The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1868-08-13
PLAIN T.ILh JPITH PLAIN PEO-
PIE

Il
The position Ct the democratic party on
the financial question, if thoroughly un-
derstood, cannot fail to commend itself to
the appreciation Of the people. A prom-
ent feature Of that position is, that every
species Of property shall par its due pro-
portion Of the taxes levied upon the pco-
pie. 1t has ever been the policy Of the
party now opposed to the democratic par
ty 10 lsgis!ate for the benefit Of certain
sections Of the country, and certain class
es Of men, thus pursuing course minnie
al to tie interests ofthe country as whole
This kind of legislation has had the effect
to make tie rich richer, aud the poor poor
CT. y high protective tariff has ever been
farorite policy with them policy
which filehes fron the hard earnings of
tae consumer, aud puts them into the
pockets of a few wealthy manufacturers
and spectators. The impolicy of class
legislation had been 50 clearly demoDstra-
ted before the late war, that its advocates
were unable to make a respectable show
ing before the people. except in certain
sections whose prominent citizens expect
ed to be benefited by It.
At the breaking out OF the war, the re-
publican party teipg in the ascend
aney in the government Of the
country, anu the leaders of that party be-
ing old-ti.nc protcctionists, an unexpected
opportunity occurred which enabled the
wealthy fea to further enrich themselves
at The expense of the poor many. Money
being necessary for the prosecution of the
war, and the monied resources Of Il e
government failing to meet the expen-
ses, bonds of the government were issued
at different times during the conti2 uance
of the war. In the issuing of these bonds
the Shylocks of the republican party saw
chance of replenishiug their monied re-
sources at the expense of the people. The
law authorizing the issue OF these bonds
stipulated that they should be free from
taxation, and that the interest On them
should be paid in coin The effect Of this
provision of the law was to convert over two
thousand millions of tax-raying capital in
to non.tax-paying capital. e result was
that the bonds were purch and held
BY the rich, who had money to invest in
anything that promised the greatest return;
while poor people were compelled to use
their money in correction With their own
labor, in order to support themselves and
families
As an iiiustra lion OF the working Of the
exemption Of bonds from taxation, we viii
suppose that two wealthy citizens Of our
town, whom We will name Democrat a2d
Republican, had each 500 600 invested
III various business pursuits. at the time
the government bonds were issaed. Mr.
Republican withdrew his money from
business channels. and invested it IN
bonds, on which he pays no taxes, while
NJ. Democrat did not change his invest
ment, but permitted it to remain where it
was. subject to taxation for all purposes,
Just as the property money OF poor
men. or men Of email as, IS taxed. The
working of this reput IAN legislation is,
that, according to the rate Of taxati in
this town and township, Dir. Democrat
pays, on his 500, 900, for state purposes.
$500.
Nr. Republican pays nothing.
For county purposes, Mr. Democrat
pays $500.
Mr. Republican pays nothing.
For sinking fund purposes, Mr.. Demo
erot pays $500.
SIr. Republican pays nothing.
For school, special school ana corpora
tion school tax, Mr. Democrat pays 500.
.Mr. Republc4u pays nothing.
For township purposes, Dir. Democrat
pays SlOJ.
Mr. Republican pays nothing.
For road purposes, Mr. Democrat pays
$3.50.
Mr.. Republican pays nothing.
Fer public buildings, SIR. Democrat
pays 5000.
Mr. Republican pays nothing.
For corporation purposes, Mr. Democrat
pays $500.
Mr. Republican pays nothing.
So we see that for the support Of our
state government,-ou deaf and dumb,
Insane aud blind asylums, the expenses
Of our county organization, the support
Of the poor,-the building OF school hous
es,-ihe support of schools,-tho ere ;tion
Of public building s,-for opening, repair
ing. and keeping in a passable condition