Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-11-11
THE FARMING INTERESTS.
Light Taxes where Light Taxes Will
Do GOOd-A Protest from a Farmer.

To the Editors OF the Union and American:
In your issue Of Thursday appears the
memorial of the merchants to the Legisla-
ture, skillfully worded and al cdptdidum
style-seeIling to relieve themselves, and for
this am very far from censuTing them, but
when they seek by sOPHIsTRY AND sPE-
GAL PLEADING TO place the burden Of
taxation upon the farmer, (already too
heavily laden for the prosperity and welfare
of the merchants, and for this they are now
complaining because the poor farmer Is so
pressed that he cannot buy their gOods,) the
farmers respectfully but earnestly protest.
The farmer is taxed upon his land and all
his stock Of ten times more than he can re-
alize therefrom. The merchant is taxed
upon his stock Of goods and pays for the
privilege of selling, which he conStrueS into
a privilege of adding whatever per centUm
upon original cost he chooses, TO cover
ali taxes; and all this, as have
often been informed by merchants, comes
out of the farmers pockets. If we could
have any assurance that the merchants
would reduce their per centum if the Legis-
latlIre would let up upon them, we should
favor il. but not to the extent Of having
aDy more placed upon farmers who are now
and ever have been hewerS Of wood and
drawers Of water for the rest Of mankind.
One iota more of tax upon the farmers, and
nv word for it, you destroy in great meas
ure the farming interests, and rip open the
goose that lays the golden eGg-a sulclda!
policy indeed for the merchants to advocate
If they be aware on which side their bread
is buttered.
| hope our worthy legislators will take
into consideration the ease and facility with
which all occupations and professions come
together upon call to foster their respective
interests while the farming community
relying upon the good sense and justice OF
our lawmakers stand alOOt. But II meas
ures like the one sought to be carried by
that Memorial are to be effected by concert
Of action and banding together, 1t Is high
time that the farmers should hold some
meetings themselves and appear indignant.
II is a fact that cannot be gaiusayed that
agriculturists are bearing the larger share Of
State and national suppOrt,an with rare eX-
ceptions.as the farmers know and our Leg
islators ought to know, that they are not
making one per cent. upon their capital,
profit that would by no means satisfy any
merchant. Then with what propriety can
the merchants call upon the General As
sembv to reduce their taxes and place II
upon farmers? We think that we are the
worst oppressed class in the world in the
shape Of taxation, and while the mechan-
icS' rings railroad rings merchants rings,and
all other rings seem TO be especially sensitive
when legislation runs counter to their way
Of thinking the voice Of the farmer is not
heard. but he bears his burden like the
steady old paCk-horse without a murmur
s.Why should this be thuS2' That it is so
is doubtless an agreeable fact 10 the mem
hers Of the General Assembly, since too
much memorialzing and petitiOning offer
confuses what would otherwise be wise ant
lust legislation. The farmers of Tennessee,
are laboring for less profit than any othe
vocation or occupation. Agriculture is un
der a dark cloud, aud they cannot therefor
hear additional burden. No; let legisla
ton tighten upon tie ftrmnr, and max
money pay its share of taxation, and let az
riculture tioWgish and prosper, and the mel
camille and all other vocations will feel il
beneficial effects. and the Legislature wi
not be troubled, in this event, with an
more memorials from the merchants.
Ii is not in harmony with my reading
observation thai trades can flourish whll
agriculture langl,ishas. More in deta
anon. -r, AhNE Ia
In THE COUNTRY, Nov. 10, 1871.