The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-03-19

MEETING OF THE MERCHANTS. On Satur
day last, agreeably to a notice in the paper.
of that day, an unusually large meeting o
the merchants of this city convened at II
O'Clock, at the Merchants and Mechanics
Exchange, to take into consideration the tax
proposed to be levied upon merchants by the
bill now in progress through the Lcgisla-
| ture.
We are unable, for want OF time, to give
more that synopsis of the proceedings. The
most determined spirit prevailed and the
protest and resolutions were adopted by ac-
| clamation.
The meeting was called to order by John
| B. Whitehead, Esq, and on his motion Col
kader Biggs, President of the Merchants q
| Mechanics Exchange, was appointed to pre-
side, and VIM. E. Foster, Esq, requested to
act as Secretary.
The Chairman stated that the meeting bad
been convened for the purpose of giving ex-
preston to the sentiment of the mercantile
interest in this com nunity, with reference
to thu ubiquitous tax proposed to be laid
under the bill now before the Legislature, on
the merchants of Virginia. In th is respect
the new tax bill was odious and objectiona-
Bile in the extreme. 1t Disseminated ruin,
ously against the merchant, and the very
principle of selEpreservaton should impel
him to protest with earnestness and deter.
mination against its final enactment.
On motion Of Mr.. Whitehead, committee
of three was appointed to draft resolutions
expressive of the sense of the meeting, and
prepare memorial to the Legislature on the
subject
The Chairman designated Messrs. John B.
Whitehead, E. p. Tabb, and j. Marsden
Smith, as the Committee, who thereupon re-
tired for consultation.
r. 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 OBJ
stace in the way Of present action, but was
anxious that our position should be fully
stated and understood. He had never seen
the bill and there might be others as igno-
rant as he was of its exact provisions.
The Chairman explained the nature of the
bill, and read synopsis of its Objectionable
features as given in the Richmond papers,
and also the action of the merchants of Rich
mond, Wheeling, &c.,-with reference to it.
Mr. Hardy was satisfied, unless there was
something behind this action of the Legisla-
ture of which we are not appraised, that the
law could scarcely receive support from any
but men whose minds were in state of in
sanity.
Mr.. Henry Ghiselin eoncurred in the view
taken by Mr.. Hardy. He would like to have
the bill read, if there was copy in the hands
of the meeting.
The Chairman explained that our present
action was based upon the understanding of
the bill as gathered from the action OF the
merchants of Richmond At the request of
gentleman near him, he would read the
memorial adopted by them.
The Chairman here read the eloquent and
conclusive protest of the Richmond mer-
chants, which, at its close, was warmly ap-
plauded.
The committee appointed to pr epare reso-
buttons, &C., having now returned, Mr..
Tabb, on behalf OF the committee submit
ted the following preamble and resolutions !:
Whereas; there is now pending before the
Legislature Of Virginia, Tax Bill, in which
is Incorporated an OdiOus Discrimination
against the Mercantile interest OF the State,
and, whereas, we can but discover in this
effort to Cypress the class of citizens to
which we belong, continuation or renewal
OF the unkindness so often manifested to-
wards our profession; and, whereas, as tax
paying citizens we are entitled to be embra-
ced in the provision of uniform and equal
taxation, recognized as cardinal principle
in our bill Of rights, therefore
Resolved, That the Tax Bill, now pending
before the Legislature, in which the mer-
chant is assessed at one per cent. upon the
amount OF his sales of goods not manufac-
tured within or imported directly into the
State, is q discrimination so odious and OPP
rressive, as to amount to prohibition.
Resolved, That the feeling evinced in this
endeavOr to burden still more the Mercantile
interest, is but going stride further in the
anti-commerclal policy of the State, and will
result as certainly in breaking up those who
remain, or driving out of her borders the
capital and energy o. the profession as that
cause is followed by effect.
Resolved, That as tax paying citizens OF
Virginia, we have guaranteed to US IN
common with our fellow citizens Of whatev-
| er profession, the protection of her laws,
| and, as it is provided that all taxation
| shall be uniform and equal, We solemnly
protest against the tax sought to be impos-
ed.
Resolved, That by virtue of the rights Sc
cured to us, we will, should this obnoxious
provision of the tax bill be continued and
| become q law, pledge ourselves, each to the
other, to resist it by all constitutional means
| and to the last extremity.
| Resolved, That copies of the foregoing res.
| olutions be transmitted to our Delegate and
| Senator, with the request that they be pre-
| sented to their respective bodies.
! The following memorial, prepared by the
| Committee for signature by the merchants of
Norfolk, was also submitted by the Chairman,
| MIR. Whitehead.
NORFOLK, VA, March 18th, 1860.
TO the Honorable the Members Of the
Senate and House Of Delegates:
| The undersigned, Merchants of the City Of
the Iqs, proposed to be levied upon those