Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-30
THE MERCHANTS TAX.
An Interesting Correspondence
From the Mernrbis Avalanche

The following, bearing so directly on the
| prosperity of Tennessee, cannot fail to be
read with interest. We hope the mercantile
| classes will relax no effort until the odious
| discrimination of the State laws against
| them ceases to exist:
MURFFEEsBoRo, Tenn, Dec. 21, 1871.
1 MIR. VIM. Moore, Memphis, Tenn.-Dear
Sir and Friend: Having felt deep interest
| m your efforts, and fully approaching your
labors in behalf of the merchants of our
State, feel that owe you my thanks, and
take this opportunity to present them most
| sincerely. Although you failed to accomplish
the desired object, still you have done your
whole duty, and have, in common with
myself, the thanks of the business men of
the State. Our Legislature has adjourned,
and left the merchants without relief
the odious discrimination still pollutes the
statutes of Tennessee. Still l think your
efforts ought not to cease. Never despair
in good cause. You certainly had the CO.
operation of all merchants in the State in
your endeayors. As you, with those work
ing with you, failed, l would suggest that a
different policy be adopted for the future, to-
wit: That your "Board of Trade" your city
being the largest, and having taken more in
terest than any other city, form " Merchants
Ring" If you please-anything to accom-
plish the desired object-and address cir
cular letter to one or more merchants in
each and every town in Tennessee, request
ing an organization of all the business
men in the towns and counties, max
ing it their duty to have a merchant or some
good man nominated in their county con-
vention, who will work and vote to put the
merchant on an equal footing with the bal
ance of their fellow-citizens. / believe this
plan, if adopted, would secure from half to
three-fourths of our Legislature made up
of merchants and good practical business
men; men that would do honor to our State.
| think our State would be greatly benefited
in many respects, especially in its financial
condition, by having good practical business
men to make its laws, and carry it through
its present financial difficulties. | think, if
the matter was properly brought before the
business men of the State in practical
manner, headed by your Board of Trade,
all could be accomplished that we desire,
not only in regard to taxes, but the entire
interests of the State. would be glad to
hear from you on the subject. Yours truly,
2 4 ea II. G. WRIGHT.
MEMPHIS, Dec. %, 1S71.--AIr. Fl. G. |
wright, MlTfreeSD0rO, Ienl.: My Dear
Sir-I have pleasure in replying to yours of
the 21st inst, sympathizing with the mer- |
chants of the State in their failure to receive |
from the recent Legislature the passage of |
an act placing them upon simple equality |
before the law with other classes Of their |
fellow-citizens. Not getting protection from !
that source, they are forced to apply |
(yery reluctantly to the courts |
for equal justice, and are now
arranging to bring the question
speedily up for action. The sugges-
ton which you make about getting up an !
Organization throughout the state to bitter
ly oppose all candidates for any Offices here |
after who refuse to give merchants equal
justice, is already discussed by us, and win !
be acted upon vigorously when the time t
comes for candidates to ask the s1ffrages of |
the merchants of Tennessee. You may re-
ly upon it that no candidate hereafter-frcm |
Governor down to Magistrate-will be
enabled to receive the merchants vote un-
til he pledges to them justice and equality. !
Very respectfully, etc, n
L d. E. ~ - - %h~O~%AA.t