Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-09-20
WEDNESDAY, MORNING. SEPT. 20, I87I

WEDNESDAY MORNING. SEPT. 20, 1871
THE MERCHANTS TAX-TTs REPEAL
Must NOT INCREASE OTHER TAX
rs
Everybody comedies that the mer-
chants tax is too high. 1t is running
the merchant, grinding the people
and INJURIOUS to our cities, as they
cannot pay exorbitant taxes and COM
pefe with those in neighboring States,
whose merchants are not loaded down
with taxes on the trade that builds
m their cities. The next Legislature
Of Tennessee must heed the clamors
Of the public, and lift from the shout
ders Of the tax-ridden merchants the
burdens which are bankrupting them,
and driving trade from our State to
localities where merchants are free
from the heavy taxes imposed on
them in Tennessee.
But, say the pensioned pimps OF
the bond-hOlders, who propose 10
speculate on the sweat and toll OF the
horny-handed laborer: "Ifyouremove
the tax from the shoulders Of the mer-
chant, you must place it somewhere
else.U Not a bit of it. Every other
interest is already weighed down and
and staggers under the load Of taxes
imposed to pay the interest on bonds
issued in violation Of law and traf-
licked of by rOgues to villains. The
tax upon merchants is too heavy,
and the consumer wants it re-
pealed, because it comes out
of the pockets Of the people. But
nothing would be gained by the tax
payer, if, by a reduced taxation
he buys his merchandise cheaper while
paying a higher price for something
else. That the merchants tax will be
repealed, or greatly reduced no one
doubts, and no one opposes; but the
member of the legislature, who votes
to impose this tax upon other prop
erty. will find himself in a hornets
nest. and he'll think that each jsvelin
is run by steam power.
During a recent discussion in Hi
nois upon the subject Of taxation, we
notice that the doctrine has been ad-
vanced that nothing should be taxed
unless it pays rent or yields a pecuni-
ary profit to the owner; that no tax
should therefore be levied Dr. collected
on idle property, or property not en-
ployed in reproductions; that only
those things which are producing rent,
interest, profit to the Owner, should be
assessed for the support OF State
and municipal government. Thus,
land not in cultivation should pay no
taxes; town lots not improved should
also be exempt; all houses, store,
shops. mills, factories, when not
occupied and in actual use, should be
exempt; so all moneys and per
sonal property, when not in use,
should escape taxation. "Only
those persons should be taxed who
keep their capital employed. The
protection of the laws must be ex-
tended to all persons and things; but
the cost of this protection should be
exclusively borne by the industrious
and the property actively employed
in producing rent, and none other.
One half the property of the commu-
nity is to be saddIed with the whole
burden of taxation; the other half is
to he released because il is not earn
ing rent or used in reproduction" We
cannot endorse fully this position,
speoious and plausible as itmsy seem,
for capital invested in lands and city
lots, instead Of being idle property, is
generally active as there seems to be a
constant advance in this kind Of prop
erty. But while we would tax lands
and property not in active use or
affOrding the owner any income, we
would not have the tax 50 high that
the owner would be forced to sell at
a sacrifice. We ,epeat, then, that it
is contemplate ~subteFfuge and bald
demsgoguery, arrant triekery and
knavery TO lift the tax froL1 the mer-
chant because it is crushing him, and
place it upon the shoulders Of the
landowner, who is already crushed
with onerOus taxes. Our popular and
efficient tax collector, VIM. McLain,
will bear witness to the distress of the
tax payer and to their complaints Of
high taxation. The long advertise
ments of the tax-cOllectors in
every county in the State Of
fering land for sale for taxes,
and the urgent appeals for delay,
should move the hearts of the men,
bers Of the Legislature. Instead of
imposing additional taxation upon
landed property, that already ssddled
should be greatly reduced. Labor is
disOrganized; the people are in debt;
the war bankrupted them; crops have
failed, and taxes should be reduced
until the people have time to recu-
perate, to free themselves Of debt, re
organize their labor system, and build
up the 7 wasted homes. We say to
the bcnd-ho'ding sharks, bewareI The
people expect to pay your Hl-gOtten
gains; but eupidity impelled the ava
ricious fool to kill the goose that laid
the golden egg, and your greed, if not
moderated, may yet lose you the
pound Of hesh which your whetted
knives are ready to cut from the vitals
Of the people.
THE COTTON PROSPECT.
A dispatch Of the 18th nom the Ag-
.s.-Ha--,T D. a