The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-01-15

have carefully watched the operations of
this law. la is rot sufficient for its pur-
poses. | cordially approve the recon-
menda'ion OF Governor Tod for the in
crease OF the tax but in INV judgment
that increase should be even greater than
he proposes, in order TO do justice alike
to our soldiers and our people. The ad-
vance in the cos, OF living has reached the
neceesaries of life as well as the luxuries.
The increase OF wages does not reach the
labor OF dependent women, with children
to clothc, feed and educate. TIE amount
saved from their scanty pay, and sent
home by our soldiers. though large in the
aggregate, is very small in rs distribu.
ton among those Tor whom it is designed.
When this revenue, and the proceeds OF
the tax, are added together, there is still
a large amount dependent upon private
bounty, to meet the actual wants of this
class ct people, and ward off positive suf.
fering. | have not been able to collect
the statistics MS extensively as | desired
but in many counties OF ,he State the
private collections for soldiers families
have considerably exceeded, and in some
cases doubled the amount OF the tax -
Even in these cases the object has not
been fully accomplished. 1t is argued
that II is better to continue thus TO divide,
between Stale and people, this con,ribu.
lion so that in what one fails the other
viii make good. The true and just re.
Spouse is {:
Ist. That il the State acknowledges
this obligation to the family of the absent
soldier, she should meet it as a compen-
satlon for bis services, and in q manner
fully equal TO the necessities Of the case.
q. Private contribution is DOT equita-
bic in its character, and cannot be adjusted
TO the property and interests that ere pro.
tected by our armies. The generous will
give beyond their actual abilities, while
the parsimoDiou7, or the opponent of the
war, will Withhold, from pecuniary or un-
patriotic considerations. Taxation alone
will equalize Ibis hur,hen, and impose it,
where it should rest, upon the property
protected by the services that the reve-
nue. is intended 10 compensate. II the
additional levy increases The taxation OF
generous contributors, it relieves them
from a larger amount OF private bounty,
and imposes it upon the non. contributors,
where it should fall. Even when the
State assumes the entire support of sol.
dier's families, there will be scope enough
for private contributions 10 alleviate the
p%riva,ions and sullerings of sick, disabled
and wounded men, in hospitals and at
home.
3. The fo,m Of private charity is not
always acceptable to its recipients, and
especially the class to whom this is appli.
cable. Much suffering and privation will
be endured before PRIDE will suffer ap,
piication to private charity, where there
is a consciousness hat %meri,orious seryi.
ces of the absent rroyider should prompt.
ly call the State TO the protection and
support Of his dependent family. We
should divest this fund of the appeIlation
of charity. 1t is no: such, in any appli-
cation Of the term. 1t is an honest debt,
and an imperative duty, that we owe the
men who are serving us in positions OF Ia.
Dor and danger. They save us from in
vasion,-from TIE destructive ravages of
war within cur borders. While they
press the conques's OF our army for the
restoration o ! our Government, they pro.
tect our property and our lives they are
the consefvators OF all the prosperity that
surrounds us. They are actuated by n
higher and nobler motive and while
they incur privations, danger and death
for the common cause, the State should
not ouly protect their families from want,
but make an act one of right and %jus.iul
compensation, instead Ct burlhening it
with the offensive appellation of charity.
Neither should it be governed by tho rig.
id cconomy of nero subsistence. 1t should
DO at loast such plenty and comfort as the
stalwarth urm of tho natural prOvider would
furnish them, it he wore at home to do il,
instead of iaboring in our own service, to
ward calamitics from our hearlhstonos.
In my judgment, three mills on the
dollar IS the least sum at which this tax
should be fixed, and | would prefer to see
it four mills. The patriotic people of the
State will cheerIully pay it. ard justify
you Tor imposing it. The act should also
require County Commissioners to collect
reports Of disbursements from township
and ward Trustees. and communicate their
aggregates annually TO the Auditor of
Slate.
Our State has heretofore filed her
quota in the armies by volunteering. In
addition 10 this, we have several thous-
and men in the service of West Virginia,
centucky, and Indiana, for which we can.
not have credit in our allo,ments. Hopes
are entertained that we will be able to fiji
the recent call. without restoring TO a
draft. The conduct of our officers and
men in the field has been highly credita.
BILE 10 themselves and honorable to the
State. Upon every battle. field they have
wen high encomiums for cool and steady
courage, prompt obedience, and deeds Of
noble daring. They are bright Jewels in
the crown Of the State; and while We
wear them with pride, we should cherish
them with affection.
During the past year steady and effect.
i've advancement has been made in the
prosecution OF the war. We have repos-
sessed ourselves of a large amount of re-
VOTED territory, and The triumphs Of our
arms and policy.,hat have strengthened
US, have materially weakened our adver-
%saries. Present events indicate very