The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-05-18

| y P''N ePHlt vi our people. DO w
then confess that we are dependant on tn,
people OF the other divisions Of the State fol
the me ms OF carrying on the machinery ot
government? We have an area of fourteen
thousand square miles, with a population Of
three hundred and seven thousand persons
Our soil and climate are universally admired
having Southern exposure with a Northern
elevation, and combining to some extent the
advantages of both. Our water power ia un.
limited. The Watauga, the HOlston, the
NolIachucky, the French Broad, the Pigeons,
the Little and the Big Tennessee the HiwHs-
see, the ocoee, the Clnch, the Emory, and
divers others streams, rs they come leaping
from the mountains, afford innumerable sites
for the existence of Lowell Our mineral
resources are Incredible, and almost fabulous,
and are ample to build and sustain MANY
PittSburgs. All that is wanting to make US
spring forward on nsplendid career of PROS
perity and wealth is the spirit Of enterprise
and the magic touch of skill, science and
capital Then will these dormant natural
powers be trained to the service of man, and
yield plentiful streams Of wealth.
Look at the State of Massachusetts,. Her
SOIL was poor and unyielding her climate
cold and ungenial. She has six thousand
SIX hundred and sixty-nine square miles less
than East Tennessee. Our population is a
little over three hundred Thousand, while hers
IS one million, two hundred and thiFty-one
thousand. We have an average of little
less than twenty-five persons to the square
mile, While she has one hundred and fifty
seven. Our soil is naturally bettor than hers,
our climate is better our productions much
more varied, our mineral resources infinitely
greater; in word, we possess every natur-
al advantage over her except the singe one of
not being washed by the waves of the ocean.
Industry skill and enterprise applied to man
ufactures, navigation and the Improvement
OF poor and unkind soil Aave made her
what she is. The same industry skill and
enterprise, applied in developing the wonder
full mineral, manufacturing and agricultural
resources of East Tennessee, combined with
universal education, will make her leap for
ward with the elastic vigor Of renewed youth.
Already she is attracting migration and cap
ital. vast numbers are ready to come, and
now only wait to see whether the State is
again to pass under the domination Of those
lately in arms against the government. If
so, they will remain away But give US a
new State, and they will como from every
quarter, with industry, skill, and capital, to
aid in bringing forth from their secret places
our petroleum, iron, copper, zinc, lead, coal
and marble, and in towns, cities, manufac-
lures, roads, schools, colleges and churches.
Too poor to bear the expenses of separ-
ate State 2 1t is a slander. We are the
richest people in the world. All we need 10
the energy to stretch forth our hand and re.
ceive the rich legacies of the Creator.
But is 1t quite certain that our taxes will
be increased by the formation ofa new State7
Will they not be dimnished2 In consider
ing these questions let il be borne in mind
that our slaves heretofore constituted frac-
ton less than one third in value Of the
taxable property of the State That source
Of taxation is gone. The loss falls on the diff
ferent divisions Of the State as follows:
East Tennessee, $40, ,55s, $40, Middle Ten
nessee, S57o7796O: West Tennessee, SAT,
a72,S42.
Thus, while we lose from that source in
The ratio of one dollar, Middle Tennessee los
ss near six dollars, and West Tennessee
near FIVE dollars. While we lose as source
1f taxation SlO,55S,652, the two other di-
visions Of the State lose in the aggregate.
Sl05, ,002, or more than ten dollars to our
one. 1t appears that they are much poorer
han they were before the war, while we are
much richer. The wealth of the
'ther divisions of the State and especially
hat of Middle Tennessee, is to great eI-
.ent, the result Of the expenditure OF the peo-
ole'S money, and ours with IT, In building
and public buildings, in that sec
ion, thus enhancing the value of their lands
We have paid our part of the Sl,22s,356 66
% build her turnpike roads, while we have
lot received one cent for that purpose.
Let us now look at some facts and figures,
md approximate as nearly as we can the in
,ome and expenses Of new State.
n 1860 the taxable property Of
East Tennessee was valued at
$64,37s,4 ,4sO. Multiply that by
Accents on the huHdred dol
lars, the present rate of taxa
tion for State purposes, and
1t gives in taxes. ..,...... ......slso, ,os4 10 |
IS ,b33 polls, the number in 1860
at one dollar each, giyes....... 1888 90
The taxes received from the Coun-
ty, Circuit and Cbancery Court
Clerks, as taxes on law suits,
on privileges, licenses on land
and town lots registered, 6c.,
will amount on an average Of
$4,000 90, to each county, and
thirty counties to the sum off,. 10000 90 |
inoI county pays this year alone
in this way about S23, 900 90.
Making total VI income Of. 80. .S756,491 20
BxPEHsEs.
Jnder our present State Goveru-
ment there are twelve salaried
officers Of the Executive Depart
ment with salaries amounting
In the aggregate eto............ S20,5oo 90
Several Of these officers, BY using economy,
ray be filed By one man-such as the Su-
srintendent Of Weights and Measures,
tate Librarian, Commissioner Of Roads,
nd School Commissioner, and for some OF
hem there win be no Immediate use, such
8 the Superintendent Of the Insane Hospital.
here are FIVE Circuit and three
Chancery Judges, at q salary
each OF ", ,0O0............. $4,000 90 |
We would need three Supreme