Des Arc citizen., 1867-01-12
cOMMUNICATED.

VI ffN t-EME Ef - VI A1A Vt " Att Rat0Otl the liberty I take, in submitting as I do, a single suggestion, believing 1t as wor- thy of your consideration, and also of action, by the different branches of the Legislature. Of which you are members. I do not submit the following in the form of a memorial, but simply as 6 suggestion. leaving any and all action on the same, as the result of your fav- orable or unfavorable views of iL There is, as you are aware, duty be- ing levied by the United States Gov ernmcnt on cotton, of three cents per pound, which, from all the information I cap gather on the subject has, to this time, amounted to the enormous sum of fourteen million of dollars, and presume by the time sales is made of the entire crop, will amount in the ag- gregate to some seventeen million of dollars tax this to superficial obser- yer would naturally appear ruinous and burdensome indeed; and the sugges- ton contemplated, suicidal in the ex- treme, when it is found to propose an additional State tax of three cents more on the staple not however, on all pro- duced in the State, but on all exported from it. We are told by the generous friendship which has s6 signally char acterized the action of the United States Congress that, the tax levied on our staple is not paid, or even felt by the producer, that the manufacturers and consumersbear the burden acting then upon this hypothesis, can feel no hes itation in submitting the suggestion named, together, with the further one of appropriating the proceeds thereof to the disabled soldiers and vast multi tude of starving, penniless widows and orphans of Confederate soldiers, who offered their lives as sacrifice in cause which, as yet, hath borne no fruits. Taking the seventeen millions of dollars, which cannot be far from the actual amount of cotton tax, as. a basis; we can justly claim one. million five hundred thousand dollars as the ratio paid by Arkansas. This amount properly distributed through the me- dium of State pension office will, I feel no hesitation in asserting, rebound to the relief of more worthy recipients of charity, than any other act of Legis- lation that can possibly be conceived. There is no shadow of plausible op- position to this measure it cannot be claimed as unconstitutional, for we hold that, the same power delegated to Con gress over the States, will apply equally to Legislatures over their respective counties. The only opposition that can possibly be arrayed against measure of this kind, must naturally arise with the producer of the staple which we propose taxing, and as the opposition has not been very formidable hereto fore, but little could reasonably be ex- pected in future, especially when we are told that, manufacturers and con- sumers pay the tax hence our ability, and the urgent necessity for this Leg islation should it be possible that, our information is erroneous in locating the burden of taxation, we can only aver the truth when we assert the abil- ity and I believe the willingness of the cotton producer to bear any and all reasonable burdens imposed upon it, and especially for the purposes contem- plated.
 have accomplished whatl designed in the undertaking i. e. submitting my suggestions without being prolix; it is broad and extended basis for the ex- ercise of Heavens highest, holiest at- tribute, charity; and you as the chosen and assembled Representatives of the State of Arkansas can now render your deeds ilustrious in it's exercise; this will renew lost Edens' faded bloom, and fling hopes halcyon halo OCT the coming time. Take this initiatory step, and I firmly believe every cotton grow ine State will emulate the example, in the exercise of charity to it's unfortu- nate and distressed people. l might adduce potent and pungent reasons for legislation on this subject, but as they will naturally suggest themselves ln train of reflection, would prove super f1uous here. will however add, that, an appropriation of ten per cent of the tax levied could be appropriated by way of State aid and encouragement to the building of Cotton Factories in the State, which would rebound great ly to the interest of the State.
 In submitting the above, trust, l have in no way superseded the prero- gative which, justly belongs to each and every one ofsyour constituents. Very Respectfully,
 W. o. PEPPER.