The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-02-15
Exclusive Privileges.

EDITORS CLARIoN:-I saw in your paper
of the 18th a communication signed TAX
Payer" in which he states that the Bow
granted by the Board of Mayor and Alder
men of the city, free license for ten years
Now, feeling as do, that every citizen has
the right to be heard on this subject, for it
interests all, and knowing that you are as
much interested in the welfare of our city
and its citizens as am, permit me small
space in your columns, aud will give my
opinion for what it is worth. 1t does appear
to me that the Hon. Board of Mayor and Al
dermen have in their great charity gone
farther than the law authorizes them to do,
but as am no lawyer / will leave it for
those who are experts in that profession to
decide at the proper time and place.
But as an humble citizen of jackson, who
has never violated one of its laws, or ordin-
ances, but cheerfully conformed to and sup
ported them at all times I must in Justice to
myself and my fellow-citizens raise my voice
against what consider Injustice. Why, l
ask are these special privileges granted to
these gentlemen, while all other citizens are
required to pay taxes to support the city2-
Has the Honorable Board Of Mayor and AL
dermen the right to tax me because / am q
poor man, and exempt the Bowman House
Joint Stock Company, from paying taxes
because they are able to spend $4,000 or
$1,000 in rebuilding the Bowman Housed
Has poverty become crime punishable by
taxation9 Is this equity or justice-taxing
the poor man to make the rich richerl No,
it is not justice nor, as / said before, do
not believed is law, for have always been
taught that law is based on equality of rights
to all good citizens And here let me say,
that have the greatest respect for our Hon.
orable Mayor and every member of the city
Council, and while think they would not
do any thing knowingly to injure any good,
law-ahiding citizen, yet by this act, lin my
humble opinion, they have done so and
hope they will reconsider this matter and re-
peal this act as soon as possible Otherwise
/ am one of many who is not prepared to
pay taxes to support any person or persons
who are as able and Justly entitled to do $50
as l am. In conclusion it has not passed ont
of the recollection of those who resided in
the city, when the Bowman House was first
built, that the city Council at that time was
pleased TO grant MI Bowman the privilege
of keeping Bar for number of years to
the exclusion of all other good citizens
What was the result2 Why, in due time
another gentleman made application for
license to keep Bar, having according to law
received the signature of the lawful voters
of the city.
The result was that the city council had
to grant the license. This, of course, broke
the contract between Mr.. Bowman and the
city. He Immediately sued the city for
damages and it cost her several thousand
dollsrs, and learn from good authority the
city still owes Mr.. Bowman about $500
on that little transaction, which ought to be
paid at once. Now, who is the sufferers by
those unwarranted acts of our city council ?
Why, every tax-paying citizen, of course.
Money is required to keep up the city, and
the only means of getting it is by taxation;
therefore, If a portion OF our citizens are
exempt from taxes, the Others will have to
make up the deficiency.
Now. suppose that Col. r. o. Edwards,
Mr. Jno. Nelson, Mr.. Rank Dickson, or any
other good citizen should ask what our hon.
orab1e Board WIS pleased to grant the Bow
man House Joint Stock Company, (and they
have as great claim upon the sympathies
of our city council as other parties,) will
their petitions be received and acted upon
with the same charitable spiriti If so
where will petitions endl and where will
the school funds and revenue of the city
come FROM But if they reject petitions of
such gentlemen, will any one say that it is
lust to tax all the hotels, bar rooms, billiard
rooms and private citizens to support and
enable this joint stock company to rebuild
the Bowman House,
Ny motto is equal rights to all good citi-
zens-the platform upon which, if l remem-
Der right, some of our present honorable
Board ran upon, and was elected. Is there
none left who has the welfare of our city
and over-taxed oitizeus at heart If so,
raise your voices for equal rights to each and
every good citizen.
sN-' JUSTICE.