Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-21
MEETING OF THE MERCHANTS.
| From Tie Norfolk Herald. !


ton the tax proposed to be levied upon merchants by
the bill now in progress through the Legislature.
We are unable for want of time, to give more than
synopsis of the proceedings. The most determined
spirit prevailed, and the protest and resolutions we're
adopted by accllmation.
The meeting was called to order by John b. White
head, ESQ., and on his motion Col Kader Bggs, Presi-
dent of the Merchants and Mechanics Exchange, was
appointed to preside and VIM f. Foster, Esq., requested
| to act as Secretary.
The Chairman stated that the meeting had been convened
for the purpose Of giving expression to the sentiment Of
the mercantile interests in this community with the ref
to the Ubiquitous tax proposed to be land under
the bill now before the Legislature the merchants Of
Virginia In this respect the tax bill was odious
! and Objectionable in the extreme. IL Disseminated
runousy against the merchant, aud the very principle
of self-preservatOu should impe him to protest with
earnestness ard determination against its final enactment
| On motion of Mr.. Whitehead, commettee OF three
appointed TO draft resolutions expressive OF the sense
of the meeting, and prepare memorial to the Leglsa
| ture the subject.
| The Chair designated Mesqrs John B. Whitehead f.
p Tabb, and j. Marsden Smith, the Committee, who
thereupon retired for consultation.
+. 4. Hardy, ESQ., suggested that in the absence Of
the Committee, those best posted up in the matter
should give the meeting all the light and information
that could be afforded. He did not mean to throw any
obstacle in the way of present action but anxious
that position should be fully stated aud understood
He had never the bill and there might be others
ignorant as h. was of its exact provisions.
The Chairman explained the nature of the bill, and
read synopsis of its Objectionable features given in
the Richmond papers, and also the action of the mer-
chants OF Richmond Wheeling, Sc-with reference TO it,
Mr. Hardy was satisfied unless there was something
behind this action of the Legislature Of which
apprzed that the law could scarcely receive support
from any but whose minds were in state of inSani
ty.
Mr.. Henry Ghselin concurred N the view taken by
Mr. Hardy He would like to have the bill read if there
was a copy in the hands ofthe meeting.
The Chairman explained that our present action was
based upon the understanding of the b gathered from
the action of the merchants of Richmond At the requ
of gentleman him, he would read the memoria.
adopted by them.
The Chairman here read the eloquent and conclusive
protest of The Richmond merchants which, at It's close,
was warmly applauded.
The Committee appointed TO Prepare resolutions &c,
having returned Mr.. Tabb on behalf of the Com
mtec submitted the following preamble and resolu-
tons:
Whereas There is now pending before the Legislature
of Virginia Tax Bill in which is Incorporated odious
discrimination against the Mercantile interest Of the State
and whereas but discover in tins effort 20 OPP
press the class Of citizens TO which belong, a cOnnu
alton or renewal Of the mkiudnes3s often manifested
towards profession and whereas tax paying citi
entitled to be embraced in the provision of
uniform and equal taxation recognised cardinal prin
cple in our bill. of rights, therefore,
Eesoired, That the Tax Bill now pending before the
Legislature, WLch the merchant Is dS-seu NJ per
cent upon the amount of his sales of goods no;
featured within or imported directly into the State is
discrimination odiousand oppressive, 20 amount TO
prohibition.
Rssoir,d That the feeling eynced in thi, endeavor TO
burden still more the Mercantile interest is but going
stride further in the auti-comercl policy of the state
aud will result certainly in breaking up those who
MAN, driving out Of her borders the capital and ener
gy of the profession thai cause is followed by effect
Hesoir,i, That az tax paving citizens Of Virginia, We
a.. Hoo
Of whatever profession the protection Of her laws and
as it is provided that all taxation shall be uniform and
equal soemnly protest against the tax sought to be
imposed.
Resoiycl That by virtue of the rights secured to us
will should this obnoxious provision of the Tax Bill
be continued and become law, pledge ourselves each
the other TO resist it by all constitutional means, and
TO the last extremity.
