Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-07-06
For the standard.
SHOULD WIDOWS PAY srAxs

SfiOUED8 WIDOWS& PAL TAX : sast s.
Afk. ED,ToR had occasion few days seo 10
yisi. The house Of widow lady. between my and
sixty years old. remark able for economy and Perse
verance. She has around her some I'm OF Twelve
thousand dollars worth Of lands and Regroes, but
with all barely makes com Portable living. During
my visit she remarked that she had not vel pad her
taxes, and continued by saying that though the sum
was not very large, no one knew what a burden u
was 10 hef-it required money, at stated ume' oe.s
II occurred to me, while she spoke, for the first time
in my life, that tcidOos sO1sid mol be required to pay
TAR therefore take the negative of query obove sub
United, and for the following reasons: /. The lim-
itation of their civil privileges. Now, do not ad-
vocae extension of these privileges, not at all
but insist upon correspondence of duties. You
know. Mr.. Editor. that We Americans very great
sticklers for representation where taxation,
and rice versa deny the right of taxation without rep
resentaiion. Now, sir, cannot see that we not
constantly violating this sacred principle theoretically
dear every American heart, by taxing widows
Are they represented in the halls of our legislature |?
Ii so, how Am told that their taxes form part Of
the aggregate of senatorial constituency. Suppose
they do; the question still recurs hOtO they be
represented by those t0hOse appointment they hare
UOtce? Now, IT does seem to me, sir, that the only
way by which any can become legally and prop
erY my representative, is by my oIDn appointment.
know that it is times the that in matters
CT trihing moment, one person voluntarily assumes
the representation Of another, in which case he is
uniformly styled selfconstiued, and his acts are
sumed constituent But for third party to appoint
for representative, involves course of pro-
ceeding which believe is never adopted except in
cases of minority or idioicy. And as it is not allied
81 ged OF widows generally that they either
idiOs. it is certainly improper them such.
Ii then widows represented, the question again
recurs, UhO appoints them representatives 1t will
be pretended that they appoint them themselves,
nor il be maintained that any else has the
authority to appoint them FIR them. If, therefore,
they do not appoint their own representatives. and
others have not the authority TO appoint for them, il
follows that they either not represented at all,
else illegally represented Again, it is conceded
that they have no voice in the appointment of rep
Fesentatives, and set of men, pretend TO
appoint for them, it follows that they repre-
sented. Once more: Since it is shown tina: widows
are not represented in the Legislature of North Caro-
lima, and are, nevertheless, required to pay equal
es with the voters OF The State, it follows that they
have the cause to complain of tyranny and op-
, preston which drove forefathers to deny ALE
" glance TO the British crown
2. l contend that widows should not be taxed, in
! the second place, because of their hepLessness.
Really, Mr.. Editor the more l mediate upon the
subject, the more nearly do approach the concu-
sion that it is positively ridiculous for US, men, te
ask, much more to force, helpless females aid u.s.
PecHnlarily, TO support goveTnment-to help US build
railroads and clean out rivers. Why this is clearly
masculine work. and should certainly be performed
l.. exclusively by males.
e Ii widows support themselves and avoid being a
burden to the public ought to think they do re-
maTkably we'll, fer, consider the condition an which
s widow is left. Having been accustomed, from the
time that she left the paterna root. to look with
ndence TO her husband Tor protection and support;
: all her having been supplied by the me:e
: expression of her will, perhaps in majority OF
= cases. anticipated by her faithful companion; never
aIing relied on her exertions for any thing,
suddenly deprived of her protector, her support, her
entire earthly reliance, her only hope, her all in ALL
and left broken hearted, Ssconsolate, and without
3 experience, contend with the rough uncharitabe
world for living for herself and perhaps number
of helpless orphans. And We, heartless men, have
: more nagnanimty than to take from them part
E of that living to help US support government!
Knowing your horror of long articles, Mr.. Editor,
submit the subject for the present, with the hope
: that you will favor with your views.
5 Very respectfully yours,
g TIE WIDOWS FRIEND.