The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-11-20
TLe IuteIliReneer Explains.

The Intslligencer of Tuesday presented
the plain proposition "that all property
shall bear the burdens of government
alike" The Federal bonds being prop
erty" we naturally inferred that the
Mtslligenctr was in favor of taxing
those securities. That inscrutable jour
nal ferccly rejects any sach interpreta
ton. We, of course, give our cotcmpo'
Iary the benefit of the disclaimer. We
wonld like to know, howeTe er, III what
way "all property shall bear the bur-
Leus of government alike" it the bonds
arc to be exempted from taxation ii
,I,. J,t,ITo,uccr wants the bonds taxed,
why does it now denounce equal taxa
tion as a rcpudiation scheme II IL
don't want the bonds taxed, why does 1t
insist "that all property shall bear the
burdens of government alike = Or, to
beplainor, if it don't want to be laughed
at for its splendid specimens of nincom-
poopery, why don't its managers keep
green hands away from the thunder
pump, and let somebody run the ma
chine" who don't carry his brains in the
vicinity Of his ccat-tail !
For the amusement of our readers. we
reproduce a substantial portion of the
Htelliqeacer's article of Tuesday:
We have no wish to argue the propo-
stiOn contained in the Constitution,
that all property shall bear the burdens
OF government alike, save such as is
expressly excepted by that instrument.
1t seems TO Us the only just rule on the
subject. 1t is certainly dangerous to
put it in the power of legislation to in
fringe so fundamental principle.
Whatever msy he said of it in theory,
the beginnings of all exemption from
taxation are dangerous aud the results
calamtous. 1t is sure to end in loading
the statutes with class legislation and
in multiplying unjust Determinations,
under which those who have the most
will contribute the least for the support
government.
Comparing the statements of the
above with the ex planation of yesterday
We have the following:
Prop. lst. "All property shall bear
the burden of Government alike"
Therefore, "The taxation of the bonds
is repudiation."
Prop. I'd. at (equal taxation) is the
only just rule on the subject"
Therefore, "The exemption of the
bonds is the perfection of Justice"
Prop, Sd. at is certainly dangerous
70 put it in the pOyer OF legislation to
Infringe so fundamental principle Gas
equal taxation)."
Therefore, "The fundamental princi'
pie is the untaxed principal of the bond
holder"
Prap. 4th. "The beginnings of oil
exemptions are dangerous and the re
suits calamitous."!
lueTelOEeJ Leu US OAShP' WV "OHN'
and defy results"
Prop. 9th. at (exemption) is sure t.
end in loading the statutes with clas
legislation and in multiplying unjus
determinations, under which those wh'
Lave the most will contribute the leas
for the support of the government"
Therefore, Let us legislate in tn
interest of the bond holding class,
multiply unjust determinations fo
their benefit, heaping taxation gpo!
iaoQr and eXempti9n upon capital, 81
that the rich may get richer and thu
poor poorer, for, devil take them, the,
are used to it anyhow"
The meandering of which the aboy
Is q faithful picture, the Intelligence
calls its proposition, specifcall,
stated" and wants the REGISTER t
SAY categoricaily whether it is in fayo
ofOr opposed to this proposition 7" T
which we beg to respond with an equal
iy lucid inquiry: If thimbleful O
brains would furnish the IateHigencc
with fatal surfeit of ideas, how lon
Will that paper thrive on its present r.
uons OF sapf Answer "categorically.