The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-10-06


Ist. That the great bdrthen of our tax
es, is purely local 10 character and levied by
local authorities. 2 Il
I'd. That the State officers are not in
any manner chargable with this burthen,
and that they in the management of the
public finances, have exercised the powers
conferred upon them, with prudenceecen-
omy, and integrity. at-s
8. That the remedy for these oppressive
burthens, is in the hands of the people them
selves, to be administered by them in the
control and regu lation Of their local affairs
The people are the source and fountain
of power. 1t would be unwise to take away
from them the power to levy taxes They
know their own interests best, and it is for
them to impose upon themselves in these
local matters just such burthens as they, in
their wisdom, may deem expedient. These
local taxes are not chargable to the Demo.
cratic pariSs any more than to any other
party. In some counties, townships, and
school districts, one party has the majority,
and in some, another party; and we have
made this analysis of taxes, not to defend OF
condemn the authorities in local districts,
but simply to show where the burthens rests,
so that the people may apply remedy il
one is needed, for themselves in their own
localities. = rr.l.. -...
Bank Faxes. +
Another question Of importance to the
people, is that of EQUAL TAxANIoN. The
property of each and every man should be
made to bear its just share of the puic bur.
thens. 1t is we'll known that the Banking
Institution Of the State have never done
this. Instead OF being taxed upon the a.
mount of capital invested in business, they
are only taxed upon their profits. 1t needs
no argument to show that this is unjust
We will give simple illustration. The
valuation of the capital III the Portage
Branch of the State Bank of Ohio at Ra.
VIENNA, last year was four hundred and thir
ty nine thousand Dollars. In consequence
Of mismanagement or accident, its profit
we're little or nothing, and as a result, j
paid not single cent Of tar. The droutl
last year cut off the products of the farmers
of Portage county, and they also failed tc
receive any profits, yet upon the same a
mount of capital as that invested in the Ra
VIENNA Bank, they were compelled, to pay
a tax of Fiue thousand one hundred and ei9h
ty nine dollars.
One of the cardinal principles OF th
Democratic party, is Equal Taxation. Be
lieving that Banking Institution ought to b.
taxed the same as ether property, desiring t
secure more equality in the burthens Of tn
people, and as a consequence to release tn
laboring classes from heavy tax whic
they are now compelled to pay, this part
has for q number of years advocated tn
taxation Of Banks upon the capital invest
ed. The new Constitution which wa
drafted by Democratic Convention re
quires this; the laws enacted by the Demo
cratic Legislature which first convened af
ter its adoption, require the same, and th,
resolutions adopted at every Democrat
State and County Cohventon, for man.
years set forth the same doctrine The fol
lowing is one of the resolutions adopted a
our last County Convention: 'tssa
, ResolUed, That equal taxation HAS Beel
aud still is cardinal doctrine of the Dem
ocratic party, and that all laws exehiptin
Banks or other, chartered institutions from
the payment of their equal share of take
| for the support of the government, are un
; just and oppressive, and we are fully deter
mined to continue our opposition to sue
laws. until perfect equality in taxation
fully established. ...-..s.
Nothing further need be said to show tn
J position Of the Democratic party upon thi
question. 1t is with us, living issue an
we are determined to press it upon the peo
pie until our point is gained.
In accordance with law passed by tn
first general assembly after the new consti
; tuition was adopted, the Banking capital o
; the State was taxed the same as other prop
erty. This tax has been levied by the Dem
: oeratic State and County officers, for tn
! last four year. But the Banks refuse t
pay it. They shield themselves behind thei
! charters. Thus the charter of Bank
placed above the constitution and abov
; the people. These institutions openly def
the State government. rss. 4. s.s
The following statement Of the tax du
and owing from the Branch of the Stat
Bank Of Ohio at Ravenna,, is submitted 70
: consideration. We give the valuation, ta1
I, interest and total amount due for four years
. commencing with 1852: jsi7n "a qH e
: y-''.'''" r. Interest F'''"'' '.,