The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-01
A IN T PA UL.
Delayed Communications.

partial hearing, we are compelled to- con-
dense their favors into the smallest possible
space. --, ---
RRTRENCHMENT AND REFoRM-TAxEs.-
"Merrimac," sends us forcible communion
ton on this subject, in which he advocates
poll tax Of one dollar upon every voter in
the State. He argues that real estate will
be without value, and capital will always
avoid US, 20 long as the taxes swallow up
the income of property. Notwithstanding
the great reduction made, taxes in Ramsey
county now amount to two per cent, while
in Kentucky with all the railroad improve
ments undertaken, they amount to but four
mills on the dollar. In Georgia, taxation
is still less. One consequence Of this differ
ence in taxation is, that the bonds of Ken
lucky are among the highest in the Union,
while those of Minnesota rank among the
lowest. "What can be done to remedy
this 2" Merrimac says:
Our taxes are leVleu Oh properly iAstoou VI
persons. This is unfair and unequal. Persons
are as much protected as property by our laws.
Persons enjoy the advantages OF our courts,
our legislatures, and our schools fully as much
as PROPERTY. They feed from the public crib,
and pay nothing for the privilege.
A tax of one dollar on each voter would place
100000 into the Treasury-more than one-half
the amount required to support the State gov
eminent. This tax is levied in almost every
other State except in Minnesota, and is called
a poll tax. 1t is equal in its operations, and
certainly very low price for the sovereignty
of the citizen, the protection OF the govern
ment, and the education of our children.
If our State, counties and cities should place
our tax laws on the basis of persons as well as
propertu. the present taxes on property might
be reduced almost one-half, and then those
who enjoy the blessings would also bear q
share of the burdens of government. which now
is not the case. Then all would be on an
equality-property owners paying according
to their property, and every voter like every
other voter. -..-
Now, gamblers, fancy men, transient floating
voters, gentlemen of leisure who are shrewd
enough to live by their wits, and own nothing
in reach of our tax laws, the thousands VINO
are well off, and yet do not own over and above
their debts, 5000 of property subject to taxation
all these are now supported by those VINO o
are unlucky enough to own real estate. even IL
their debts are more than their property.
One man with six children at our public
schools pays not one cent for the privilege;
while another not worth a dollar more than
him if his debts were paid, and without single
child at school, pays $40, $50, or $ioO year
for the support of schools. He does SO not
because he is richer than the other man, for II
his debts were paid he is poorer, but because
his property is real estate---no deduction Deing
made for mortgag GEES and liabilities. The other
man NAV have one hundred thousand dollars
loaned out, but this being personal properly ne
pays only on what he is worth after deducting
his debts. And the experience OF ta0se WIZ
have charge of these taxes, is that men swear
their personal property down to very COM
Portable figure when the assessor comes
around. They deduct their debts. They may
own million dollars in real estate IN other
states. and nothing but personal property mere.
They may be rich and yet pay not dollar 1or
the blessings of law, government and educa'
ton ENJOYED at the expense of their neighbors.
Now if Republicans are in earnest IN Delievlng
in sexual rights (amopg whites as well as
blacks) let us have 'reform" in this matter OF
taxation.
We heartily endorse the suggestion OF
a poll tax, and commend the measure to the
careful consideration Of the Legislature.
SHALL WE HAVE A DEMOCRATIC STATE
CONVENTION "A radical Democrat, no'o
that the Republicans have not merely shown
their utter incapacity to save the Union,
but have evinced perverse determination
to destroy it, by rejecting all compromise
and Cancellation, advocate the assembling OF
a State Convention of the Democracy OF
Minnesota, and of all true Union men. Our
correspondent well says that if the Democ-
racy of the Northwest are to shake hands
with the Republicans, and join with them in
an internecine war upon the South, it ought
not, it must not, be in advocacy of the un>
constitutional doctrines Of the Chicago plat
form. We must not allow the Republicans
to inAict upon us the curse OF a civil war,
until all measures Of Cancellation and neces-
sary concession have been exhausted until,
at least, the Crittenden compromise, or some
other peaceful adjustment Of the matters in
controversy, has been fairly rendered to the
South. 1t will be time enough to talk Of
war when the South shall have refused to
meet us in the spirit lofo Cancellation and
compromise. Our correspondent tbensays:
That Convention of the Democracyof this
State is imperatively demanded, abundantly
anpears from all that is passing around us.
The exigency is pressing the peril is imml.
nent. It is of vital importance that the hands
of all the noble patriots who are laboring 70
preserve the integrity of 0nr common country
End. it's glorious Institutions, should be upheld
bv the knowledge that with them are many
co-laborers, who sympathise; cooperate with,
and win sustain them in their work and labor
Of love, and that no misapPrehension' OF the
position of the Democracy should be made tc
Contribute aid and comfort to the factlous pur'
noses of those would sacrifice the country up
On the altar of the Chicago platform. Inc time
IL anspicious. At st. Louis, at New YORK, a.
Baltimore, and in most OF the great cues
north and south, large meetings nave peel
held, oil agreeing with singular unsnimlIy ina
the Union must be preserved; and preserved
not by coercion and by war, but by just ant
honorable compro15Ase. al is9ia.e ,Ei
The Democracy of Illinois, following the lea'
of the gallant Douglas, have as one man com
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