Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-20

a. TO- 2,7G0 q
Total .$Ss, SIC 3
White males over 2l.......i,2o
T Ian ~ ynl"e Of slsvrs at $500. 7,0aT,5 500 o.
~ roa = Lace 1852 81
IT. y o,bsr nersn,al nruperty.. 9,405 9
LA nrO Un other than slsrcs.... &C, ooe 6.
Horses ......... . ......3 b52
Cattle, sc ..........-...2,So23
Increased i'''4' .
HASorER
Total value of slaves At 5000. ...$4,7 42,U o =,
Increase Of tax on county 49,. i3,l4o w
nESRIco.
Total 7alue Of slaves a. $780,. oaf' uoo W
rnc,eos, Of tax on county ll,TsS A
THE STATE AT LARGE.
Total value of50O, QUO Mt $500. $3.50, 900, 900 o.
TOTAL Tux at 4Oc. on 500 Of
| value. i'ooo'"oo W
Tax on slaves in lS59....... &o,4oi "
Increase OF taxes on slave pro.
perry, if proposed alteration :,
in State constitution is made T'3,olZ ~
Il appesrs from these tables that the counties
| nj lEtCrlC unu 1 lta5u!IlS t'iiI1'i'SNt
ypcrepatc population Of q.T35 whites, pay I
a tax of Sill, 5S3 81, including the license tax
whilst the county Of Uenricc, which | repre-
sent on this floor, pays an aggregate stare 'as
of S5l,0S6 so; and the tax on personal pro-
perty, exclusive Of slaves, amounts tf
$40 39 q. being about one dollar per head
to each white ~inhnbitant; whilst in Peasants
and "Elenrico it amounts 10 less than ~ cent?
pe7 head. In the county Of Hanover, when IS
| chiefly IL grain growing county, the proportion
il about the same as in llenrIco; but IN the
counties Of Amelia and holloway, Chc district
Of my friend Mr.. I~AEvir,) which is more of a
planting country, and where tobacco Is inc
chief staple. the difference il still more marked.
In those counties the tax on personal properly
other than slaves, amounts 10 The very large
average If 81 SO to each white inhabl'ant. in
the whole State the tax on slaves in 1907 was
1926. 4S7 90, and If the proposed increase were
made, estimating the average value Ct slaves
ut $500 apiece, which is SIP T. head less
than they are o.. sessed at in Georgia for tax
alton, that tax would amount to 81 COZ, wv
In other words the s;urcllolding interest oil
the State would have to pay an increased TAX
Of sG7S Sig 10 per nnnum.
If | chose &c occupy the time OF the Con-
T~ention, | could show that the tax paid on
other species Of personal property in Eastern
Virginia, is as great az that paid in Western
Virginia We own elinoe: as many head o.
cattle. Certainly, in the ~courties where | haze
drawn comparisons, We OVID A larger number
Of horses than urc owned in the Western coun.
ties OF like population. Therefore, the present
system of taxation is rcai!y not unjust TO the
West also call the attention Of the Conven-
ton to the fact that this Convention has been
called mainly for the Purpusa OF securing pro-
lection to slave property, and say to gentle
men that the imposition ct this tex on young
negroes Suu!t hr \ more dangerous blow to
the institution ut slavery in the State OF lir-
ginie than any single act that could be done
by the government The imposition Of sG72,-
0uD u year as additional taxation on slave pro
perry, would be & far greater injury than the
lUss Of $780, 900 a year by fugitive slaves
winch is, I believe, the estimated loss in the
v hole Of the slsveh1lling States.
II seems To Inc that It would be most IN.
wise, now that we are attempting to secure
alsVc;proprrty, to inlet . 5low upon It which
vii inevitably drive it. 70 q certain extent,
from the Commonwealth OF Virginia. With
these Iel.aTks, | submit the question 10 the
CnnYention, Hri desiring to ds!ain then longer
at this late hour.
,Mr. llAYNoSD-l am exceedingly anxious to
haze Q vote taken On this question. Ii InuTe!y
proposes q committee Of inquiry ~ - whether
the constitution should bs amended. The
original resolution has heca changed So rs 70
sI.ow an opportunity ior gentlemen 10 consult
with their constituents on the subject | de-
lnand the previous Question.
The previous question was acccn'ied.
Mr. NELsoX-l desire. if il Ln in order, to
stute my position.
Mr.. SrAFLks- Can the gentleman discuss the
merits OF the Question On ;hs call Tor tn5
previous question
The PRssIDEST-lt is not il order to 80 into
the general mlrils Of The matter, but II Ii IN
order to alluds 10 The "riS,ro, resolution to
snow why the debate should be continued
Mr. NELsoS-l hope gentlemen viii lis
ten 10 my remarks before undertaking TO
OBJECT to them. | wish 10 represent my reo-
pie correctly, and | know that they we're 30
much occupied at the Sine Of my election IN
the consideration Of !ed-ls! questions, luat
they never thought Of this question Ut all
Still ! AIN perfectly willing to vote ler tue
amendment | believe Iiy people have already
70 pay as much tax IS they can afford 10 pay,
and | shall vote against anything thet NIL
tend 10 increase their burdens. With the ex'
caption Of the county Of Jefferson, Thy county
pays d larger PER capita tax in proportion 10
its white population, than any other county III
the State. We pay 81 10 per capita while the
county If MoncngsiiA pays 81 b.. 1t is because
| know that my people are fully burdshe,i ~
the way Of taxes, that ] shall oppose an? ihihG
having q tendency 10 increase their taxes.
Mr.. PAEEA-Mr. President, some days since
I presented the proceedings VI n public meet
ing in my county, in which they particularly
protested against this Contention taking any
action on any subject aside from that oil ieue'
raj relations. 1t was rot expected thet tE's
Convention would touch any ether question.
But iuasmuch lis this resolution is merely ohr
Of inquiry, without any design to take W lhr
question at this session, | shall vote Tor Il with
t .e under standing that the Committee will NOT
report ut the present sitting oil the Convention
but after the recess.
The main question was ordered, which was
on The adoption If the substitute, us follows
''Rcsolred, That i committee Of thirteen be
appointed to inquire inIo the rxpediency OF SO
amending the twentl-iecond and t"enty-th'ru
sections Of article iuur Of tho Constitution Of
Virginia, as 10 ~croynie that taxat!on Shall be
equa! and uniform throughout the Common
wealth, aud that al! property snall ba taxed in
proportion to its value
The substitute was adopted
The question rccurr~i On the resolution as
amended.
Mr.. Tuos. F.. GooDg called fir the ysas and
nays.
The yeas and nays we're ordered:
Mr.. BJIsssau.-l move TO alnerd the reso!u.
ton by adding 10 it .hrse words "wb'ch said
committee shall report Ut sn m!loIrntd uect'
Ing Of this Cun7cntlcE."
Several MEMBERs.-1het - understood
Mr.. BuIssgAU.-But | w&Gt i! expressed.
The question vas iuken an Mr.. EolSsEArs
atuenduisci and i vas art ass:"ed "a.
The unr> lion WAS taken NJ, tag :r>..Ih"t: a.
amended, ard u wa; .~irriia,l n the ai'irip 1--we
-scss By, nsys 2j-as .o!'e">:
7.ss -Mss-s. Jara-:, (p.- :,trli,l Ar1-tTGEs. aston,
Be- d.In. a. u. barbour, Hny!o:, lssrln, Bo:ssSs. BOYD,
f.n-H-