Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-08-24
The ..Crowbarn of 1s1e.-

Weecopy fthe following paragraphs from the
letter of Mr.. MEANS, Of Jefferson county, who
was member of the last Legislature, upon the
subject of the Tax Law ,..
So much has been said upon the subject of
crowbar laws of late, and such persevering efforts
have been made to bring them into disrepute in
certain quarters, that feel constrained to to
an early passage in their history in Ohio. Many
good natured people in this State, who are ignor-
ant of the history of the State prior to their own
recollection, and outside of the range of their own
observation, will be surprised to learn, perhaps,
that crowbar remedies against Banks, for the col
lection of the State revenue are not the invention
of the last "Locofoco Assembly, or even that
lower set of dabolical spirits, who are still less
entitled hope, to the enjoyment of their respect.
The first "crowbar'' law that ever enacted in
Ohio, was drawn up by the pen of the late Charles
Hammond, who was Whig of the deepest dye,
and lawyer of distinguished ability. 1t had the
honor also, in the hour of its paternity to receive
the scanction and vndication of the late William
Henry Harrison, who was so much idolized by the
Wings of Ohio, in an able and interesting report,
which cannot refrain from recommending to the
perusal, of the school of politicians which has
grown up in that party in this State. If mistake
not Mr.. Hammond represented Jefferson county
in the Assembly at that time. If so am proud
to say that followed, even 'afar off, in the path
of one, the memory of whose talents and learning,
in the profession to which belong, I so much ad-
mire and revere. The fourth section of this law,
Chase II, 1913, provided that the person appoint
ed to collect the taxes should proceed to the Bank
and demand the taxes due. The fifth section pro-
vided, that
ssThe person entering such Banks after demand
and refusal of the payment of the tax aforesaid if
he cannot find in the banking room any money,
bank notes, goods, chattles, other property Of
said Banks, or individual, company or association,
whereon to levy to satisfy the tax aforesaid, ii
shall and may be lawful, and it is hereby made the
duty of such person to 60 into each and any other
room or vault of such banking house, and every
closet, box, chest drawer in such banking house
to open and search; and any other money, bank
notes or other goods and chattles, the property o
said Bank or individual, company association
therein deposited thereon to levy, or so much as
will satisfy the tax aforesaid agreeably to the
fourth section of this act.'
" Such were some of the provisions of the law
of February g. 1819 for the collection of the taxes
, of reluctant PAYERS. The Assembly of 1852 die
not use the same language in their law, but coult
have plead noble precedent for its use. The
Assembly of 1919 only wished to enforce the law
against such Banks subjected to definite
specific tax. That of 1862 knew no favoritism-
basing it's conduct on the equitable provisions o
the New Constitution it taxed all Banks and Bank
ers alike, and subjects all to precisely the sam
penalties against REFUSAL