The New York herald., 1868-01-08

which the rebellion has entaile6 upon centre In
taxation to the soluti, Of this problem the thought
full consideration of all Is invited. ,,ss-rs 49,.
Congress can and doubtless wiI in their good judg
ment, ske hundreds OF items from the TAX list which
are more fruitful Of annoyance than OF revenue and
II should reduce and rcadust the taxes N TO have
them fall where they would be least felt, most readily
paid, and most easily collected. With u judlcious
reduction and adjustment of taxes. wise retrench-
ment. and firm aud impartial enforcement OF the
revenue laws with industry relieved snd enter rise
encouraged and the vast treasury OF our national
sourcts made tributary 10 our progress we look 20 the
future oil the country with calm and assured conf
dence. Our national production has doubled In thir
teen or fourteen years and we may reasonably expect.
with taxes 80 reduced as not 10 impede national
development, power from production will be twice
a great at the end OF that period OF time AT least an
estimate based on past conditions OF grown can
hardly fail tn be realized in the future.
The resdustment above suggested is the more essen
tial In view Of the high price Of commodities and the
low price OF gold which tend . stimuaut 10 foreign
mporlatons II hardly to be expec ed however that
we shall ever got back 70 the prices which pfevaed
prior TO the rebellion need not advert to the causss
further than to remark that gold has deprecated or o
in It's purchasing from its greatly increased pro.
gold currency prevails prices have steadily increased,
and from prospect aud returns OF the mines this
cause must inevitably continue to affect prices In
In regard 70 local taxes i am convinced that
method Of assessment is essentially defective can
OF be doubted that . much nearer approximation 10
equal could be attained laws provided
for specific OF all taxable property No
question that the personal property u individuals very
largely escapes taxation The personal property OF this
IN 1860 after deducug corporate property, lett
the ed individuals about 500 900 0O0
This Of property Georgia assessed that car
after deductiug the slave property at the estimated
erags value u $500 save. At 500 600 o0O IN Ass
S262 600 000 In ONO, for The year 1855 the amount
was s4Oo ZOO, 000 Tue same year in tais state tho
How How much Of this was corporate properly
10 the states referred to for comparison l am
eonsiaerans Evidently the assessment is % based t' On
different principles, designed to produce more just
distribution Of burden for there can be no doubt but
the personal properly OF individuals In this State s
many times than that held in the above
named States The existing laxity aud inequality OF
operate with severity aud injustice upon real
estate and UPON those are taxed more nearly or
entirely to the of their personal property Il 10
kewse evident that this defective assessmens OF per
sopa properly throws undue and disproportlonate
share OF tho state tax upon counties, where but mod
crate amount OF personal property is held Real estate
uniform increase It's valuation. while reducing the
percentage, will not effect the amount OF tax,
just SO much as personal property is brought 70
light and made 10 bear Its equitable share OF
The burden. II discrimination may be made, 1t should
be prejudice Of real estate, because personal
property the pubic more for Its protection, and
general yields larger proportionate profit We have
hing to fear from uuwiilngness in tile people
tribute fairly 70 just distribution Of taxation, nut
equal as IL IS, the murmur OF discomfort may be
pecied. A burden which may easily be borne when
distributed uniformly and equally. placed the should
ers oil few or upon the many with unjust discrmina-
tion, becomes oppressive:
Tie laws In several Of ths States require In
di,duals to furnish returns OF their properly
the basis Of valuation. The TAX laws Of Ohio
represented to working salts. .actory, and
believe the experience has obained In some OF the
Eastern States In this some other better form
. remedy should be provided for the mperfecions OF
our EXISTING system. commend this important matter
your early consideration, and respectfully suggest
that IL the dcu cutes incident the question should
to you to require II, II might be advisable to
provide for competent commission to investigate
the subject and report promptly to the Legls-
lature such facts as they can collect
with such recon- lamentations Is may bc deemed
in view Of tho practical OF legislation
in otnsr States in aid Of this general object The end 70
be attained Is one In which the entire community 10
deeply interested Every Of citizens recognize
the necessity of REFORM and all will cordially acqiesce
In sucn legislation will fair and just equaliza.
tiOn or the general burden. Every citizen will be
tent to do his part IL he be assured that he Is
charged with than his own equitable and lcgiti
mate share.
CANAL FUND.
Balance tho treasury and invested, Oct 1,
12so