The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-07-31
DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE AID VA
LOREN TAX GATHERER AND THE
WORKING MAN.

How many COWS do you own?
Two cows aod two calves.
How many hogs have you?
Two sows, eleven pi IS and thirteen shoats.
How many bedstcads in yopr house.
Only two.
How many axes, hoes, spades, shovels, ploughs,
rakcs and other farming mpements, have you!
| have two wedding hoes, one grubblng hoe,
one good axe, one spade, one shovel, two plowS,
one rake cart, one set Of plough gear, one set
of cart harness, and some old plumber that can t
describe.
How many looms, wheels, cotton cards, bobbns,
slavs and harness have you?
Well my old woman has one loom, one pair of
cotton cards, one spinning wheel for herself and
for little Sallie, pair Of cotton cards, twen
tyve bobbins three Stays aud two sets of harness;
inded we have right smart of these little things
that my wife needs in spinning and weaving cloth
for the family.
Well see a number of fowls about your yard?
o, yes: we have right smart Of ducks and chick
ems, but wife has had bad luck with her geese this
ycar--she has now only eleven.
Ha. here some goats and sheep, who do they
belong to?
Well believe they are mine-those two old
goats were given to little Sae, a present by
her uncle Bob and she has got smart chance Of
EN-.
Well my dear sir, you live pretty wcll-herc is
Il cider-nill, and old buggy?
O, yes, that cder-n is right useful grind
up my apples aud make cider, and sell it at courts
and musters, at leisure times and it helps II CHIT
smart in buying coffee, sugar and molasses, and
some times, calico dress for my wife and little
Sallie
| see, too, you have got some nice furniture
here is six new split bottomed chairs and four old
ones two nice pine tables, two pots one oven, one
spider, one kettle six cups and five saucers, one
coffee pot six teaspoons four knives and five forks
eight dinner plates, two table cloths one bed, one
mattrass, one cot, five sheets, one bolster, three
pillows four pllow-cases, three calico dresses, two
hoop-skirts, four towels, three pair of stockings,
and by the by, here are two 'tin cHps!'
Look here fellow, | took you for gentleman,
when | first spoke to you, but | find you amt
What have you to do with my beds and my bed
seads, my wife's dresses, her plates, her sheets,
her furniture and her tin cups. You had better
be off and your bacon!
All, my dear sir, I'm your friend-Im just tax
ing list of your things in order that | may
tain the amount of your taxes
Taxes, You say? | hain't paid cent of taxes
these three years; | was forty-fve years old the
fifteenth of January 1856; and, thank God, I'm
off the tax list-the balance of my days
All, friend you're mistaken--John Pool is elect
ed Ad valorem is now the law; ''all species Of
property is now taxed in proportion to its value,
and you must pay tax every thing that you
own. OF course You will rejoice with John Pool,
and the Opposition that Democracy is defeated.
You are now prepared, suppose to take the
prescribed oath and set value on every species
of property you possess. 1t may be unpleasant
to you to have your again recorded on the
tax list where it will remain for life, after having
been off it for three years, but you will chez rfuy
pay small tax, | know, as long as you live, just
for the sake of having beaten the democracy?
No, stree. won't. You and John Pool and al
valOrem are a set of humbugs, but you can't come
it over me. I'll vote for Gov. Ellis and the De-
mocracy and keep my name off the tax list.
Exit ad valorem tax gatherer, with lightwood
knot whzzing past his ear.