The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-12-07
THE DIRECT TAX

Inc people OF missouri are taxing steps,
by means of memorial and petition. to
procure 3 remission of the direct tax for
national purposes. levied by Congress at
its late session. assigning as reason that
the war has utterly ruined portions of their
State, and that it will be utterly impossible
to collect the tax in the manner and time
prescribed by law. There would seem to
be more and better reasons why Kansas
should ask to be relieved from the payment
of this direcs tax. IEa
The amount apportioned to Kansas is
seventy one thousand seven hundred and
forty three dollars, the payment of which
must be made by the 18th of June, 1869,
under certain prescribed penalties, and two
modes are pointed out whereby this tax may
be collected. One mode is that the State
may assume the payment of its quota of
the tax and assess and collect in its own
way; the other is that the Secretary Of the
Treasury may appoint assessors, and col
lectors for the purpose of assessing, appor
tioning and collecting the same. 1t is per-
haps unnecessary TO add that this tax
must be paid in gold and silver. 1
That the State cannot assume the pay
ment of this amount is obvious, for the
reason that there is 10 money in the Treas
ury, and the State has not the credit abroad
to procure loan as is evident by the refu-
sal last spring of New York bankers to ne
gotiate Kansas bonds at any price,
The alternative, then, must be the course
pursued, and then arises the question, can
the people of Kansas pay nearly seventy
TWO thousand dollars by the 18th day Of
June, 1869.
In all newly settled countries after the
first food tide of emigration, and with it
money, comes the ebb, and this had pretty
efectually commenced in 1859; and what
little money was left in the country was
swallowed by the drouth Of 1860. In con-
sequence of the raw head and bloody bones
stories told about the drouth of last year,
that Kansas was an arid desert, &C., max
ing matters appear much worse than they
really were, and by reason of the present
troubles, no emigration has come in, and
but little business has been done in the
year 1861, and at the present time there is
no market fol the crop the farmer has grown
this season. e1#
Hence we say that it will be utterly
impossible for the people of Kansas to pay
this tax in the time and manner prescribed,
and we venture the assertion that not one
man in five will be ready to pay his proper
ton when called upon so to do. This be-
ing the case it must be collected by levy
and sale, thereby involving sacrifice of
property for third or perhaps one half
its value. It is an old adage that blood
cannot be obtained from turnip, and it is
hardly possible to get money where there is
none. 1t would seem hardly equitable that
the people of Kansas should be harrassed
and their property sacrificed in the manner
indicated, after the exertions our gallant
young State has made in behalf of the Gen
eral Government, having at least five men
in the field in proportion to her population
where any other State has che.
1t is therefore suggested that our citizens
petition the Legislature to memorable
Congress to remit this tax; or, if it must be
paid. to modify the payment in such man
ner as to render it's collection practicable;
and also to instruct our Congressional del
egation to urge this matter upon Congress
and the Administration R.