Maryland free press., 1866-07-26
Interesting Conversation between two
Republicans in front OF the Court
'.-'F' House.

How are you, Bf You have lust been to the
Treasurer's office. Been paying your tax sup
pose2
Mr.. B.--Yes, I have been paying an amount of
taxes whlch might be considered good rent on
my little place. Last year worked hard, and as
the result of my labor my wheat turned out
failure, and what corn and porkI had fell so in
price that 1t hardly payed me for the labor be-
slowed upon it; and then had to pay the Gov
ernment per cent. per bushel for the privilege
OF raising the corn, and per cent, Fer head for
the privilege Of killing my hogs. And now, af-
ter paying my taxes, viii not realize anything
for my years labor. You are q very wealthy
man, Mr. A.. heard your wealth estimated al
one hundred thousand dollars. Your taxes must
be enormous. You must have difficulty, in the
scarcity of money, to raise funds to pay them.
Mr.. A.-Oh, no; my taxes are light. They
only amount to about fifteen dollars q year.
Mr.. Blow is that2 I'm not worth one
tenth the amount that you are,and yet my taxes
are $l00 year. ~
MIR. A.-You see had q foresight. Iknew
that the enormous cost of the war would entail
grievous burdens oftaxation upon the people, and
as soon as the Government put its bonds upon
the market promising to exempt them from State
county and township as well as National taxa.
ti9n, and to pay an interest in gold equal to
what my income was in greenbacks, immedi-
ately sold my two farms, my town lots, collected
in'what was owing me, and even sold my family
residence, and invested every dollar of it in Gov
ernment securities. I am worth about 81 20, 600,
upon which receive an interest which is eouiya-
lent to eight per cent. in currency, and don't
pay cent Of tax for any purpose, except about
Sl5 on the furniture in my house.
MIR. B.-But don't you send your children to
the common schools2 Don't you ride on the
public highways2 Haven't you the benefit of
protection from our State laws2
Mr.. A.-Yes, but the whole thing is compli-
mentary 10 me on the part of my neighbors. !
never pay school or road tax, or for the support
of the State Government.
Mr.. B.-But how is the Government to be sup
ported ifthls large amount of money is exempted
from taxation?
Mr.. Avery easily. My friends and neigh
bors who owR farms or town lots, or who have
merchandise, manufacturing, establishments farm
products, or any kind of chattels, and all men of
small or moderate means, who cannot afford to
live on their little pittance, but must keep il
moving to secure food and raiment for themselves
and families, haze the amount of tar Hhich Tam
exempt from paying added to their osra tazes, and
they are compelled to pay the Dkoie amount. The
Government loses nothing. Persons rho pey taxes
are required to pay their ovn, dndmins also.
Mr.. B.-l see the matter now in its proper
light, and can easily comprehend why my taxes
have been doubled within few years. have
been paying my own taxes and part Of yours
also. l am opposed to this unjust discrimination
and shall help the Democratic party to bring
Government bonds, like other property, ON the
tax duplicate Chiliicotehs advertiser.