Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-08-27
The Tax Bill OF the Confederate States'

Congress at RichtnOnd ecenlDtS ifoiu tsAa''oh "i
heads of families whose property does mol a
mount TO rhore than five hundred dollars IN val
ue. To those who are possessed OF such small
amount of this .'wo Ids gear, the stern tax-coi-
lector has no ferrors-they can welcome his ap-
prosch with smile, as they are so well OH as
to be entirely' independent Of his "horse ieeob
demands which hoarsely and harshly cry, ''giVe
give !"-pay your taxes or your property mast
be scld.
Persons vino own property, the value OF
which is more than five hundred dollars, are re
qu;red to pay direct tax of fifty cents for every
hundred dollars value thereof. In addition to
this, they will have to pay State tax ofJ0ry
cents on every hundred dollars value-the two
making the heavy direct tax of ninety cents on
exery handred dollars value of property. Many
of those vino have much taxable property will
find that they are too poor 10 pay their ta1es.-
The kind and generous poor viii feel sympathy
for their wealthy neigiibors who may find them
selves in this embarrassing predicament.
| As this tax is necessary to enable US to defend
ali that is dear to us-our rights, liberties. homes
I or complain, bus that all will pay their taxes
willingly and cheerfully, as voluntary contribu-
I tions to the common defence. Let the North see
Ethat we are in earnest-tilat our hearts are In
the cause Of Southern independence we
are willing to give of our means as we'll as to
Tspill our blood-that there is no murmurng at
heavy taxation-that we pay them cheerfuy as
SO much voluntary sacrifice upon the altar of
Southern independence. The tax may seem
heavy and burdensome, but like bread cast upon
the waters, it will return in blessings increased
hundred fold afte- many days.
The fourth section of the tax bill is as follows
THAT for the special purpose of paying the
principal and Interest of the pub ic debt. and of
supporting the Government, war tax shall be
assessed aud levied of fifty cents upon each one
hundred dollars in value of the following prop.
erty in the Confederate States, namely: Real
estate OF all kinds; slaves; merchandise bank
stocks; railroad and other corporation stocks :
money at interest, or invested by Individuals. In
the purchase of bills, notes, an other securities
for money, except the bonds Of the Confederate
States of America, and cash on hand, or on de.
post in bank or elsewhere; cattle, horses and
mules; gold aud silver plate; pianos and pleas
| ure carriages: Provided, however, that when
the taxable property, herein above enumerated.
of any head of family is of value less than i've
hundred dollars, such taxable property shall be
| exempt from taxation under this act: and Droyi
6ed further, that the property of colleges and
schools, and OF charitable or religious corpora
tions or associations actually used for the pur
pose for Which such colleges, schools, corpora
tons, or associations were created, shall be ex
!. IGrl i
Jurther, that sll public lands and eli property
owned by a State for public purposes be ezempt
from taxsticn."
The fifth section provides that each State shal
constitute tax district, over which shall be ap
pointed by the President, to hold his office one
year at salary of So 600, chief collector whe
will divide the State into convenient collection
f districts.
5 "The said chief collector shall with the appro
baton OF the Secretary of the Treasury, appoin
tax collector for each collection district who's
! duty 1t shall be to cause an assessment to b.
made, on or before the first day of Novembe
aext, of all the taxable property in his district
included in each of the a5ove mentioned classe
: Of property and the persons then owning or il
possession thereof.
/ The 7sh section provides that if any person
shall give false or fraudulent list of his proper
: ty. lie shall be fined in sum not exceeding fv
: hundred dollars, to be recovered in any court O
t competent jurisdiction.
Sec. 8. SAny person who shall fail to delive
20 the collector Or assessor list of his taxabl
q property ct the time prescribed by him. shal
} be liable to double tax upon all his taxabl
a property; the same to be assessed by the collec
tor or assessor, and to be collected ia the sam,
! manner and by the same process as is hereii
< provided as to the single tax
: Sec. 8. The lists shall be made in reference Il
the value and situation Of the property on th
first day of October next and shall be made out
completed and delivered into the hands of eacl
t of the tax collectors on the first day of Decem
ber, hear and determine all appeals from th
, said assessments, as well as applications TOR th'
: reduction Of q double tax, when such tax may
haYe been incurred to single tax which de
termination shall be final.
9 Sec. 10. The several tax collectors shall, on o.
before the first day Of February ensuing, furnisl
to the chief collector Of the State in which hi
district is situated, correct and accurate list
: all the assessments made upon each person in BIZ
{ district, and of the amount of tax to be paid b,
such person, specifying each object of taxation
and the said chief collector shall coate the same
in proper form and forward the colleted lists tt
the Secretary of the Treasury.
Sec. Ii. The said several collectors shall, or
the first day of May next, proceed to collect from
every person liable for the said tax the amounts
= severally due and owing, and he shall previous !
n give notice for twenty days in one newspaper, i
ally be Published in his district, and by notifica
tons in at 'east four public places in each town
ship, ward or precinct within bis district, of the
time and place at which he will receive the So
tax; and on failure to pay the same, it shall be
the duty of the collector within twenty DAYS af
a ter tbe first day of May aforesaid, by himself oil
bis deputies, to collect the said tax by distress
and sale OF the goods, chattels or effects of tbs
persons delnqnens.
This section forbids the sale of the tools OF
Implements of trade, or profession, beast of the
3 plough, and farming utensils necessary for the
cultivation of improved lands, arms, OF such
household furniture or apparel as may be ueees-
: sary for family. rat asisf
Sec. y. That if the tax assessed On anY real
estate shall remain unpaid on the first day 0.
June next, the tax collector Of the district where
in the same is situated shall on the first Monday
of July thereafter, proceed to sell the same, or
suffieiency thereof, at public auction, to the
highest bidder, to pay said taxes, together with
twenty per centIm on the amount Of said taxes,
and cos.s of sale.
Proaaded, that the owner or superintendent OF
} the property aforesaid, before the same shsll
have been actually sold, shall be allowed to pay
the amount or The tax thereon, with an addition
OF ten per centum On the same; on The payment
of which the eala Of tho cold