Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-04-09
" ~ plrcHIE & DUNNAvANT.
UNEQUAL AND UNJUST TAXATION.


In our article of yesterday. we presented bret
rsvisw Of the injurious effect OH the commercial
ineresa OF the State resulting from the license tax
aud the tax onpriVate credit. Even more oppressive
than either Of these the tax public credit Nay
the two former taken together create much less
immediate obstscle to the expansion OF commerce
than does the tax GU State bonds.
A. We have frequently reminded our readers to!S
tax ia the favorite measure of the sntlmerovement
men of tho State. Its great efect-the op)eet ior
hich 4. was rst devised-s to prevent the continue
ZION of State enterprise in The construction OF rail
roads and canals. 30 long as State bonds are kept
below par by the taxes imposed them, just 30 long
10 1t impossible for the State to raise, by the sale OF
such bonds, funds to satsfy the appropriations to
public works. The tax on state bonds must be re-.
moved or the State must abandon the completion OF
works to which she has pledged her nteress and her
faith. The anti Improvement men have avowed
preference for the latter alternative and with the un
syoidabe issue staring them In the face, the friends
of internal Improvement have wasted and nullihed
all theiriown sorts to obtain appropriations by per-
hitting the continuance Of policy which prevents
the application Of such appropriations. Dlsorgansea
sud dl.membersd, they have permitted closely or
ssnized minority to employ the votes of the ms)or
~ aesins, the desire and policy Of the majority
Tho internal trade of the country is deprived OF '
nacesasrv channels. The only bssis upon wnlch 10
build ND foreign trade is denied to our merchants.
In no instance have the interests of any portion OF
,be s,.,e been more speciouay betrayed by this poll
a, than have the best interests of the city Of Rich.
mond The centre of convergepce for the great line
If the State, Richmond ia entirely dependent on their
completion for the continuance and growth OF her
commercial importance. Without such complehon'
her hona trade must anguish, and 1t Is impossoa 10
build mn foreign trade at all. With such completion
aha nust at enoe, become the principal city OF the
Atlantic States In the combination Of manufacturing
and commercial advsntsgsa-and yet 1t he's been ar
,usd and decided that Richmond shall forego the ad
vantage of untold wealth. in order that her corporate
authorities may levy . tax on state bonds Local.
jealousy has done more than every thing ese to de-
feat the tsrssts Of the State and here We nave 'e
natural result of its indulgence.
II bas become such beast Of prey, that at last II
fsed. on its own members. Local Jealousy 10 caring
~ local interests. As if to recognise this state OF
affairs the Legislature has finally offered the city OF
Richmond the alternative Of abstaning from diet on
nubic credit altogether. of compromising Tago"f
OF equal parts of fesh and fow-h may deVour state
credit at will, provided It be pessoned with sutf'
o;eut proportion Of city credit This smacka decided
~ Of poetica iustice, but forms very poor apology
ar ,tstesunsnship. State credit city crect com
msrcial manufacturing, mining and agricultural IN
tsres,s throughout the State must he sacriced-'he
whole body of the State must bleed at every vein,
that the sh,ock of corporation may take his pound
Of flesh.
lie, the friends Of internal Improvement hear in
mind that this ta1 instituted and is continued Z"
sacrifice their interests spd hwart their policy Let
the citiaens OF Richmond, and especially her mar.
shsns remember that this burden all the interests
Of the State, weighs heaviest on their own shoulders
Let the liberal minded men of Richmond mite with
the friends OF progress throughout the State. Lei
them oresnze their combined force, during the merit
years. and thus prepare to break down this invi-
iiaas syssln vi taxation 10y direct resort to lsgisa
:;ys reform.