Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-02-22
For the Standard.
AID VALOREM TAXATION. -
W. ". Holden, ESQ
No. 3.

W. ". Holden, ESP
In your paper of the 11th a communication over
the signature - Stakeholder" headed "Adlvalo-
rem Taxation" seems to be going the round of the
papers favorable to the adoption of this system of
taxation. Like the communication of Native"
the attorney OF the Iaboring mechanics of Wake
county, it seems not to have elected any reply of
any kind, and it is but fair to presume like ma
tive, that abuse not argument is all that it will
have to contend with. 1t was. however, admitted
few days since, in meeting of the mechanics and
working men of Wake county," by another legal
advocate Of the Society," that while others relied on
"abuse," the writer of the articles published in the
Standard, over the signature Of % Junaluska," did
not resort to abuse, and really made some attempt
at argument" Replies to the lawyers of the labor
ing mechanics WILL therefore, have to be postponed
until some attempt is made to convince the writer of
the article over the signature of Shareholder" that
whether his argument in favor of ad ralorem taxa
ton be regarded able defence of the system or
not 1t at least convictS the writer of more ncon-
sistencies than one If he be the same Senator who
at the last session of the Legislature made an effort
to amend the Constitution, for the purpose of ap-
plying the principle of al cGlOrem taxation to ''saye
property which is prohibited by the Constitution
as 1t now stands and it is quite probable it will
remain, until both Stakeholder" and ''Junaluska"
are done contending over the question not only in
the Senate but in newspapers out of the Senate
1t is but fair that the readers of the StaHdard as
well aS the members of the Senate should have an
opportunity of examining the arguments for, and
the attempted arguments against, I'D rdlOFeln taxa
ton. This is much more desirable than replying to
the same questions, than trying to the argu-
mentS of the la5oring mechanics are brought who
by their lawyer Native" are made to pursue
policy directly opposed to their interest and abuse
the laws, because they are led to suppose they dis
crimnate against them, when every law which they
complain OF "discriminaeS" in favor of the poorer
class SipaSt able tn hear tho hIrrthnpc Of State
But it is known that all agree that nd rdLOrem
taxation is right in part, when applied to lands and
other articles of permanent value, but not right
when the principle is applied in the same manner
to perishable property that at best has but few
years existence, such 'slave property" And be-
fore replying to Shareholders argument in favor
OF the Shareholders of the State must examine the
bill he introduced into the Senate at the last session
to amend the Constitution to benefit the "non-
Shareholder" and the speech he then made in favor
of the "laboring poor" whose friend he protested
to be- to see if there is anything necessary to
tain at least the charge of Inconsistency"
If it was necessary at last session to amend the
Constitution as proposed by Shareholder" to ben
eft the "non-saveholders, by taxing negroes high
er than the limitation in the Constitution of not
exceeding 3l6 per cent more than the tax on the
tailoring poor" what change has the Constitution
undergone, that now gives the power to the LegiS-
ature to tax slave property" for the benefit of the
Shareholders themselves, to their hearts content,
without limitation, to protect their property against
North fanaticism? Truly the shareholders ought
to feel grateful that they have shareholders capa-
bic of understanding and defending their interest
both in and out of Congress, capable of proving
that the Legislature has the power, and then with
equal clearneSs prove that the Constitution has not
the power to limit legislation on negro property TO
benefit 1.-The landess," and then benefit the slave
holder by preventing him from setting up any claim
to land jurisdiction which would protect this pro-
pery to prevent his interference with the land
less paupers of Europe. The shareholders may ex-
claim as in days of old, "savc from such friends,
and we will take care of our enemies"
JUNALUSKA.