more important to tax
the rich mans gold than the poor mans rags"
Now we hope that the poor men who are so
unfortunate as to have nothing but rags to be
taxed will not think us anti-democratic, or anti
"poor men," if we say that ace don't think So
We think it just as Important not more so.
We know enough Of "poor mems" feelings, to
believe that they don't ask rich men to pay their
fare through this vale of tears for them: if the
rich men will bear their just share of the pub
lie burdens, without shrinking or sneakng, we
guarantee that the poor men will bear theirs
cheerfully.
Question 7. Is it meant to be asserted that
all the assessors of Michigan up to the present
year have been guilty of perjuryY"
We don't like to answer that question, but
beg leave to refer you to Hon. John Swegles
of Lansing and his ExcclIency Ex-Governor
McClelland, two competent witnesses who have
examined the dongs of these men with some
little care and attention. We can only say
that there are some hard reports in circulation,
with regard TO the manner in which their off,
cial duties have been performed Cor rather
avoided)
With regard to perjury in the State of Ohio,
we do not know whether there have been more
false oaths taken since the adoption of their
present tax law, than before We hardly think
that you will hazard the assertion that no false
swearing has been committed under the provs-
ions of this law, even in our own State. We
can only say, that if we had twenty-five dollars
at issue in law suit, we would not like to have
witness brought up against u.s. who was in
the habit of swearing to a thing more or less
accurately"
Question 8. "What end would be gained by
taxing the public buildings at Lansing!"
Answer. This end would be gained: county
and town taxes would be more nearly equaized.
We have been informed by residents of the
county Of Ingham, that great and undue pro-
portion of their current county expenses are
made by the township Of Lansing, and that the
eastern and southern parts of tho county CON-
plain bitterly of the heavy taxes they obliged
pay on thataccount for whichso far as the State
is concerned, they get no returns. If the State
paid the county of Ingham and the township of
Lansing their pro rata share of the expense of
maintaining police regulations for the protec-
ton of their property in common with others,
they would perform simple act of justice,
which would be very desirable end"
We must confess that we do not see the pro-
priety of considering the protection of a mans
reputation, matter distinct from, and not COM
pretended under the general head of personal
protection. You might rs well talk of protect
ing and taxing mans health, and perhaps you
might still better talk of protecting his toes,
particularly in cold weather. Health, and toes
both have, I" in most cases, value in pecuni-
ary point Of view" However, if such crude
and i'll digested laws are hereafter to 60 to the
public as specimens of our Legislative ability, it
would be very proper to tax what little "repu-
tation" there is among our people and have it
collected like tithes, in kind, to be applied as
pasters to patch out our State reputation.
Do you mean that we shall understand that
schoool-houses and school.chidren are Stale
propertv. and that school district is only "ful-