Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-05-07

Exemption of improvements from
City Taxes-A few more Thoughts
ON an Interesting SHbJeea
EDITORS UNION AND DISPATCH The
interest manifested by the press of the city
in its progress and improvement is COM
mendable in the highest degree. The re-
marks made by the UNION AND DISPATCH,
Of the I'd instant, and the Republican Ban
ner, Of the Sd, in relation TO a petition
about to be presented to the Board of Al
dermen and Common Councilman, are en-
inently appropriate and worthy of the
serious consideration and attention of every
public spirited citizen. A few more sug-
gestions and explanations thrown out upon
the subject matter embraced in the petition
referred to, may not be out of place. One
of the many arguments that could be ad-
vanced in favor of granting il is, that by
80 doing, home could be provided for
every artizen, mechanic and laborer in the
citv This is essential TO the well-being
and progress of the city on the one hand,
and the comfort and well-being of that nu-
merous class of our population who liter
ally earn their bread BY the "sweat of the
brow on the other. The petition asks
that no tax be imposed on any improve
ments put on vacant lots within the corpo-
ration limits of the city during the year
1867, and that this exemption continue for
FIVE OF ten years. The tax already assessed
on income and property is entirely dispro-
portioned to its.true value bat an artizan
or mechanic could well afford, and would
be willing to buy a lot upon which TO erect
his dwelling, if he had any assurance that
the improvement put upon it by him would,
for some time, at least, be exempt from
taxation. The tax imposed on dwelling
yearly, would amount, in a few years, TO
such a sum as to trouble one TO erect a neat
and comfortable residence. The laboring
man has not means enough, as a general
thing, to pay for his dwelling Immediately
upon its construction. He is often com!
PEELED to make his payments on time. II
in addition to the expenditures he neceasa-
riiy makes in building, he would also have
a heavy tax assessed upon it, the outlay on
the whole would be so great as to deter him
altogether from the undertaking. The class
alluded to above, by far more numerous
than any .other OF our population, is 50
valuable 10 community, that every en-
enlargement should be given them to settle,
and 10 insure this end their Interests
should be fostered and protected by the
proper legislation. All of them should
have il in their power TO build substantial,
comfortable residences for their families.
II this petition be granted, the now va
cant property will in short time present
a different aspect. The suburbs, where
this kind Of property chiefly lies, would be
crowded with handsome, tidy, buildings and
wear an air Of cheeriulness and comforts
In the course OF five years the revenue of
the city would be enhanced fifty per cent
But so long as this unbearable system of
taxation is imposed, the energies of the
people will be paralyEed, their public spirit
dwaried, and the city itself remain in its
present state of lethargic repose, never in
creasing, diminishing little BY little, and
let far behind by its more active aud pro-
gressive rivals