Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-02-26


---- lH ~
To the IToporable President and Members
of the Constitutional Convention, now
in session ut the City Of Nashville, State
of Tennessee:
The undersigned were, at full
meeting of the GAINESVILLE Board of
Trade, held at their rooms upon the
18th inst, appointed, empowered and
instructed to prepare a suitable pro-
test against the action of your hon.
orable body in excluding from the
protection of the organic law the
commercial interests of the State Of
Tennessee. With due Difference to
the dignity, ability and moderation
displayed by your honorable body,
we humbly protest against your ac-
ton In the matter mentioned. While
the action Of the Convention does
not subject the merchant to aihigher
rate Of taxation than that imposed
upon other interests, yet the exclu-
ton of the Constitution Indicates the
conviction of the majority to be that
capital engaged in commerce should
be subject to a higher rate of taxation
than capital engaged in other pur-
suits. We most earnestly disclaim
any intention to evade the just bur-
dens of taxation, and only desire to
enter our solemn protest against un-
equal taxation, and a policy which,
while protecting all other classes
from such manifestly unjust legisla-
ton, singles out one class and sub
mIts them to the mercy Of all future
Legislators. 1t cannot be said that
the great, commercial interests of
Tennessee are less patriotic than 9TH
err interests Of our commonw ealtli,
neither do we claim to have entitled
ourselves to credit greater than our
fellow citizens; yet we do with mod
esty assert that the legislation Of the
past four years has borne more heav-
lily upon our interests than upon
those of any other class. If the Con-
stitution shall shield from unequal
burdens all other classes. Of the pOpu-
lation, we know not why we should
be excluded from its behignant guar
dianship. Experience warns US that
legislation may again Cypress us, as
in the past, and to leave the question
open would only result in introduce
ing a new element into the politics
of the State, arraying classes In op-
position to each other, when, in fact,
their interests are identical. We re-
specially submit the following rea-
sons against the action of your hon
orable body in respect to this matter
1sr. 1t Is contrary tn the spirit Of a
democratic government, for all classes
of citizens should bear the burdens OF
State equally. ...s ..
l ~ . a., ~ A. ,,.s AL ~
the amended Constitution, for it first
declares that mo one species of pro-
/ perty from which a tax shall be col
lected shall be taxed higher than any
other species of property of the same
value" and Immediately exempts
from so just q provision a large class
of the commonwealth and an i'm
mense capital. ..ys.a.1, r.. s,,...-'.
! Sd. 1t is unjust that capital en-.
| gagged In one permanent pursuit
should, be taxed higher than in an
/ other. 80. .,~
4rH. To tax the, sales Of mer-
chant in lieu Of his capital, Is to tax
him in accordance with tire energy
and industry he brings to bear upon
his business. 1T Isl chain upon Iii.
efforts and an enemy to thrift.
1 9TH. 1t Is impolitic, for the pros.
perity of agriculture Is in exact nc.
cordance with the success of com
fperce. 1t Is impolitic, for the pros
perity OF, the cities and towns of tn,
Estate depends upon the energy ant
thrift Of the,nlerchant, and the breat
Of the niechhnic is greatly dependent
upon the activity of commerce. 1t Il
impolitic, for the crippling of com
merce only destroys the market af-
kordea the planter for his supplies ant
produce. .<t.... ..r,,t.ri..gr y,
9TH. 1t will not accomplish til,
purpose intended, for the, ,merchan
will be forced to add to- the price O
his merchandise to reimburse him fo
an unequal tax, and this in turn vii
disable him for competition with thu
merchant of foreign cities, and yielS
him no compensation for his dimin
ished trade. SKI.
! Humbly praying that your honor
able body will see fit to reconside
your action In this matter, we vii
.5, 800 I.EoPoLD BLOCH,
.f.,-.- II. II. LURroN, X.
JOHN. +. CoUTs,
.t...s,.. Committee.
ED. H. LEWIS, Vice-Pres.