The Hickman courier., 1868-12-12
.n,.udnents to city Charter,

to City Charter II
The City Council of Hickman have :
.donted the form Of an act which they
desire to have passed by the Legislature,
giving them additional and enlarged
MOVERS to levy and collect taxes, ere
The act as reported by the Council Com l
mittee we publish elsewhere in this Is
sue revised and corrected d.
Sec. /. Art. 5 of said act, empowers
.ho Council TO assess and collect 81 9V
on each 500 valuation, aud 81 % on
each tishe. This section is precisely the
same as now exists, and need not have
been placed among uee amendments.
Sec. .. defines personal estate to IN
ebldc all moneys, bills, notes, stocks
bonds or any description of property
other than real estate, after deduetIng
from the same the amount of the parties
Indebtedness, whether such be due or
ssssssaosss s5sssi : on "a 10 n" *,
c,ares the Surplus liable TO taxation 10y
the city.
Some of our lawyers declare this sec
ton unconstitutional, and therefore null
and void, even if granted by the Lcgisla
ture This point u shall not attempt
to argue, ouly to remark. that the very
difference of opinion expressed by our
hblest lawyers upon the question, may
foreshadow to us more litigation than we
are prepared or desirous Of assuming.
No branch of legislation is perhaps
so importont as the wise application of
just principles in the matter of taxation,
and every citizen ought to contribute to-
wards the support of the city in proper
ton to their respective abilities, and only
in proportion to the revenue which they
enjoy under the protection of the taxing
power If we bad n national law per-
mitting parties to pay all their taxes at
one and the same place, the justice of
this section would be incoutrovertible,
bat the presumption Of taxing personal
property outside the limits of the corpo-
ration, county or State, must result in
irremediable inequalities and injustice.
We know of 20 means by which we
could determine a mans worth In such
property unless by establishing an inqui-
sitional investigation of the financial con
dition of every person who might pro
pose to settle in our midst and it would
then be a question with many if it was
right to tax him upon property in the
employment of which our city govern
ment gave him DO protection or benefit
whatever. a little thought viii convince
all of many serious troubles which must
of this sec
ton ,.
Section 3, provides that the Council
shall have power to license and levy a
special tax on all commercial brokers.
redlers, dealers in goods, wares, mer-
chandise, etc. By sample or otherwise,
provided 20 additional tax be required
of residents who list their property, or
upon dealers of articles manufactured in
this city. We like the spirit of this sec
ton. Parties who are permitted to sell
anything for profit in this city, upon or
ders, or as pedlers, by sample or other
wise, bringing themselves in competi-
tion with listed tax payers, should be
made to equally and proportionateIy bear
the burdens of taxation. This is a wise
section and but simple justice. 1t is
intended to protect our home manufac-
turing establishments against unlicensed
competition. Our objection is that the
section does not strike bold enough for
the protection of our mechanics. If the
Council would protect manufacturers
they should 90 to work and classify
trade, and specially license every depart
meut. This would unquestionabe take
time to accomplish, but in Il e end would
result advautageously to all. If the
Council can levy special license upon
billiards. whisky shops, beer shops. in
the same house, and owned by the same
party, why No demand a special license
for furniture, saddlery, in the same house
and owned by the same man This is
the only means by which the mechanic
can he protected and encouraged.
Ssetion 1, gives the Council power to
not exceediog &c am6nnf t5zc,7 -. -.,s ~:
State. The Council now has power 70
tax such incomes only /! per cent, and
the object - the section is to increase #
to . per cent. The revenue to be do
rived from this source can be but little
as there are not more than two or three
within our limits, who are fortunate
enough to possess such stock.
Section 3, is intended to enforce /. i
prompt an1 correct listing of all prop-
erty declared subject to taxation.
Section 6, is intended to reach all
property which may lie acquired after the
regular assessment, the first of March ofI
each year and to subject the same to
pro rita terms oftaxation. For instance a
II dry goods house is established after y
ti'e regular assessment, to cause tax to
be paid On the same for the proportion K
ate part Of the year. This we tLius L
right O
Section :, requires all classes of ,ner.
chants Offering to do business in Hick e
han' after their regular assessment Of ~ ~
'ach year, to report to The CITY Clerk la
very invoice bill of goods. etc and ,be St