Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-07-07

Col. Netherlands Policy Of Taxa
tion----Ris unjust discrimination
in favor Of the Rich and against
the Poor (
There is no mltter about which |
the people should feel a deeper con- !
Germ than the subject of taxation
1t was an unequal and unjus. system
of taxation. sought to be imposed on
the American colonies by England,
that drove our forefathers into the
revolution, and which made them so
careful when they went to establish
a form of government, to frame it
with view that the burdens of taxa
alton should fall equally upon all, aud
consistently with tia, sense of JUS
tice which is the very soul of Re-
publican institutions.
The history of all governments
up to that time had been a history
of wrongs and expressions. The
strong had tyrannized over the weak.
The power OF concentrated capital
had relieved itself of all the burdens
of government and placed them up
on the shoulders of labor. The
fruits of the toiling husbandman and
mechanic were taken to uphold insti-
buttons, the chief benefits of which
were enjoyed by The wealthy nobility,
The tendency Of capital has always
been the same. 1t was the general
equality of our forsiathers and the
oppression to. which they had been
subjected, that enabled them to es-
tablish a free government and equal
laws upon this continent. But in
the times of the revolution, and ev-
er since, wealth has been un(riendly
to liberty, because liberty brought
with it greater equality, and exemp.
ton to labor from that unjust and
oppressive taxation which the power
Of capital bad always levied upon it.
There has ever been party in the
country representing these unjust
demands of capital. There has al
ways been a party resisting such de-
mands and UNFOLDING the rights and
equality Of labor; and these parties,
let names change as they may, will
continue to exist so lang as avarlce
and selfishness are traits OF human
character. Col. Netherland believes
In a system of taxation which will
throw the burdens Of government
upon labor to the exemption of capi-
tai and wealth. His record upon
this subject, brief as it is: is clear
and well defined. AS member Of
the Legislature, in arranging the rev.
lenue laws of The State-notwith-
standing he was unwilling to exempt
from execution the last hoe, the last
plow, and the last horse or mule, o.
the humble husbandman, and the
. tools in the hands of the mechanic
he endeavored to impose upon these
classes the main burdens of govern.
, ment, and voted to ezempt from
: faration all capital aJors 5000 III
5 the hands Of the sharer. He voted
furthermore, TO exempt from taxation
all pleasure carriages used for the dis
+ play and ease OF wealth. Singular
as may seem these charges, they art
proven by the public records, and ar
; not controvert.d by Col. Netherland'i
5 friends. For these votes, see House
journal, 1886, pages 4S5-6and 4SS.
While Col. Netherland would by tht
tariff policy which he is now advo
eating tax the hoe, the plOw, The
! trace chain, the mechanics tools snG
ali the other implements Of labor ant
: necessaries of life. be voted to ex
empt the capital Of the shaver anf
the pleasure carriages Of the rich
thus legislating for the few at the ex
pense of the many. Upon this pol
4 icy. also, the people must pass the
5 ensuing election.
j n IL d. A.. D.. IL -,