Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-26
TaKafI0n and Taxes.

1aXail0H ana Taxes
We have listened 10 the growlnls, complaints
aud oebsuros Of the rebel speakers aid newspapers
"a lhs sabect until we think il full tame that few
slelge-hAmmor sts we're made in .he right direc-
neu, that The public may hold Che parties properly
70 Be charged, 70 rigid accountability and IN DO
ing &c bold them up as proper s1Rjeas TO public hA-
tred Scorn and contempt
We admit tse fact that the people OF Tennessee
have been most shamefulIy, cruelty and outrage
,usly taxed--tAxed 10 an extent that il Is simply
WONDERFUL that they have endured the oppression,
Or that they now permit 10 minge with them as ci.
izsss those who have been the agents aud instru-
insnis Of their pecunisry and social torture
In making This inquiry and exposure, We ssk an
enlightened, honest public 70 walk with Us over The
ground, pencil in bahS snd see that our figures are
not inaccurate, ard that ndexbsnd points truly
shs6 We Declare, a1ion art the man"
We propose 70 make our timetable comprehend
s,shl years, commencing with leel-fcur Of rebel
and four Of loyal rule. As 10 the arst period we
bold every msu and woman responsible who volun-
tsrily engaged in or gave aid, encouragement or
comfort 70 the rebellion As 10 The second period
he Radical party unhe.talingly assume The respon
sibty, without the color Of prevaricstion or dodge
We know The rebels will seek 10 dodge, but we say,
you shall not We viii pin you 10 the grourd and
s yo on the public pillory in the scorching blaze
Of outraged public opinion. Then 10 The facts and
fsures. And bear IN mind that the rebel period
commences with time Of unparalleled prosperity,
peace and plenty.
OF an aggregate population IN l56l--l, los, sil--
qe will estimate ten 10 each family giving IN The
state lloesl families. We may safely estimate an
average surplus Of 500 produced by esch family
por annum, which was seized by the rebel authori-
AS fsr Confederate rags or nething. This gives an
annual TAXATION amounting 10 sll,Oas,l 400, and in
tour years $44,3es,6Oo We may with equal safety
estimate the average damageto each family Of real
and personal estate during TIE four years at $500,
which gives another aggregate Of t55,494oOO-
Neat we viii estimate The number Of men in the
rebel army from the State al t5oOoO, and that the
services Of each was worth $500 per snnum. This
gives smother aggregate taxation of S2O,0o0,OO0.
Next we viii estimate the loss by death At 20 per
oent.-le00o, and that the widow or next Of kin
ought 10 have 81 goo for the loss Of such friend and
protector, which makes another tax Of sl0000,0O0.
We viii neat estimate that one person in every 100
10 the State Was outraged in such way as 10 author
ae special damages under suit al law of 81, 200,
which gives another lax Of ll,09s000. And as a
last item we will make the very low estimate of
ss0,OoO,OOo 10 cover loss Of public funds and de-
struciion 70 public buildings, pubic thOrOugh!ares
and equipments and means Of transportation our
rivers. This fools up The aggregate Of rebel tax
alton Tor the four year period stated the snug little
sum Of Sl90,9s5,6O0
We know fall well that our estimates are vastly
100 low but We intend large measure Of fairness.
Bear in mind that this large amount was ,oraHg
from tho people, and much Of il with groans Of
death and tears Of blood In order that we may see
how much this tax was lei us see Whist may be done
with il.
First we will divide the territory OF our State
into 1850 districts six miles square in the center Of
each Of which we will construct College at cost
NJ $4,000, with library worth $4,000, making an
aggregate OF Sl6,2Oo,0OO
Second, we win divide these districts into four
equal parts making 4,s2o districts, three mile
square, and 10 each OF which We will construct
school house st q coat Of $4,000, with special ap
preparation Of $4,000, 10 be expended in teacher
salaries, making an aggregate OF $5ls4O,OOO.
Third, we will divide the State into 800 districts
ten miles square, in each OF which we viii construc
Church free TO az orthodox denominations, at
cost Of $4,000, with an organ worth $1,000, max
ing an aggregate Of 100000.
Fourth, in each county Of the state We will con
strucs house Of refuge ard correction and asylum
Tor the poor, with grounds attached, at q cost o
$4,000, making an aggregate Of Sl,25o,oo0
FIFTH, We will construct equally distributed owe
the state nine mechanical training schools each 3
cost Of 100000, and TO consist of general manu-
fseturing whore the poor young men of the oountr.
may be thoroughly instructed Ia scientific aud prac
ticl mechanics and LET the nes earnings OF the Is
adjustment be distributed among the apprentices q
starting capital in business This win MAX
another aggregate OF Si,50oO0o
Sixth wa viii select well distributed and appor
toned spots Of mountain, valley and table wood
lands, the suseuEt Of $4,000 scrss, aud supposnl
the owners would donate them, We viii spproprist
The Of sloO per acre 10 convert these lands int
esmsiries and parks, enclosing them, clearing thsu
Of undesirable growth, aud ornAmenting them wit
fruit Trees, vines, akrubbefy and flowers, making a
aggregate Of ssS,oOOcoo
Seventh, We win select 81 these public plessur
grounds one hundred locations well distributed owe
The State, and on each construct public theatre
cost OF slooiooo, and an appropriation 10 each .
SoeOVo 70 be expended in artists salaries, in fur
niahing paintings and works q the hne arts. wsk
ing another aggregate Of $2o,oo0OOo
Eighth, we viii furnish the people Of The stat
win 900 hfst class bAnds Of instrumental music,
$500. each, and appropriate $4,000 to each ban
per Annnm for ten years a. pay 10 musicians, unal
ing an aggregate Of $5,25O,ooO.
All these sums added together makes a grand AZ
sFegate Of Sl5BsoseooO, and leaving uner2ended /.
tie grand rebel taxation aggregate, The sum Of SIS
$4,000, which may be expended in public and pr
vale charities and perhaps eight or ten million
I'gas probably be expended 10 The erection Of a
,I,ssnse pyramid, with gloomy faces and crowne
wa ae1tks head, as = monument % the infam
N1 uisgrace Of those whose deliberate acts cause
eieAa sacrifice 70 our STATE ana h.,ho1 n, -.
PIE N scescing tear and blcos
Ae assured thai these are op,,
ena hgS~ea The fsll truth ,,, APPROXIMATE lac
~ ssssiei yet in Die f.e' i, s,esl
nAAyinE history Ia the rrssns ma. 49, q all th
pie Hen who then Is ofhcen Of ~ " !. Ne Pc
lshkn O. Harris down, ana a. public s.l's, fro
1ewlIMpeg editors were il fact the .r,.- -s., a
8hthefefs Of this unjust and humiisilns ~ ~ !
are the mea Of to-day who on the ~ lo,,e 20
Highways and by.ways and through ele COW,