Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1854-01-13

The Railroad Tax,

II
" The citizens of Wapsinonock township are
among the best, most intelligent and veal.
thiest Of this county; yet they are just now
exhibiting perversity for which we are
able t0invent neither excuse nor palliation.
Their intelligence should keep them even
with the times, and save them from pre-
senting the spectacle of a community iso-
| lated by the narrowness of its views, and
its members bearing about with them ideas
covered with the mould and rust Of half a
| century.
Their wealth should prevent them from op-
posing their own interests with such blind
and suicidal zeal.
II You say the tax is why?--
because the road will not 60 by each indi-
vidual mans door? Name an improvement
anywhere, if you can, that benefits every
man alike. When you say that it is Gun
just and ssunequal,, do you mean that it
will benefit Muscatine ind not you? Con-
slider this moment. If these railroads are
built, Muscatine in few years will have
$4,000 inhabitants. There will then be
three mouths TO feed where there is one now.
Will this increased demand fer your pro-
duce be no benefit to you2 Why is land
worth $500 an acre several miles from ST.
Louis? 1t is because purchasers can be had
at that price. Why can purchasers be had
at that price? Because ON that land Git is no
richer than yours) the chances for becoming
wealthy are so large. Why's Because in
St. Louis there arc hundred thousand
mouths to feed.
IF Muscatine increases in wealth and pop
ulation, there will be manufactures set up,
and your plows and wagons, and everything
you use on your farms being made right here
athome will be cheaper. Facility of trans
portation and competition in business will
reduce the prices of the goods you have to
buy. Increase of prosperity will bring in
crease Of capital, and money will circulate
more freely. Will all these things be Of no
benefit to you? What is a paltry dollar or
two of railroad tax, compared with such re-
suits?
You dcnounce the tax as an ssencroach-
ment Of the ma ority.' Doy>u want to Sc,
up principle that will stop the wheels of
government? to substitute confusion for or.
der? anarchy for good government?
Suppose q school tax were levied, and
some individuals should conceive themselves
not benefited thereby, would they not have
an equal right with you to term school tax
an ''encroachment of the majority'"
Here follow your resolutions, which we
publish and send back to you for your
re.perusll and reconsideration
Pursuant to public notice a number of the citizens
of WapsHonock township net in the school-house in
West Liberty january 7th. 81, to devise measures
TO protect themselves against the enctoachments OF
the majority.
ON motion Enoch Lewis was called to the Chair
o ID VIM w. Waters appointed Secretary.
Resolved, That committee of three be appointed
to draft preamble and resolutions expressing the
sense of this meeting,
Who reported that
WHEREAS, We have learned from good authority
that road tax has been levied for the purpose OF
constructing railroad railroads. and that we are
required to pay the same Immediately, (beng opposed
to paying tax for such purposes, considering ille
gal. unjust, unequal and uncalled for) therefore
Resolved Unanimously That We will resist the
payment Of said tax by all honorable and just means,
considering such resistance not only no crime but
duty and will only pay the same when compelled by
law.
Resolved, That an Executive Committee Of three
appointed with authority and mcans~t0carry out the
wishes Of the meeting and to call subsequent meetings
when necessary.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be
offered by the Secretary to the Mnscatinc papers for
publication.
Meeting adjourned sire die.
ENOCH LEWIS, President.
WIN. W. WATERS Secretary.