The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-01-03

Commerce, agriculture and manufactures
are the great elements of business, wealth,
and prosperity. Destroy one, and all suf.
fer; destroy two. and poverty will certain.
ly follow.
The general introduction of railroads has
transferred the profits Of the carrying trade
to New York, Boston and London.
Our Legislature, discriminating as it does,
against capital and manufacturing compa
MES, drives both from the State.
Michigan has 6Oc. of bank capital, and
Sl466 of manufacturing products per head,
while Rhode Island has sl36 bank capital,
and sSS Of manufactured products per head
annually. and Connecticut has $50 bank
capital, and s12O manufactured products
per head per annum.
We purchase almost every article of clo-
thing, furniture, groceries, and all our lux
uries, from the East. We 60 there for all
money and insurance.
What has made England great and pow
erful? Her commerce, agriculture. and
manufactures.
What has glutted the Golfers of France
during the last twenty years? The same
cause that has enriched England
Why is Germany more prosperous than
formerly! Because she protects and en-
courages her manufactures.
Why is the East more prosperous than
the West? Because the people sell more
than they purchase. All classes of her
people work, while one.half of ours are
idle.
Why is Pittsburgh rich Because she
manufactures s4O,OOO,OOO of commodities
to sell to the West
Why does Philadelphia prosper without
foreign commerce Because she manufac-
lures sl32, 100000 per annum. and has
built up great internal trade.
Why is Michigan destitute Of capital
and her inhabitants poor and in debt
Because her Legislature. together with that
of the general government, are unjust and
oppressive towards the owners of capital
Our native wealth and commercial position
is not excslled by any State in the Union,
while at the same time We are the poorest
and most dependent of them all With a
good State and National Legislature. Mich
igan would in ten years manufacture $780,
10000 per annum. and possess s5O,OOO,'
900 of cash capital. while her present Law;
will keep her a childish dependent on he1
wiser and more industrious sister States.
The most Insignificant town in man
ufacturing State possesses more cash capita
than the whole State Of Michigan. Pitts
burgh has over s1,1OO,O0O in coin in hel
banks, while Providence, town of 41.O0(
inhabitants, loans to its own citizens anc
others no less than s1S,OOO,O0O of cash
Look at these humiliating facts, and console
yourselves with the reflection that you
groundless prejudice against banks. capital
and manufacturing corporations has had th'
effect to drive from your State these thre,
political ghosts. leaving you in commercial
poverty and half your people enjoying tn
blessings of idleness. If the experience Q
other countries fail to impress us with thes
most important lessons, our own necessitie
may ultimately impart valuable truth
that the people will be slow to forget.
The taxes on the three leading Railroad
in the State, whose stock is worth on a
average of about 20 cents on every dolla
paid, together with the speciichxes on tn
four things called banks, and Dthe taxes o
a few feeble manufacturing corporation
that are still struggling for existence, SUI
port nearly the the entire State Govermen
leaving the great mass of property holde,
to pay only the township and county take
where they reside.
A bank in this city, with capital of NJ
over $500 600. pays tax Of 5000 for cha
tered privileges that are not worth acceptin
as gift. The only bar iron manufactor
you have in your State pays specific ia
Of 1880 per annum. while nearly th
same amount of capital in Illinois, whel
the laws discriminate in favor Of manufa
lures is taxed but s15O The tax in th
State is eight times as much as in Illinoi
on the same capital. If Pennsylvania le'
! led the same amount of tax on her railroad
. banks and manufacturing capital she woul
raise tax OIL these three items of 81
100000.
Hthe peopleiof Michigan expect prosper
ty under such crushing system they wi
surely be mistaken, for there are but fe
people who feel patriotic enough to briu
their money here for investment for tt
barren priviledge Of supporting Sta
Government, while all other classes Of pro-
erty holders are nearly exempt from i
burdens.
The provisions Of our absurd Constit'
ton practically prohibit fair and legitima
banking.
If any of our citizens want money the
make out mortgage on their bess prope