The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-10-13

The tax on merchants in this State is
eliciting considerable discussion amongst
mercantile classes is Nashville. Il is al
lodged, aud with truth, that whilst the pres
sut tax Of ~ per cent. remains, cur mer-
chants engaged in the wholesale trade can
not thrive aud compete successfully with
their Cincinnati rivals. The difference in
taEatiOn is 50 largely ugainst them, they are
compelled either 70 sell at unremunersting
prices, or at prices which justify the retail
er in going abrogd 10 make his purchases.
Il this stale Of things continues, viii have
the effect OF driving of capital already here,
and keeping away capital from other States
seeking profitable investments. We heard
Of an instance some days ago Of a merchant
who had come here with view 20 locate
permanently snd open large wholesale
house but who, after investigating ali the
facts connected with our trade, deemed it
advisable not TO change his location go long
us the present high rate Of taxation con-
tinues- The subject is one Of great inter
est and Importance. The Legislature ought
to investigate il thoroughly and apply the
remedy.
When the Legislature met last April il
found the Treasury nearly empty. Il was
impossible in the condition Of the civil al
fairs Of the State, at that time, to make
sprs Of means to carry on the State Govern
ment BY taxes on lands, &c, because the
tax collectors could not make collections.
The tax on merchants was probably regar-
ded Is 3 necessity unavoidable, but tempo
rsry. Since that time there has been con-
slant improvement IN our civil condition,
aud al present law and order may be regar-
ded ~ restored. During the ensuing year,
the regular collection Of takes Of all kinds
viii no doubt be resumed with success. The
Legislature may, therefore, reduce the
State tax 90 merchants IS the necessity
which gave rise 10 il no longer exists.
"Mexieo'-says the distinguished South
Carolinisn, Waddy Thompson, in his " Re-
collections Of Mexico, was eoloniEed just
enc hundred years before Massachusetts,.
Her FIRST settlers were the Bobiest spirits OF
Spain in her Auguslan age, the epoch Of
Ceryantes, Cortes, PiEarro, Columbas, Con
valyo De Cordova, Cardinal Nimines, and
the great and good Isabella. Massachusetts,
Was settled by she poor Pilgrims Of Plym-
outh, who carried with them nothing but
their own hardy virtues and indomitable
energy. Mexico, with a rich soil and
climate adapted 20 the production Of every
thing which grows out Of the earth. and
possessing every metal used by man-Mas-
sschuset,s, with a sterile soil, au unconge-
NAL climate, and no single article Cor cx-
por-ation but ice and rock How have
these blessing, prOsusely given by Provi-
aenoei been improved on the one hand, aud
obstacles overcome on the other? What is
now the respective condition Of the two
counsriesY Ia productive industry. wide
sPread diffusion OF knowledge, public ius,i-
buttons Of every kind, general happiness,
and continually increasing prosperity in
letters, arts, morals, religion in everything
which makes people great, there is not in
the world, and there never was In the
world, such 8 commonwealth as Massachu-
setis. There she is look at hsr' and
Mexico"