Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-26
THETAx ON MERCHANTS.
An Important Matter for the COnsid-
Grafton OF the Incoming Legisia-

An Important Matter for the COnsidi-
| GRAFTON OF the Incoming Legisla-
| ture.
From the GAINESVILLE Tobacco Leaf, Sept %.
In our article of last week we attempt
ed to notice as fully as our space would
permit the injustice of our system Of tax
alton to the merchants of our State, its
inequality, its Injurious effects on BUSH
ness, or the monetary interests of the
State, and finally its pressure upon con.
sumers. 1t is proposed now to consider
what remedy should be adopted. The
most obvious remedy is repeal by the
Legislature of the obnoxious law, and
the substitution of more just and equal
taxation. This will afford present, but
not full and complete relief 1t will lift
the present burden, but will not place the
mercantile interests on a secure footing for
the future, nor invite foreign capital to
embark within our borders. So long as the
constitution gives to the Legislature
power to impose unequal burdens on
merchants, so long will they be exposed
by the ignorance of legislators of the laws
that govern finances, by their prejudices
or by corrupting influences which may
be brought to bear from without, to an
unequal taxation. Our present Legis-
lature is composed of men who are re-
moved from such influences; but we must
have some rule that will bea protection
against anything that may happen in the
future. So long as there is no security
that each newly elected Legislature will
not exercise taxation, there will not exist
that perfect confidence which is an es-
sential condition Of capitalists embarking
in trade.
So far as we are informed there is not
in the constitution any other State, a
grant Of such arbitrary power to tax
unequally any occupation. The power Of
taxation is and has ever been one Of great
difficulty, and has always been guarded
most jealousy, both in England and this
country, by proper restrictions and safe-
guards. This power to Cypress any class
Of society is an extremely dangerous one
to be committed to any body of men.
In Kentucky the tax on merchandise
is the same as on other property. In Ma
ryland, one of the largely commercial
States, the business is taxed as a priV>
ilege, at certain equitable rate on the
amount of business done. These ex
amPles are referred to because there is
in these States an admitted commercial
prosperity. The experience of these
States whose wealth and greatness is
mainly founded on commerce and trade
81 h. -oforroI - nf1a, o.,of,,I
Outstanding of the workings Of their rev.
enue laws, in introducing a new system
Of taxation in our own State. The rela-
tive efficacy of different systems in raiss
ing revenue is question which should
claim the careful attention of the Lsgiss
lature.
The present system presents induces
ments to fraud and perjury which the
unscrupulcus will not be slow to per-
ceive and take advantage Of The hon
est merchant is placed at the mercy of
the INSCRIPTIONS trader who will resort
to any fraud to evade payment of the
tax thus the State is defrauded and its
revenues uncellected. A system of light
taxation, made general, and Of equal ap-
plication, with careful securities for col-.
lection of its revenues, would bring an
income to the State, rene we'd prosperity
and growth to our trade, and various and
substantial benefits to society generally
In view of the grievances stated and
of the early meeting of the Legislature
and proposed election OF members to the
constitutional convention we suggest
that the merchants Of this city, and the
State generally, draw up petition ad-
dressed to the Legislature demanding
a speedy repeal of this law, and the sub
stitution Of some more equal taxation,
setting forth its injustice to them, its
Gripping effect on their business, its
effects and full bearing on trade and
capital, its total ineficiency as
means of raising revenue, when
compared with more just
and equal systems Of taxation. We sug-
gest that they demand an amendment of
the constitution by leaving out the words
merchant in the clause But the Legislar
ture shall have power to tax merchants.
peddlers and privileges In such m4nner
as they may from time to time direeS"
that they demand of the candidate whom
they support an unconditional pledge to
submit such amendment We would
further suggest that in view of the great
interest at stake on this issue, thyy have
a thorough organization throughout the
State The leading commercial cities of
the State should at once take measures
to effect such-concert Of action, by organ>.
Izing their own associations and core
spending with the leading merchants at
other noints. ~