Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-01-31
THE $35o,ooo STATE TAX.
SPEECH OF.
H O n. L. p. H ARVEY
OF ROCK,



On the motion to refer, for investigations that
part of the message which treats of the excessive
tax of last year, to the committee on finance
Mr.. Harvey addressed the Senate as follows:
Mr.. PREsIDENT:-While listening to the read
ing of this extraordinary message before the
Joint convention of the two houses, it seemed to
me that sef-respcct as well as proper sense Of
the dignity and independence of the legislature
must withhold my vote from any motion in the
Senate to pratt, refer, or extend any Of the usual
attentions to a paper of the character, tone and
temper of the document before ms. Through in
attention or neglect OF the majority parts of the
paper have found reference without opposition
trust we shall proceed no further in this course
but take up our outline of legislative action
without further reference to this so called execu
tive communication; and for the reason, Mr.
President, that l deem the paper TO be false in
It's statements of material facts-partizan in its
character and insulting in its tone-both to the
Legislature, and equa7and coordinate branch of
the government. and to the moral sentiments
ard cherished convictions of large and loyal
portion of the people of this State.
For the present, | design to conhne my re-
marks 70 that portion of the message referred to
IN the motion under consderation-its state
ments touching the financial condition Of the
State.
We are told there was a balance in the treas
ury, on the 1st day Of the present month, Of
ST., 526,26. Yet the treas ury has been noto-
rously unable to meet the demands against it
during The past year. Members of the last leg
islature We're unable to get their full pay at the
close OF the session; and there are Senat rs be
fore me who have presented certificates lor per
diem ofmembers of the last legislature, within
few days past, to whom payment was refused
for rant Of funds. Comment is unnecessa4y y
l wish to call particular attention to the preten
ded exhibit of the liabilities and resources CT the
State for the fiscal year, commencing the Ist day
OF January, 1856. by which prospective sur
plus Of Sl38 432, 04 in the treasury on the first
day of Januarys 1857, is attempted to be shown
and from which the inference is drawn that the
last legislature levied tax at least $1,000
greater than the exigences Of the State treas
ury required, with the object Of creating 'parti-
Fan clamor for political ends"
1t was my fortune, Mr., President to serve
as a member of the committee on finance Of the
late Senate, which committee reported the facts
and estimates upon which the tax law OF last
winter was based; as also the bill for the act it
self. Ny associates upon that committee were
the then Senator from Fen Gu Lac. Mr. FL
dredge, )and the present Senator from Marquette,
gentlemen whose relations with and friendship
for Governor Barstow an the late State admin
istrat;on were Of the most intimate character
The committee set about the work of ascertain
ing the amount Of State tax required to be lev
lcu dt dS tal Jay III tiIC ScaSloii DIS Ing ptOS
ress of the labors of the session, and especially
the grants of appropriations, warranted an ap-
proXimatc estimate Of the liabilities of the State
the pretense of this message about the late
ness OF the time at which the bill was introduced
and passed, to the contrary notwithstanding
AS the first step in our work the chairman u
the committee Mr. Eldredge) and myself cailed
upon the State Treasurer for a statement of the
outstanding liabilities and present resources of
the treasury as well as an estimate of the pros
pectiye demands upon the department for the
neIt fiscal year. l hold in my hand the identi-
cal statement handed to me by Mr.. Eldredge,
as obtained from the State Treasurer, accOmpa-
nyng request that l would assume the duty
of drafting the report ana bill. Whether this
paper be the hand writing Of Mr.. Jansen, the
treasurer, or Mr.. Scaver, the deputy treasurer,
| am unable to state That both accorded in
the business of its statements | know, from
repeated conversations with those gentlemen
over its items.