Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-10-19
sUsGESTivE.


sUGGESTIvE.
The unequal yokipg OF West Tennes'
ace with the eastern part of the state IL
quite apparent when we beginto compare
the large amount Of taxes paid BY one
with the small amount paid by the other.
We published in last Fridays issue Of
the LEDGER statement of figures, show
inc the assessed value of property IN the
State. and the disproportion Of taxes
Maid by East Tennessee with the other
div;s;ons of the State. The statement
shows that Shelby county alone pays al-
most as much taxes into the treasury Of
the State as the whole of East Tennessee.
Bat with all this East Tennessee is ell.
lowed twenty. seven Representatives,
while Shelby county is represented by
three members only in the State Leelsla'
ture. Now, If the first maxim OF our
Government is to be observed, that rep
rssentation and taxation sreinseparable,
then should not Shelby county be entitled
TO an increase of representation in pro-
portion to the amount OF taxes PAID
by other portions of the State
In other words, the theory of our Gov
erument should be more explicitly nm
derstood and acted upon of spportionipg
representation according to taxation.
This idea is prominently put forward BY
oar Federal Constitution in section 2,
article /, which requires that representa-
ton and direct taxes snail be appor-
toned among the several States accord
ing to their respective numbers, adding
tbree-fourths of the slave population
Tbree-fourths Of our slaves were counted
in and composed basis of representa-
ton for the Southern States previous TO
their being freed by the results OF the
var-and the same amount was counted
in the apportionment of direct taxes
upon each of the States by the Federal
Government. This is simply in accord
ance with the general theory OF our 'sov-
eminent, that representation and taxation
20 hand in hand. IL tihst rule should
continue to be adhered to, then Shelby
county would be entitled to an equal
share Of representation with East Ten
nessee in our State Legislature. II
the Constitution of the State. which
requires that all property shall be taxed
according to it's value, and that the same
shall be equal and uniform throughout
the State, then our Constitutional Con-
veution, which is to meet soon, should
take this matter in hand, so as to put
cur people on an equal footing with the
other portions Of the State IS TO repre-
seutation. We, the people Of Shelby
county, pay more than one-sixth Of the
entire revenue of the State. and for that
we are only allowed voice in the selec-
ton of four members TO the General
Assembly out of the entire number OF
one hundred and nine. "a
The proposition 70 change the repre-
sentation of the State according to the
assessed value of property belonging to
our citizens, would doubtless meet with
opposition from East Tennessee, who,
in ante-bellum times. were forever
preaching through the mouth of it's
prophet, Andy johnson, the red-mouthed
Democratic doctrine Of white basis.
This would be fruitful theme for
demagogues TO declaim against, bat We
hope our people have learned,
from the trials and sufsrings
through which they have passed. 9
reasonable amount Of common sense.
The object of the Government is in
tended as much to protect property as
the lives of the individuals, and while
we would not rank the latter with
the former, it is nevertheless to be well
taken care of by wholesome legislation,
Who, then, are the proper persons to
enact laws for the preservation Of tbs
individual wealth. Of the Ststei Ger
tainly not those alone who do not pos
sees it. The proper persons who should
: have the care of peoples property arr
the men who have made and accumulated
il by hard toll and with the sweat Of thei
brow, not the slothful and iuproviden
dsmsgogue whose life is spent in a hun
after Office. We throw out these sag
gestious for the thoughtful of our people
and hope they may be properly con
sidered.