Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-12-04
TAX ON MERCHANDEsE.
large and influential Meeting
Of Nashville Merchants
on the subject.
Committee Appointed to Confer
with Me mphfs and Knox
vile Mel chants.

A large number of the merchants OF
the city convened ct the Office Of the
Commercial Insurance Company yes
terdsy evening, representatives being
present from the following business
houses, to-wit:
On motion, r. II. Gardner was called
tn the chair, and ID. r. Doris, Of the
Banner, and James T. Bell, Of the Union
and american, requested to act as Sec
retaries.
John ". Terrass stated that the meet
Tag had been called at the request of
committee Of merchants from Memphis,
who desire to have conference with 8
view of petitioniDg the Legislature to
repeal the onerous rates of taxation on
merchandising. He was not aware when
the committee would arrive, but he had
been notified of their coming.
Thomas D. Fite then offered the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions
WHEREAS, The operation of the clause
Of the revenue laws, imposing the one
per cent. tax on merchandising, is 3
grievous burden on the labor and inter-
ests Of the commercial class, and in its
results fails to accomplish an increase of
the revenue of the State, by deterring
capital from investment in that business,
and diveFting trade to cities in which
the onerous tax does not embaTrsss mer-
chants; therefore,
Resolved, By the merchants of Nash
vile, That committee be appointed to
cooperate with those of Memphis, Knox
vile and other cities in the State, in
framing a report on the subject to the
present session Of the Legislature, to be
accompanied Dy petition soliciting the
modification of the revenue laws in this
particular.
Resolued, That the announcement OF
commerce by lava, equal, liberal, and
just, aa compared with other branches OF
business, is absolutely demanded by the
best interests of all classes of tie eonJnu-
nifty; and that the mercantile commu-
nifty of Tennessee, uDd.r the present tax
rates, are unable to compete successfully
with the merchants OF cities in States
contiguous; and that az 8 consequence, g
large portion OF the capital OF citizens OF
all classes is monthly being drained from
the borders Of this State; and that this
is ia violation OF sound political economy;
specislly Injurious to a single business;
and should be promptly Temedied by ap
propriate legislation.
Msj. B. S. Rhes moved thsir adoption.
Brief remarks were made by F. II.
French, T. d. Fite and B. s. Rhea, when
the resolutions were unanimously adopt
ed.
R. G. McNairy moved the appointment
of committee representing the differ
ent branches OF business, to confer with
committees from Memphis, Knoxville
and other cities, in regard to framing a
report, and appealing to the Legislature,
which motion was carried.
The Chair then appointed the following
committee:
Banks, James Whitworth groceries,
John W. Terrsss tin ware and stoves,
J. w. Wilson; cotton, Dr. G. n. Ordwsy;
hardware, II. A. McClaugherty dry
goods, It. D. Fite; cPockeTy and China,
A. II. Hicks; drugs, ]. 7. Pendleton
boots and shoes, A. G. Adams; clothing,
John z. White; iron, @. Z. Hillmsn..
1t was then moved and carried that
when the committees arrive, they be re-
quested TO report to Judge Whitworth, at
the Fourth National Bank, who will then
call meeting Of the merchants.
THE meeting then adjourned.