EesoireR That copies Of the foregoing resolutions he
transmitted TO our Delegate aud Senator with the re-
quest that they be presented their respective bodies
The following memorial prepared by the Committee
for signature by the merchants Of Norfolk also sub
mitted by the Chairman, Mr.. Whitehead.
NORFOLK, Va. March 18th, 1860.
10 tie Honorable tie Members Of he
Senate and House Of Delegates:
The undersigned, Merchants of the City OF Norfolk
beg respectfully represent that the Tar proposed to
be leve upon those engaged in trade in Virginia while
il cannot correct the evil sought be reached will ope
rate so dsa-rOusy upon the entire mercantile interest
as to force to seek some other place tolerant
outside the State and thus initiate against the interest
only OF the State by withdrawing from her the
which the present onerous license tax affords, but
indirectly affecting the large class OF citizens who,
gased az producers from the soil seek the Merchant
the medium through which the sale of and settlement
Tor, their products il accomplished.
Your memOrialists further beg to represent that the
present condition of manufactures regards ability
supply quantities and variety of such articles go to
make up the assortment usually kept by merchants
entirely repudiaes the idea OF relying upon them; and
while your memorialists in common with every friend
of Virginia desire to her largely engaged in manu-
featuring and her manufactures h0urshing they prefer
20 it, not the result OF protection OF one interest
TO the oppression of another but rather as the evidence
of the skill OF her artizans and their ability to meet
and overcome competition from any and every quarter
In addition your memorasts beg further to state, that
in importing from abroad as in our purchases at home
there should be exercised that liberty and discretion
which only tolerate but enon upon all men to buy
where they can buy cheapest and sell where they can
sell dearest aud any legislation which seeks TO force the
trading community counter to this niieXibe law OF trade
and is subversive of the principle OF equal and uniform
taxation, will be, it deserves 70 be- not only dsre
garded, but put at open defiance
In conclusion, your memoriaist beg that the odious
and unequal feature Of the Tax Bill assessing one per
cent upon the sales may be stricken out and that mer
chants may be taxed as other citizens are, Hpon the
amount If their copjtal-thus encouraging those among
remain and by this wise policy inviting capital and
energy from abroad to aid in building up the trade
we have and retaining that which has been lost
At tue suggestion of Alex. Bell, Esq, clause was
inserted in the memorial asking in addition to the with
drawal Of the Objectionable feature Of the BILL that the
merchants may be taxed other citizens aie, on the
amount of their capital invested
The resolutions and memorial being put to vote were
unanimously adopted
Subsequently, Stephen Bonsal Esq, moved a recon-
sideraon Of the 4th resolution. II seemed to express
threat which might impair the force Of the accompany
ing memorial.
II. II Chamberlaine, and Charles Reid, Esqrs took
the sane view OF it. Other gentlemen opposed the re-
consideration.
Henry Irwin, Esq, thought the resolutions should
stand as they were He would not only threaten, but
would he willing to do fathers did before MS when
visited with unjust and oppressive taxation.
Mr.. Bonsal explained that his motive was one OF poll
cy alone. Though not ''an Old Campagner," it would
be found when the time for action came, that he was
ready to do all that the resolution threatened lie had
said he would never to pay such tax as that
imposed in this BILL and such his determined pur
pose.
The motion for reconsideration was lost.
resolution was adopted directing that copies OF the
resolutions and memorial of this meeting, signed by the
merchants present be the Senator aud Delegate
in the Legislature from this city, to be laid before their
respective bodies.
On motion of W. D.-Reynolds Esq,
ResolDed, That the proceedings OF this meeting be
published in the papers of this city, and that the news
papers Of the State friendly to the movement be request
ed to copy
Ca notion the meeting then adjourned.
KADER BlGGS, President
WN f. FosTEr, Secretary.
THIRTY-sIXTH OONGR EsS.-First Session.
MONDAY, March 10.
Two Executive messages were received from the Presi-