Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-02-16
PROTEST.

The following protest on the part OF
number of delegates of the Constitutional
Convention is about the only SEN
sible thing that some of them
have been guilty Of since being
elected. We cannot see why the
merchants should be singled out as an
exceptional class in the just and equal
distribution of taxes. They are not
an Objectionable or bad part of the COM
munity. We do not want to drive
such as engage in mercantile business
out of the State. They are not drones in
society, but, on the contrary, they build
mp and add greatly to the wealth Of the
State. This class of our fellow. citizens
should have the protection of the law as
much as the farmer, the doctor, or the
lawyer. Instead of the Convention dis
eliminating against them, it shoald
discriminate, il at all, in their ia
vor. This set OF old forget-me-nots "
who compose the Convention are
guilty of adopting an ordinance
knowingly and Intentionally disfasos-
ing a large aud important class OF
the State, evidently showing their
want of capacity to make Constitution.
We hope never to hear again the plea
nut forward that old man are only fit to
make laws for the government OF the
people. 1t has been frequently remarked
by those who have looked upon the Con-
yeution in session that the members who
constitute II SHOULD be respected for
tbsir long experience and venerable APP
naarauee. We are as much inclined to
reverence gray hairs as any onei but
when they make man an imbecile,
then sre they to be pitied and not foist-
ed into positions. where young and
vigorous intellects are only expected to
lead. As every dog is said to have
his day, SO the old politicians Of renns'
see have played their parts, and nothing
now remains but to quit the stage.
The following is the protest read BY
Mr.. Heiskell in the Convention on Satur-
day:
The undersigned having voted against
the nropositiou to except merchants from
the protection OF the Constitution, and
from the rule OF equal taxation gusran-
tied TO other classes Of the community,
ask leave to enter protest against Shat
thew regard as declaration that the
merchant il not entitled to the rights OF
O citizen.
We think that the principles Of consti-
tutionsl government require that every
elase of men shall be entitled TO the same
protection against oppression aBd against
UNEQUAL burthens. which are guaranteed
60 other classes. The provisions inserted
BY the Convention, borrowed from the
Constitution Of 1884, declare that all men
shall be taxed equally except merchants
and peddlers. Why they should be
singled out and subjected to q rule Of
taxation absolutely prohibited IS to any
other citizen. the Subscribers cannot we'll
preceige. They can see 10 good reason
why merchants should not, on the same
principle, be excluded from the protec-
ton OF the Constitution as TO trial By
iurT. or habeas corpus, or the clauses
which give every mao for an injury
done him in his lands, goods. person
reputation" a remedy BY due course
of Law.
1t seems TO Ne that such proposition
Is no worse than this power expressly
conferred on the Legislature TO impose
upon o small class Of citizens all the
burdens Of the State. II. for 8 period
which has elapsed since 1884. this power
had remained without exercise, or II the
power bad been exercised with any re
gard 70 principles Of justice, We nigh
be less reluctant TO submit to the viola
ton Of the principles Of free and jus
government, contained 10 this objection
able clause of the organic law Bat VI
know not, only that the existing power Il
contrary 70 just principles, but that 4 hA'
been continually exercised 20 dIscnmin-