Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1857-04-04
Curious Taxes.

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| A statement of the sources of the State revenue
lately issued from the COmptroller's Department
OF the State of North Carolina, contains some cu-
rious items. Nobody, it seems can get married
In North Carolina without paying tax of one doll
lar to tie state; and from this questionable source
OF revenue an income was derived last year Of
81, ,O59 IS, the odd seyenty-fiye cents we suppose
for three-quarter marriage.
A much more reasonable object Of taxation arg
oowie-knyes and pistols, each taxed the same sum
OF one dollar, and bringing in yearly revenue OF
Sl,9l9. We respectfully suggest to the Legisla-
ture of North Carolina to consider the expediency
OF raising this tax to four even ten dollars espe
ciaiy in the case of all bowieknves and pistols
cretly carried about the person. Dirks and sword
canes would seem to be decidedly less in favor
among the people Of North Carolina than bowie
knives and pistols. Though taxed but fifty cents,
they are so little in use as to produce but go
Pianos, we know not by what rule or reason stand
IN the North Carolina financial point of view on the
same level with pistols and bowie-knves, being tax
ed at the same rate, and, what is odd. the amount
produced is very nearly the same, being 81 ,924.
But we must not conclude from this that the RiDe-
teen hundred and odd quarrelsOme Ien who carry
these deadly weapons, are precisely set of by the
same number of harmonious young ladies' who nm
ger or attempt to finger the piano. The latter Is
bulky article, and not so easy to hide from the
eyes OF the assessor, while we suspect good many
pistols and bowie-knives escape untaxed. Harps
at two dollars each produce an income to the State
of S64. Why should harps be taxed twice as much
pianos, and why should guitars, ddes, bass-yiols
and wind instruments generally escape taxation at
all? AS, in the interest of the ladies', we protest
against taxing marriage licences, SO IN the same
interest we protest against the taxes on harps and
pianos. Playing cards, at twenty-five cents
pack, produce S39l 25; billiard tables, at 500
each, Sl,250; and bowling alleys, at SIS each,
S@S0 fIrcuSoS and shOvS DrOiurP S3 370 There
is no tax on dancing parties, at which we are lit
tie surprised. Privileged voters, at forty cents
each, pay s3I6 80. Who are privileged voters?
Thut is one of the mysteries Of Norh Carolina on
which we are unable to throw any light Gold
watches, at one dollar each, produce So 942; silver
watches, at twenty-five cents each, s., ,l4S. Gold
and silver plate and ewelry pay per cent on the
value, and produce 81, ,l25 95. Pleasure carriages
pay from fifty cents to four dollars each, and pro-
duce Sl5, 800. Carriage venders pay from $50 to
500 each, producing 81 800. Drugs and medi-
cines sold by agents are taxed twenty-five per
cent, and produce S525 o. PeddIers pay Ii
cense of $50, producing S2,75S. Retailers pay
license of $50, producing S7,92l. Taverns and
inns and livery stables pay SlU each, yielding
$3.50. Horse drovers, taxed at the same rate,
yield 81 ,270. Capital in merchandise, at one quar-
ter of one per cent, produces S33, ,S5I 81. Capital
in the negro trade at the same rate produces
Sl2S4 %. Capital in the liquor trade, at FIVE per
cent, yields Sl4 600. The auction and commits
sion business does not seem to be very fOurishing
The one quarter of one per cent auction tax pro-
duces only Sl2 SO; the one per cent tax on COM
mission merchants brings In $40 20. There is
tax of 500 on express companies; but it would
seem there is no company to pay it. Insurance
companies pay $1,000; brokers, at 100 each,
$500; turpentine distilleries,> $I092. Polls at
forty cents each, pay SS4 ,9l3 land, at twelve
cents per 500, Sl05, ,l96; town property, at the
same rate, $4,000. Interest received pays three
per cent, and yields $4,000; dividends on stocks,
at the same rate, "a ,533. Including few other
items, 'the sum total is 1885,, ,437 The items
above stated are not calculated to give high idea
of the wealth or luxury of North Carolina.