The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-04-09
THAT REJECTED LETTER.

I'VE received a call one day this week
from Sylvester Hill, of Waterloo, the
author of the letter published below.
1t will be remembered by some, per-
haps, that this communication was re-
jected when received on account of its
bitter personalities. Mr.. Hill has con-
sented to have the most Objectionable
its publication in the present shape, we
yield reluctantly. We want it distinct
ly understood that we do not, by giving
it room in our paper, endorse its state
ments, nor do we wish to be held re-
sponsible for them in the least. We be-
lieve in the strict enforcement of the
law for the collection of taxes, aud
while we have great faith in the moral
or ''higher law" we do not believe the
people can be made to sustain the gov
eminent under it. The officers should
be careful of abusing the almost absO-
lutte powers which the law sometimes
places in their hands. We suppose there
are two sides to this case as in all others,
and much as we regret dragging pri-
vate grievances into a newspaper we
shall publish a reply to this if one is Of
fered.l
WAUsHARA Feb. ID, so.
EDITOR EMPoRIA NEws-Dear SIR:
am an old man, and this is my first
attempt at writing an article for publica-
ton. If you will insert it in your pa
per you will oblige me and perhaps
subserVc the cause of justice and hui
| manity.
have for many years been n tax
payer, OH a small scale, in Lyon county,
and have never had the sheriff after me
yet, but this year only escaped by the
''skin of my teeth" Last spring the
Assessor, after footing up the valuation
of my personal property, informed me
that had the amount of two dollars
subject to taxation. Not being quite
ready to pay the tax on my land when
| it became due ! gave myself no uneasi-
ness about the two dollars of personal
property, not suppOsing it would be no.
| ticed. But few days since / received
| by mail tax receipt with the following
| fearful array of figures: State, .O2
State school, .0l; county, .G; town
ship, .Ol district school, .O6 penalty,
oil total, IL, Personal property, Ssh
| On the back of this receipt l am in
formed, by true gentleman whose
| kindness ! wish TO acknowledge, that
he found this amount in the hands Of
the sheriff; that he paid it and sent me
! the receipt. ! should not so soon have
given publicity to this affair had not
been stirred up to it by a solemn public
reproof for having spoken against the
powers that be" behind their backs
and been accused of using the word Tit
tie, with reference to the act. Now
deny that used word SO INEXPENSIVE
and barren of meaning. but if perchancC
l did, l make haste to take it back. And
as have no words made of the com
pound extract of the superlativcs of al
languages, with which to express m!
contempt, first, of State enactment:
which put such possibilities into the
hands of greedy aud remorseless office
holders second, of the officer in put
ting the matter into the hands of thu
deputy sheriff; thirdly, the act of tina
officer in receiving it to carry to the eN
IRENE border of the counGr, and b!
overriding all justice and moral law, t.
extort from me fees and mileage to thu
amount of nine or ten dollars, simpl!
because the letter of State enactment
makes it possible. This may look Xix
strong language, aud L must confes
that my blood is up. A legaliZed wron:
was committed upon me and others. j
: was oppressive and unjust. Can we no
have the tax law so amended as not 4
be at the mercy of officers who seek t.
fill their pockets by oppressive con
structiye fees and mileage. Voters, lie
US look to this matter hereafter.
SYLVESTER HILL.