Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-09-27

| nation, quite large enough, but by Fall it is
quite possible it will reach 100000. Wisconsin,
il remember correctly, did not come into the
Union until she had upwards of 100000, and
then her shrewdest and best men opposed the
movement, and have since remarked that if she
could have been kept out two or three years lon
ger, it would have been worth millions of dollars
to the citizens. Let us profit by their mishap.
| My admission that the high rates of interest
would fall on our becoming State, was prede.
Gated on the ground that law would be enacted
to govern the rates of interest, not that money
would be more plenty but that money in fact
would be less abundant. 1t does not follow that
because money is plenty that therefore business
will be brisker. lean point at least to a iozen
towns in the East where money commands but
six per cent per annum, and there is plenty of
it, and yet business cannot be compared with that
Of ST. Paul. 1t needs something else to create
prosperity than mere money. 1t needs trade,
barter, enterprise energy, agricultural resources
&c. If by becoming State therates of interest
on money are lowered, and money becomes scarcer
in proportions, (which will inevitably be the re-
suit because it will be diverted to other channels,
cannot see what benefit is to be derived from
such state of things. Which would be the
most conducive TO the interests Of the farmer
to borrow money at six per cent. while laboring
under severe taxation brought about by reducing
the rates of interest, or to borrow money at 30
per cent. while free from debt because he has no
taxation? This is a question worthy. inyestiga-
tion. @ ssa Qe ec e4.1)
still insist, and I submit my views with all
candor to Mr.. Warren, that .s staxation will be
more severe to the farmer or mechanic under
State than under Territorial Governms snt.''
My reasons have already been given in part in
another portion of this article, bat propose to
follow the matter little further. think we
agree on one point, that taxation falls upon
property, that is, real estate. Now who possess
the real estate if not the farmers 2? The specula.
tor can have, and does have, $4,000 at his fin.
gers end, upon which he pays not dime Of tax
alton, because it is fuctuating property AMI be.
yond the reach of the tax-gatherer, whereas that
Of the farmer is stationary, as well as that of the
hard-earned homestead of the mechanic.
While the one is taxed for the fall amount of
his property, the other escapes with but partial
tax. This is and has been, and will be the case
doubtless through oil time, and yet it is not right.
Every man does not pay ssaccording to the amount
of property which is protected" nor does 'sthe
man of great wealth pay in proportion to his
wealth." simply for the reason that most of his
wealth is composed of that peculiar property
which happily for the owner escapes the law.
Say, for instance, Mr.. Snooks is reputed to be
worth $4,000. $4,000 Of this is in land.
Now Snooks is taxed for the SIC, 900 in real
estate, but how much tax is gathered from the
other $4,000? How much tax did Borup &
Oakes pay for issuing $6U,O0O of their Shin.
plasters and yet the farmer is taxed every dollar
for his land and stock, and so is the mechanic.
1t is true that labor is not taxed in this country
and thank God for that, but it is equally true,
that many who should be taxed escape it. To
close my point let me remark, that under ter.
rtorial government, the farmer is not called upon
to build roads, nor to aid in defraying the Legs-
lative or judicial expenses of the Territory.
taxes are light, because the General Governnent
relieves him of the burden. The moment we be-.
come State he is obliged to assume that which
the Government a:sumed, and as a natural,
plain, self-evident deduction his taxes must be
greater. a 6 lisgg s- 1a ~ sat
g Thus Sir, you will observe we differ widely on
the propriety of the immediate admission of Min.
nesota into the Union, and while concede to
you frankness and honesty in your view of the
question, trust you will have sufficient charity
to believe me sincere in my advocacy of a course
which deem the best adapted to enhance the
interests and prosperity Of every citizen of our
mutually loved Minnesota.
Respectfully,
shia5o Your obedient Servant,
i Gao $3.50 THOMAS M. NEwsoN.