Smyrna times., 1871-03-15

The NEW TAX BILL.-The new tax bill re-
Gently reported to the Legislature by the Com
mittee of Ways and Means of the House.
entitled An act taxing Manufacturers, and
for other purposes, is meeting with deter
mined opposition, especially in New Castle
county, where it will be most severely felt.
This bill requires that all persons engaged in
the production or manufacture Of any goods,
wares or merchandise, shall take out license
for the same, and shall make out a verified
statement OF the aggregate cost value of all
the articles manufactured or produced by him
or her during the preceding year-said aggre-
gate cost value to consist of the original cost
OF the raO material before 1t is manufactured
together with the cost incurred and the noncv
expended in producing the same The sum of
hve dollars shall be paid for the license, and
in addition the sum of one dollar and fifty
cents on the amount Of said aggregate cost
value, If the amount of the same does not ex-
ceed $1,000, or if it does exceed that amount,
then the sum of Is cents for each one hundred
dollars of such cost value Parties are exempt
If they do not manufacture over $500 worth.
The principal objection to the bill is that it
taxes mans business, not the profits of his
business. The manufacturer is taxed for the
amount Of goods he makes instead of the
amount he sells; merchant is taxed for the
goods he buys, which may be sold at a loss
In other words it makes the industry instead
of the accumulated ,oea'h of the State bear
the burden.
On Friday evening last public meeting was
held in Wilmington, Geo G.. Lobdell in the
chair) to protest against the passage of the
bill which was largely attended by the leading
mcr'rr-'- manufacturers. 1t was decided
that the new was worse than the old tax law,
and the most decided opposition was manifest
ed towards it. A large committee was formed
to prepare a memorial to the Legislature.
The committee met on Saturday evening and
prepared the following:
MEMORIAL.
To the Senate aud House Of the Stat. Of
The undersigned representing the Manufacturing CONNER
an % 1 tne state respectfully but
pending before the Legislature for this following
partial and UNEQUAL ~ s opeatlon nasmuch
-. saeh etLen 10 poporton 20 n wealth ad ability to
oasy .s W r b on PSr a. T3 e5smps % Others who are
and It is because il taxes the industry instead
Of the accumulated wealth OF the State imposes
unnecessary burdens those who by their skill Industry
their capital adding wealth
BY secumulatOns drawn from abroad,
provisions Of the bill taxing merchants
lecturers equal to the cost all the goods
manufactured during the Immediately preceding (which
goods manufacturers have already paid OF
one per cent? and which amount be greatly Of
les. than will % bought manufactured during
Snieh the tax II paid aud and will be attended
With much trouble it bgin2 impossible for
say with any degree Z" accuracy what the manufactures Of
zoe previous have them II will also be- attended with
great trouble and the future, and will
suny for dishBuest make fraudulent
fh IL is unjust and injurious the interests the State
because imposes the capital Of corporations which
Manufacturing whether consisting
~ personal property ane also the business and II
She capital OF persons or firms from such taxation.
on The bill ls objectionable because II nquistoria In
compelling to make their private bust
ness affairs public which citizen Ia required do.
therefore respectfully and earnestly that
honora0e body will repeal all existing and
law VIII secure Just aud uniform of
Real aud PERSONAL which shall tax for Connty and
state purposes to be collected BY the
thst every one reaping the benefit OF the afforded
by the state should be taxed ia proportion wealth.
A large committee from New Castle county
proceeded to Dover on Monday evening, and
through its solicitation the bill, which had
passed the House, was reconsidered, and is
now thought it will be defeated