Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-12-19
.STAUNTON SPECTATOR.
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 1s, 1855.
Taxes.

In his electioneeriug speeches and letters last
May, Mr.. Wise gave the people to understand
that SO far as his influence extended he intended
to make them ''groan with tayes," but from all
appearances the present Legislature will save him
the trouble of attending TO tho matter. The de-
felt in the Treasury is 50 great that nothing but
heavy increase in the taxes can relieve the
State If embarrassment, and the people are groan-
ing already in prospect of an additional haul Of
100 per cent upon their taxable property. We
concur entirely in the opinion expressed by our
Richmond correspondent last week, that 1t would
be unwse and inexpedient to suppl y the deticien-
cy in single year by doubling the present rates
Such an increase in these times OF almost unpar-
alleed money pressure, would be unnecessarily
burdeusome, and in all probability would convert
the feeble groaus of the people into one loud and
universal howl of dissatisfaction. Perhaps by a
little extra assiduity the Legislature might dis
cover some articles not now embraced in the tax
list, and thus moderate the proposed increase OF
rates. We notice that bill has been offered in
the Legislature of Tennessee, proposing TO levy
tax upon all men who wear ''the mouStache,' -
and all bachelors over thirty years of age. These
two items might be considered" by our law-ma-
kers, to which we would add all men who wrap
themselves in shawls, and all women who wear
igh-heeled boots.
In addition to the deficit already existing in the
Treasury, which, according to the Auditors Re-
port, demands an average increase to the taxes OF
100 per cent, the number of bills introduced into
the Legislature, asking appropriations for internal
Improvements is unprecedented. The Richmond
Examiner estimates the real bona .fde demands
on the present Legislature, as follows
Covington and Ohio, S5,400,000
Orange and Alexandria extension, 100000
Dany lie extension 10000
Manassas Gap extension, 6O0,O0O
All Others likely to be seriously considered 100000
$9,60s, 900
Now the proposed increase Of 100 per ceut.
does not admit OF appropriations to internal i'm
provements, being absorbed by past deficits ana
current expenses. Our readers can make the cal
culation for themselves and find Out what add
lional increase above the 100 per cent. will be re-
qured in order TO raise this $9,600,0 900. Be-
sides this amount, there are innumerable petitions
for appropriations to minor improvements. Veri-
ly the present Legislature has a heavy response
biily upon its shoulders. Undoubtedly it is their
duty to forget party politics for season, and adj
dress themselves 10 the work OF relieving the
State from its present and prospective difficulties.
II appropriations 10 the great leading lines of i'm
proyement can only be secured by system Of
logloing, which will lead to heavy expenditures
upon mud turnplkes and county cross roads. we
should prefer to see no appropriations made. We
fear, however from the spirit already manifested,
that the assembled wisdom OF tho State will
lessly vote money to everybody who asks, aud
run the Old Dominion into the very jaws Of bank
ruPcy and reputation.
In this crisis, when the people are about to be
so grievOusy burdened, would it not be the part
of wisdom-would it not be common sense, to take
| the snug little sum coming to Virginia from the
sales of the public lands. instead Of making fur
Their demands upon an already groaning people
Strange that the people of the State permit them
selves to be SO numerically tax-rdden, and con-
tiuue to confde the management of affairs to
''penny wise and pound foolish" politicians, who
pertinaciously refuse TO receive the means of re-
| lief