Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-05-27
A Few Plain Words about the Pro-
posed RAILROAD Taxation.

In few days the citizens of Nashville will
be called upon to vote direct tax to aid in
building the Nashville and North Western
Railroad. On the subscriptions heretofore
voted to Railroad stock, the plan has been the
Issuance OF bonds, on which the Corporation
have for years only to see that the interest is
paid. The day Will come when the whole
amount subscribed will have TO be shonldered
but il is 50 distant that the most of us voting
the tax will be comfortably in our graves
when it arrives. Our present petitioners
want the ready money; they ask that, in adj
dition to our present taxes, we tax ourselves
the traing little SUN of $4,000 per annum
for three years
Before voting let our citizens look closely
at the consequences They should know that
the present taxes, although quite heavy, are
barely sufficient 10 meet the current expen-
ses OF the city, with no provision for paying
off the accumulated debt; and the city is now
in the condition of man who has become
largely involved and calculates whether il is
more prudent to retrench and economist, or
to plunge yet deeper into speculation and in
vestmeuts. In the case before us ii is not
contcndcd that this Investment, If made, will
bring Il direct return. but that the great in-
crease of business aud of population
the city will ultimately be repaid in full'for
the outlay
Last September the citizens elected twenty
gentlemen To manage the affairs of the cor
poration. and it is but just to those gentlemen
to say that they undertook the duty with zeal
energy and fideliIy-they have investigat d
the affairs of The city-estimated its resources
and calculated its expeuditures-they have
advantages that none others can have of judg-
ing what is wise, what is judcious in the man
agrment of TIE finances, and with few
exceptions they believe that this taxation
would be imprudent and the burden. just now,
intolerablc; nevertheless as represent rtives of
the people, they have agreed to submit the
question to the popular vote. If the citizens
prefer TO be governed by the views of those
who have personal interest in the bnlding of |
the road, rather than by the opinion OF thosr |
TO whom the interests of the city have been |
committed. and who decide in the matter |
without bias. unless their anxiety for the |
u
bias, be it so; we will submit as gracefully as
possible.
Many persons not owning prop rty may
think that il does not affect them that this /
tax be levied-but in this they are mistaken.
Leteach merchant renting store-house worth
100000 reflect that if this tax is levied, his
lIndlord will he taxed an increased sum Of
more than 500 each year. and let him con
slider who Is to pay this additional tax The
landlord will pay il but he will exact it OF
his tenant and while his hand is in be will
raise the rent perhaps couple of hundreds
to cover contingencies. The tenant of "A
dwelling house worth $1,000 will have to
aid his landlord in paying tho SIS additional
tax; and rents do not generally 90 up by fl
ties. In a word, the dweller in the verest
shanty that adds mite to private income
will feel the weight of this burden, and like
load carried by men on uneven ground, those
lower on the hillside will have the greater
weight to bear.
The effects OF taxation as at present assess
ed, although made light of by the advocates
OF the proposed tax, are seen in the effort Of
our people to get outside Of the city limits,
by which, Edgedeld, McGavock. Watkins,
Fairfield and West Nashville are being rapid
ly built mp by persons who enjoy many OF the
advantages OF the city aud suffer none Of its
burdens. A large and wealthy portion of the
suburbs in the free territory lately refused to
accept incorporation with It's advantages Of
schools, 'streets, gas, water and police, be-
cause the taxes present aud prospective weigh
down the advantages.
The city has lost sight OF the true purposes
n taxation which is TO raise money for com
ort, convenience and necessity, and has gone
boldly 10 work spoculating tor wealth.
IL i' unnecessary 10 enlarge on the argi-
nent OF those iayoring the tax that the State
5 so liberal in her aid. as all must know that
We are part OF the State. and where the
tate apPropriates literally for Railroads or !
ny other Improvement she docs so, out OF
ur pockets. n. =