The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-03-25
TAXATION AND REPRESENTATION.

In the origin OF thls government, INC "iso
men of the revolution gained great strength
to their cause by the manifest justice OF their
claim that representation ought to be con-
current with taxation. Ii was like an axiom
in political economy, and won the assent OF
every thinking mind. The same men in
1881 embodied this principle in the first ar
ticle of the national constitution when they
provided that representatives. and direct
taxes shall be apportioned" on the same |
basis and ration. But no direct national
tax is laid, this provision is of no practical |
effect. The South loses Two fifth in the !
census OF its blacks, whi'e il gains none of |
the contemplated reciprocal advantage in |
taxes, because no direct taxes are laid. But (
the wise men of 1887 placed upon the rec
ord this just principle upon which they had |
achieved success against the unjust horesies
of the British king and parliament,
In Pennsylvania we have degenorated from !
,h,, doctrine of l176; and our representation !
on1 ;, vation are not upon the same basis.
trhn s.,, constitution of 1887 x '3s provides !
,h,,. cntatives ''shall be apportoned |
nccord;n,, ,o the number OF ta1obIe inhali-
,a,,s - 'stricto A tax on this basis
,ynn,a Lo non lax, by which each man
.ho,,,l um 10 the state, without /
- r.! of his property This !
.'.I, ,~.,,,;,.I.- 80, nt the tomrcr OF our
people But the basis O. ~ ~ n':.
ly one of property or ralue, ,;I', ,r ''> ,', a'
of representation is one on f0
or numbers. Some trouble ana
already grown out of this difle
io and more mischief will yet IT ''' .r Wv
present wide variance he continued >'
TO illustrate, Bradford county, under
listing numerical ratio Of representation
ttpo members of The legislature and Colt ~,
bia hulfa member, because She elects WI
Montour But by the property ratio Column
hia county pays almost rs much tax for tho
support of the state government us Bradford. ?,
Tho property basis of Bradford for taxation ,i
is 4 little over 81 900 900, while that of lie. -.
high, Lebanon and Delaware is in each case
over 80 900 ,oCo, though each of these coun- s.,
-, .-.~,.s,z,,., ,~.;,,, nf -csr~
scu;atiou on'p oat member o' the Legislature.
Northampton county pays iaN on over Sl2-
500 900, which according 10 the ratio OF
Bradford or Erie would giNc her Sir mem. :, =,
hers of the legislature though she has only -
ttro like each of these counties with Si,- II"
ooU 900 Of property. Woga, Wayne and '
Cambria counties have each less than Se,' '"
600, 900 as the basis of TAXATION, while Cum. "
bcrlaud pays tax on moro than 900 900, y,
We, in the new apporionmcnt hill these y,
counties are alike Sc; down for one repre- ""' "
sentative 10 each, Luzeruc and Mon'gom- -
cry are each sci down for hrtf members IN
the bill by The numerical ratio, and indeed
Luzernc has more taNablcs than Mon!gom-
CRY. Bu, Montgomery pays more Ihnn three u
times as much state tax rs luzerne. II
4 strict property ratio Of value would not e.
II, fair =, serve as the basis ct representa-
,;on h,cau,c our Legislators are not 10 pass a
laws onjv for tL,s protection Of property )
There are personal r;'"h's, sentiments feel p
mos and relations winch arc TO claim their e
attention, and therefore indN. '''''S !
be considered in making The appoTu. .,e ="
But certainly the material dcvclopmen. ="
the ear,h's resources, and the intricate and =.
intimate relation OF properly with The So re
cial condition OF people is also q great 81
subject for the consideration o! true law lie
maker: and should, Tor that reason, enter l.
into the count with other Interests when ii
representatives are appor,ioncd. All the is
various clements and interests which COM h
pose the subjects OF legislation should be "
balanced in forming The basis Of FeNrese"'
ia,ion. and this same ratio should be The :
one also foT taxation.
The rights and the duties OF citizens ina
good government are Teciprocal; AMI 'hls I
principle rules many, ii not all, OF The Pm n
ra,e relations of life. 7ha, OF master and It
servan, or paeeni and child furnishes com. Il
non Illustrations where party must dis +
charce its duties before it can enforce du- ;
~ from the other Indeed reL:s and dates !
are the same thing for that to which one i
has right Il is the duty al ciherS 10 render. 7
Now while The citizen owes justly ap-
po.tioued suppou 10 the government, +! 7
tax az otherwise, It's Legislature owes 10 h!ua E
protection for all his material ana inoor'''
real interests in The same ratio Ana 70 Ell. )
iov and secure thai share o: lis influence he
mus be recognized to :. corresponding eA' I
tent in the superintendent O. its members
If different Tauo were adopted which Y
shonld recognize properly, ihe po-i1'c%-
power Of this properly woua fail as much
to the poor man Of the respective dIs'nei
as 10 lAe rch for each word sil.. Te.A-n
his equal power Al the halloi-hox, ar fe'A' !
Gvely sustain the sane poiitica- reia;l'a I
toward the osher as now. The -un1e1cal :
power .. the haliet.hox would modify me :
apparent influence which might be gwen :
10 properly, 50 IAas 10 ullscH1e: oo1la 1e-
suit
We have fherzhs his sstsee1 through
and though No basis VIA suit al FeoE1e7 we
are sure thai we o3sh7 70 come back 10 mrs.
principles We have Observed titAi % aus
.-,rr4v rnc-e i1lzn Ihree-four'h oi Tie ot3ec-