Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-12-14

Such are some of the inequalities of our existing
revenue system We ask you, can it be defended!
Can any consideration, except self-interest urge
solitary argument in favor OF its continuance 10
every tax payer in the State we address ourselves,
and appeal to them for an answer after mature de-
liberation. It is the system that we war against,
and for the reform of which ask your earnest co.
operation. Commencing in 1884, it has continued
to the present time essentially the same, with but
few of its defects remedied In 1885. its distinctive
feature was, without reason, and without its being
demanded by public sentiment, Incorporated IN our
Constitution Other Acts of the General Assembly
can at every session, :" be touched by the piastic
hand of reformation" whilst ''acts to increase
the revenue of the State" must remain unchanged
in principle-cannot be perfected either by the ex-
perence of our statesmen altered to suit the ext
gencies of the Treasury. Can it be for moment
supposed that time has disclosed no defects in our
financial SYSTEM Is it believed that an experience
of seventy years has added nothing to our wisdom
in this respect in relation to of the most neces
sary and important functions of government? The
system might have been admirably suited to the
times and for the limited purposes for which i: was
adopted; yet no one could fOreSee the immense
changes that were to take place. and have taken
place. since its adoption Common sense will tell
us that system for the collection of $50 900 of rev.
enue in 1884 will not answer for raising $500, 600
in 1885, and it is worse than folly to think its fra
mers ever intended it should.
Mr. Brogden's last Report discloses another fact
well worthy of the serious consideration and atten
ton of every land and slave owner in the State. 1t
is that the amount of revenue raised for County
purposes assessed exclusively upon land'and polls,
exceedefthe sum paid to the State from all sources,
by the Sheriffs. In 1853, the County taxes amour
ted to S523417. The State taxes, collected by the
Sherifs, amounted to $502,612. Are land and polls
the only property and subjects directly interested in
, administration nf Conntv afflirSS IF anV
other species OF property receives the protection of
our County police, and is benefited by our County
regulations it ought, in our opinion, to contribute
its proper proportion to the support necessary to
keep up that police.
We think the foregoing statements, limited as
they necessarily are. clearly demonstrate that the
principles upon which is based our existing revenue
system are not such the progress of events and
the spirit of our people demand. The times we live
in, and the circumstances surrounding us, demand
a change. Is change practicable? If we had not
the experience of sister States similar to our own in
every respect in the affirmative we should he loath
to believe that the wisdom and talent of our public
officers and legislators could not reach the $780,
100000 of property within our borders, all of which
think be legitimate subjects of taxation, as to
each dollar thereof its proper contribution
for the support Of the government. One-sixth of
one per cent of that amount would raise $S33, 1893
per annum-a sum amply sufficient for the admin
stration of the for years to come unless
unforeseen contingencies should arise. The COM
plexon of federal relations at this time is of such
character as to seriously admOnsh us that those
contingencies may at any tine arise. Within the
next eighteen months it may become necessary to
increase the revenue a hundred fold and more, to
support our beloved. State Free and sovereign,
and independent nation. Equalize the burden
among those who have it to bear by just and equal
laws, and whatever amount may be necessary to
preserve the good credit of North Carolina in any
and every emergency, will be willingly given by our
people. Many of the fathers of State sacrificed
their all in the days Of 70 We believe their de-
scendants, actuuted by the same patriotic spirit
would be equally ready to pledge their lives their
fortunes and their most sacred honor" to preserve
the inestmabe rights handed down to them.
We have thus in an imperfect manner endeavOred
to lay honestly before the reasons that induced
to for this rotation AMI the objects We have
for so doing. To the sober Judgment of the people
Of orr State appeal and willingly rest the rcc'i-
tude Of our motives with the decision of that peo-
pie. To the same tribunal also willingly
leave the fears and insnuations of those who affect TO
believe this movement of ours to be fraught with
danger and calamity; and whose zeal and interest
for the prosperity of the masses have heretofore
been universally measured by the success failure
Of their own petty plans Of sclfaggrandizement-
Times will eventually and surely disclose the selfish
motives governing their actions; and to the vrtuous
indignation which such disclosure will surely
con>ign them we content to leave them.
heforegoing address being unanimously adopted;
it was
Resolred, That 5000 copies be printed for the use
of the members of the Association.
1t was further
Rcsolred, That the newspapers throughout the
State be requested to publish the same.
JNO. R. HARRISON, President
S. NJ. PARISH, Secretary.
The Electoral College of 1860.
Tho ta&o ho I'D to- ofn