Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-11-04
THE MERCHANTS TAX.

Ine movement set on IoOt rn Mem-
pIiis, adverse to the Merchants tax,
Is calling forth from the press OF the
State, very free discussion Of its In
justice to an intelligent md public
spirited class which constitutes too
small minority q the whole people,
TO hope for relief, except through the
agency Of public opinion. The theo-
~, rs well as the practice of the State
Government, should be equal and
exact justice to all, and exclusive
privileges to none. Unfortunately,
however, for the interests Of good
government, this theory Is repudia-
ted by the Constitution, which goes
SO far, In the opposite dfrectiopr as TO
single out oSr merchants from per-
Sons Of esher vocations, and author
fzes the Legislature to look upon
them as reserved corps, to do duty,
rs special tax payers, whenever fin.
ancial crisis may seem to call for the
exercise Of the unjust power confer.
red by the organic law.
Glass legislation has ever been held
as dangerous to the rights and liber-
ties Of the people, and the province
of Constitution should be rather to
deny this power than to authorize its
exercise. 1t was the exercise of this
power, that, in great measure,
made the Radical government of Ten
nessee 80 oppressive and odious; it is
not surprising then, that dissatislac.
ton should follow the ENGRAVING OF
that odious principle upon our pres
ent Constitution by men-most OF
whom-had experienced the wrongs
that grew out Of ITS reduction to prac-
tice by the malignant tyrants who
ruled them at tie point Of the bay
onet. 1t Is to be hoped, however,
that an Intelligent and patriotic Leg.
islature will see the error committed
by the Constitutional Convention
md render it harmless by ignoring
the power 1t confers to wrong the
merchants by making them subjects
for special and unequal taxation.
= But apart from the violation Of a
most salutary principle the great
point In this controversy--tlle special
tax, here objected to, subjects the
merchants near the borders of neigh.
boring States, in which no such in.
vidious distinctions are made, to q
very unequal competition with the
merchants Of those States. Here, In
GAINESVILLE, we see and feel the inju
rious effects upon our commerce and
commercial men. The law, as il
stands, may be termed class legisla,
ton against GAINESVILLE merchants
and special legislation in favor o
Kentucky merchants, contiguous to
the line between the two States
The law Is unjust because unequal
in its operation, and odious because II
singles outa particular class for wrong
and injustice. Such, we are sure, was
not the intention Of our law givers
but such is clearley the effect, and il
is the duty of the Legislature to cor
rect the error, under which one class
is the special sufferer, and all classes
should repudiate it rs dangerous to the
security of popular rights as well rs
to the commercial prosperity of the
State. Tax all alike, and tax them
enough to maintain the honor ant
credit of the State, but make no dis.
elimination against any one class
thus adding to the wrong, the viola
ton of II great fundamental principle
Of free government. There is no class
of the community more willing and
prompt to pay their taxes, than the
merchants. But when singled Out
for additional and exceptional taxa
ton, they have n right to complain
of the injustice, and we feel assured
that, upon full investigation thei
objections will be sustained by pub
lie opinion.