The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-05-16

/ out comment OF ldFtneE explanation.
The banks, it is true, pay annually tax
of one or enc and half per cent. into
the State treasury. but they are entirely
free from municipal l.urthens. Some of
the banks purport to do business nn $500,
600 90 or $500, 900 90 capital, when they
have really but half or two thirds that
sum. Such banks pay tax on their &C
| tual capital about equal to the mechanics,
! farmers and merchants of the State An
other class, however, who purport to do
business on a capital of from $4,000 90
to 100000 90, but really employ from
twice to five times these amounts in their
| business, get off at much less rate Of tax
alton than other personal property.
For the past few years a considerable
class Of large property holders in this State
declined to pay their taxes and after the
mass of their fellow citizens, who hold less
property and paid less taxes, have honestly
! paid theirs, these men have taken advan
tage Of some petty informally on the part
of assessing officers or of some imperfec-
ton in the laws. and had their own taxes
set aside by the Courts. In this way manv
! of the property holders in the State have
escaped paving their proportion of road,
school, and other necessary taxes Or in
other words, large property holders have
enjoyed all the advantages of an enighten
ed government at The expense of their less
fortunate neghbors, whose taxes we're not
! high enough to warrant them in feeling
lawyers to test their validity. 1t cannot
be expected that such condition of things
can be permitted to exist much longer.
If the large property holders continue
to appeal TO the courts, as they doubtless
will under the present order Of things, 20
relieve themselves from taxation in conse
quence of the constitutional inequality of
the assessments the small property hold
ers will club together and do the same,
and the result will be the State will be
left without revenue, and it will have open
ard practical reputation and anarchy
within its borders.
To this subject, the earnest attention
and vigorous action of the people Of this
State is invoked. 1t is one of deep inns
portance to them, that such public msve>
nents should behhad in relation to it as
will influence tbs course of t4e Legislature
at its approaching extra session. 1t is a
matter of just surprise hat a subject OF
such grave mportance-oue thai reaches
| the pockets and affects the value of the
property of all citizens-has been submit
ted to so long with So much patience
has elected so little public attention-and
that so few have taken the pains to satisfy
themselves Of the cause of the incubus
that has rested like nightmare upon and
paralyzed the prosperity Of, The industrial
portion of the people of Wisconsin.
Francis Heubschmann was instructed by
the committee to report tie following res
oIutions, which were adopted at the City
Hall tax meeting, and also some addition
al ones, all of which were adopted here
RESOLUTIONS.
Resslved, That we know that the Con-
stitution of the State requires taxes to be
uniform and that justice requires them tc
be equal; experience has shown that any
and every departure from these principles
is followed by mischief and disorder
Resolped, That we begin to question the
policy of discriminating by law in taxation
in favor of any class, interest or institu
ton, however mertoIious because expe
rience has shown that we cannot trust tht
discr etions of our Legislature in making
such Determinations, nor their firmness ii
resisting the opportunities, combined in
fuence and corrupt appliances of powerful
/. interests.
Resolvea, Thai the present law exempt
ing railroads from taxation, coupled will
!: he law passed AT the same time, requirin!
from them the payment for license to tn
State Is a plain and paipabe evasion 0
the spirit of the Constitution.
Resolved That when railroads were bu
r just commenced, were yielding DO revenue
t there was some show OF reason in ,hei
; claim to be relieved from a burtheusom
tax but now, however, it is manifest t
all that no property in this city or stat
yields sc rich revenue land that too i
years of business dePression,) and is s
, well able to pay fair tax, both local an
: general.
Resolred, That we disclaim any inten.
ton or wish to impose upon railroads
a more than their ust and reasonable shar
of the public burthen. and would urge III
2 OF the Legislature to remove the well
J founded complaint of unreasonable locs
5 assessments and local taxes by an assess
; ment of such property BY state officers az
: pointed for that purpose, and by limilin
the rate of local taxation as enioined )
the Constitution of the State.
L Resolved, That We re adopt the resoIu
e tions adopted at the meeting held at th
Market Hall on the 22i uIt
Resolced. That we are in favor of a re-
assessment of property, and re levy of ia,
es for the years since 1855, and that !
our opinion the mode of making the sau
to be provided for by law, should be I
simple and little expensive as possible, an
J that by the same, jnstice should be dor
! !; to those who paid their taxes.
. Reso!ved, That the Senators and Mem
bers of the Assembly from the county
O Milwaukee, are instructed to use all ho
4 orabls and fair means to procure at Il
adjourned session ofthe legislature in Jur
l next. the passage Of a law repeating all e.
o emptions from taxes and providing perfe
= / upiforrnitx of taxation