The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-06-12
The Bounty Tax.
May %, 1868

The County Commissioners have laid tax
for the purpose Of paving the bounty promised
by individuals to the soldiers. This tax will be
little heavier than that assessed for county
purposes for the last fiscal year. The reason
why the Commissioners laid tax to raise the
bounty money, was simply and purely Of an
economical nature. Had they borrowed the
money, debt of S25, 100000 would have been
created, upon which the people would have been
compelled to pay yearly interest Of 81, 10000!
And it was deemed less oppressive for the peo-
pie 70 pay S25, 100000 now, than that sum, with
$7,500.00 interest added thereto FIVE years after
date The Commissioners proceeded upon the
principle laid down by that eminent political
economist, DR.. Franklin, to wit: ePAY AS
YOU Cor They came to the wise conclusion
that what can be done to-day should not be de-
ferred till tomorrow. Meanwhile, be it under
stood, that law passed by the late Legislature
compels the Commissioners to pay the bounty
and that under this law this tax has been levied
We publish the act in another column.
The Bedford Inqlirer of last week, with char
acteristic unfairness, uses the following language
in regard to the action of the Commissioners:
'sThe Comprehend portion of the Commission
ers which constitute the majority seemed very
loath to make any provisions to pay those noble
patriots who were willing 10 sacrifice everything,
and had the act been susceptible of nugatory
tba.u hos ~ hu .x,,f
as little indifference as the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania would pronounce upon its uncon-
stitutionality. When it was satisfactorily as
certained that the law must be carried into ex-
ecution, by the advice of the Copperhead fra
ternity generally they determined to make it as
OPPRESSIVE, OBNOXIOUS and hurttul as
possible, by levying the whole amount Of tax to
be raised at single assessment"
Now, in order that the Inquirer mans mouth
may be forever stopped on this subject, we chal-
lenge him to deny that Mr.. Feightner, the Gre
publican" member of the board, fully conceded
with the Democratic Commissioners in the course
Of action adopted. He knows that the conclu-
sion at which the board arrived was unanimous.
He knows that Mr.. Feightner was warmly in
favor of the policy of levying and collecting the
tax Immediately. He raises the cry of "oppres-
sion" only because he trembles at the prospect
Of the people realising what the war, as con-
dactsd by his party friends, is bringing upon the
country. He would like to have the evil day
put of, so that he can continue to point out the
blessings Of an Abolition administration.
He says further that the Commissioners were
"ofered Sl6000.00, at interest not exceeding
the legal rate," and that ''they were told that if
they would accept this prohered loan, the State
would step in inside of five years and pay the
principal and interest" What assurance had
the Commissioners that the State would 'sstep
in" and s'pay the principal and INTEREST,"" None
whatever. There are enough counties in the
State in which no bountios were offered, to de-
feat the passage of any bill having in view this
object. Again. the proffered loan would not
have been sufficient, by at least SO, 100000, to
pay the bounty. Hence, in order that the SOL
diers might rs soon as possible receive this mon
sy, 20 long promised them, the Commissioners
dssmed it best at once to levy tax for the
whole amount thereof
The Inquirer man may frat and fume and bel
low and bawl, but it will not do him or his par
~ any good. Had hs md they acted honestly
with the soldiers and With the people, the boun-
ty would hava been paid long aso. For instance