The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-05-29

My relations to your body as I conceive, do no
warrant me in submitting any recommendation
whatever in reference to the scope of your action
Hence had not intended until your call of yester
day, to submit any message whatever. Having th
fullest confidence in your wisdom, would not OBJ
trude my views wishes upon you.
May God guide your couBsels to results beneficial
JONATHAN WORTH
For the Western Democrat.
TAxATION--NO. 2.
Mr. EDIToB:-'One of the Aldermen" has seen
mt to reply through the Times of the oath inst, &c
my communication in your last issue under the
caption of Taxation, for which reply feel quite
grateful, not because desire to appear before the
puoilc again as an anonymous correspondent, but
because the "City Fathers" do things quietly and
might say privately, that the taxpayers never
Know when or where the meetings of the Board are
heidi (by the way, let me enquire why the proceed
lngs of the meetings arenot published, they are
In other cites?) therefore, the citizens ought be-
and have no doubt do feel gratfed that they are
permitted to perceive acee glimmering light behind
the curains in other words, this is the first pub
lished statement giveE them, that such enormous
tax as has been levied and now being collected
thought necessary.
We suppose Mr. Editor, that "One of the Alder
men, has full and free access to the books of the
Town, as he seems to figure from authority Fig
ures said to be stubborn things and err,
but let US it there is not another side the
count. Suppose we take his own statement a
basis, as we, the tax payers, have no other. H.
gives the amount Of the lev; 'as under seventeen
thousand dollars we suppose, however, he means
the listed tax. This monster 6io.o is directed to
that part of our communication in which we stated
that IN our opinion the tax would reach from twenty
| to twenty-five thousand dollars. He further states
that the ''new City" levied tax upon liquor which
| has proved sufficient to cover Police expenses"
which he puts down in round numbers at seven
| thousand dollars. Now, according arithme-
tic and his statement This makes twenty four thou
sand dollars-and we will leave it to the city tax
! former in
There also other items of taxation which
not listed, such shows, concerts, &c, from
which an increased amount will certainly be real
| lied. However, the $24.0G0 is sufficient to prove
! the correctness of my former statement. Now let
see how the account stands. According to the
| above-and remember it is his own admission-our
| We will now take his amounts to base credits
upon. He says that the debt of "Pr0visonal and
| former Boards is estimated at $4,000
| Interest due Town Bonds to Jan. lst
| 1866, estimated at 1000
Interest due this year 900
Police expenses this year. (enormous) 1000
Street Expenses and ordinary repairs 500
Salaries and Commissions 1000
New Cemetry, new fence, &c, 500
Making a total Of s 9OO
This would leave balance of 81 90 in the hands
of the City Treasurer at the end Of the present fiscal
year And this Mr. Editor, collected off people
who crippled in resources and oppressed with
| taxation. How can we call it by any other names
| than enormous and iniquitous"!
| There are@two items in "One of the Aldermen's''
| statements viz: Contingencies So, 900, new Fire En-
CINE, ladders, &C, $1,000, which think
well dispense with Cor year longer, especially
the former (contingencieS). BY tie way, of what
do contingencies consist? His figures make it of
some importance, being $500 more than the esti-
mate for all the work done upon the streets.
iOne of the Aldermen" says that in 1861 the tax
on Polls four dollars; this year it is raised to
FIVE dollars. We would naturally suppose that the
white population is fully rs great as in 1861, and
tire coored population has very greatly increased
and is the of Poll had remained at four
dollars, ii would have added greatly to the Treasury
of the Town without laying the additional tax of
one dollar. But, Mr. Editor, who comprise the
greater part of all communities? Is it the wealthy
gentlemen Of peasure-is it the merchants? No,
sir, it is the hardworking class Of people, such
| mechanics, laborers, &c, class We ought to en-
courage to come among us. and we ought TO en-
courage them by light taxation; without it they
cannon buy lots and improve them, thereby increaS
ing the population and rendering the real estate
more valuable; sand without them will
have finished City. The tax of of per cent
upen real estate and FIVE dollars the Poll is
than they ford from their daily earnings
The alderman" further says that 1.-THE tax five
dollars the Poll) relieves the residents of the
city from twelve days labor the Streets" Let us
see how this works-he seems fond of figures, and
will give him the benefit of them. He puts
down in his calculation, ''Street expenses and ord-
nary repairs" at 500. Now we presume that the
white Polls Of the city number some five hundred,
which at three dollars each would amount to 500
Now 1t seems to III Payer that there lS sght
discrepancy between the fifteen hundred dollars and
the twelve days hard labor,-for if Poll tax was
three instead of five dollars, it would fully up
to the estimate made by the 'Alderman' for street
expenses. This estimate does not include The black
Pol-that tax would leave balance for other
"contingences."
He says 1.-The tax upon merchandise is truly the
lghtest imposed" Not knowing the amount of pur-
chases, cannot approximate the amount of tax de-
rived from that source but the per cent is sufficient
to keep all others out of the City. 1t is such high
taxation, Mr. Editor, that will bring ruin upon any
town; it prevents the merchants from competing
with his surrounding neighbors, therefore its ten
dency is to drive them from instead of inviting them
with open arms to come among us; but as that par
agraph is in reply to your editorial, will turn it
over to yon.
1t would be a matter Of great information to the
CITY taxpayers, if ..One of the Aldermen" would
answer the following queries viz To whom is the
amount of seven thousand dollars paid What are
their names and the amount each receives? How
me n Waichmen have we, and what are theiY names?
Who appoints them to office? 1t is necessary for the
people to know who they are, in order that they
may call upon them for assistance if needed. What
salary and fees is allowed the Mayor and Marshal ?
Any other information will be thankfully received
The citizens have right to know what salaries and
commissions are paid Or what the new city charter
allows. 1t is said that the new city charter fixes
the salary of the Mayor fifteen hundred doLars per
year besides fees. How is that? | and other
payers don't know much about such matters,
because Information of that sort is never published
by the city authorities. Taxpayers demand econo
my in city affairs
In regard to the assertion of "One of the Alder
men, That the Board had taken cath to DIS
charge the duties of their Office with Integrity" &c,
shall make reply more than simply to say that
gave expression to my feelings personally in my
former communication, and will repeat, that 1t is
their public and not their private acts with when
nlk,lI q