Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-09-08

l dollar and in one or two others about the same | as in Arkansas.
 1 If this mode of calculation is deemed un- fair, by taking another, that is the taxable pro- perty in the State and the pro rata paid on each l hundred dollars a more favorable result is | gained. Lands valued lower in Ar I kansas than in any of the northern and cas- l tern States, notwithstanding our law requiring i that no lands shall be valued at less than three l dollars an acre. For instance in New York land is assessed at an average of forty dollars an acre | the State tax being three dollars and ffty-sx l cents an acre. In Vermont 4629, 436 acres are valued al S69 294, 400, equal to fifteen dol lars an acre, the State tax being fifteen cents In majority of the western States land IS asses sed at the rate of ten dollars an acre. In Ten nessee it is a fraction below five dollars and in our State about the same. Missouri has 15 ,39O,- 334 acres valued at S79OlO, ,334, on which the State tax was $158,O37 81. Arkansas, in 1857, had 7,989,676 acres, valued at S39O69, 146, on which the State tax was $65, 1l5 24 The tax on an acre of land in Arkansas is less than one cent, being little over eight mills In other States great many other species of property and privileges are made taxable. In some States heavy tax is laid on free negroes, on dogs and other property and privileges not taxable here Besides, there are kinds of taxes unkown to US. In Indiana they have State poll-tax, State tax, county tax, road tax, school tax and sinking fund tax. In other States in addition to these there are canal taxes, poor rates, etc.3
 We repeat that, leaving Texas out, there are but two or three States in the Union in which taxes are lighter than in Arkansas, and those are small affairs, whose governors could visit every family in their respective states in few weeks and whose areas are not much larger than counties in Arkansas
 There is now in the treasury of Arkansas over quarter of million of dollars, in specie, applicable to State expenditures, besides other funds to be distributed among the counties. It will be seen that the rate of taxation can be still further reduced, unless the General As sembly chooses to create fund to meet the payment of the State debt. This debt, at one time estimated at over three mill ions, will be found upon examination to be in reality not half that sum. We shall recur to this in another paper, so soon as we can pro- cure the necessary official information. A State so young, vigorous and gowiDg ours need not be alarmed at the amount of her indebtedness if she will take timely steps to meet the de- mands on her. However much the enemies of Arkansas may talk of virtual repudiation, we know that the sentiments of nine -tenths of the people are in favor of the State paying every dollar that she is morally bound to pay. If Illinois can pay upwards of million a year for four years, and expect to pay debt of thirteen millions by the year 1866, we may safely count on being able to pay debt of one or two mil lions in the years to ensue before it all becomes due. Nineteen States have larger debt than Arkansas, that of Pennsy lvania being upwards of forty millions of dollars
 In these calculations the State of Texas was omitted, her wealth and revenue arising from the sale of Der lands NOuld enable her to carry on her government with but - ht taxation. However hen examine We find that the difference is slight between her and The State tax Is fifteen cents hundred dollars and poll tax of fifty cents. There k also a State license tax producing SZ7 900 She has 46 STA 7yS acres of land valued ai SSS ,s76 655. Thus while the rate oftaxaon is shade lower, the property is valued more highly. The greater part of the amount collected has been paid over to the counties for the erection of county buildings and county expenses.
 sln these estimates and ealulations the taxes in cities have not been taken into account. For in Stance the city of New York with population about double that of State spends millions yearly. It costs to carry the government of the city of New York year, than the State of Arkansas from ls3s o lss0 at the same rate of progression We are told by gentleman who has examined the sub eet that in Aes York SlD1G ia Teal estate pays taxes in one year equal 10 three and a half Der cent In Philadelphia it is less but still enormous. The assessors have nXed tbc rate of taxation in Boston this year at e s4 ger tlvvJ The poll will be S- %. The total cunt Co be raised i- : 27s 800
 We remember Co have rern 6 statement of the amount oi taxes paid on property in Cincinnati but do not remember the pTeci-e amount. N hat would the people Of Arkansas who grumbc at twenty live cents on a hundred GOiiurs. say to take. like thess ln the cities Oi from eghy cenis Co five dol- iars on the hundfedi The people of Illinois in ad- nuon @ he taxation necessary Co carry on thc town ship. county and State aflair- have been taxe, to Fay lhe State debt to the tune of four and half millions oi dollars in the pa~t our years.