Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-01-13
THE CITY.
a Lettcr for Mayor Johnson and the
New General Council 20 Read.
What People from Abroad Think OF
Our city Tax system-Grfnding
and Crushing.

EDITORS APPEAL am an old citizen.
| regret TO see people quietly submitting
| 10 q system of taxation which pTacti-
/ cally reduces them to a condition next
| TO slavery. Here we have a city gov
ernment which assumes the right to
levy taxes at a rate which practically
| forbids any improvement. Thousands
of people come here from the Northern
States and elsewhere to invest money in
city property, but when they learn that
all property is taxed four and half per
cent, they, very sensibly, retire in dis
gust. Others think Of improving their
property, but, when they calculate the
taxes, give ii up; and they are right.
Now, what Is the use of Inviting immi-
grafton in the face of this state
of things? 1t is simply folly. None
but fools are willing to put their
necks in yoke, and not one in thou
sand who comes here is willing
to stay and submit to these impOsitiOns.
But what is the remedy? For the Legis-
lature to change the system altogether.
The State, city and county are deeply
in debt, but does it follow that people
must be taxed by a system that practi-
cally makes slaves of them? Take, for
example, the city of Memphis. Here
We have reached the enormous rate of
two and half per cent, and to add in
suit to outrage, Taxpayers are ordered
like slaves to come forward and make
sworn report of all their property, in
cluding their pocket money Any sane
man can see that this is equal to a warn
ing TO all migrants to keep out Of the
way; and to others to remove their capi
tai to safe place.
The result is, naturally, that much
property is thrown upon the market and
necessarily deprecated and the source
of revenue diminished. One thing for
the Legislature to do is absolutely neces-
sary, and without it there can be no
prosperity here-I mean specially in
this city and cOunty-to change the
laws so that none can vote for subscrip-
tion to railroad or other public improve
ment but property owners. For exam
pie, suppose you own ten or twenty
thousand dollars in city property-what
right has a party not paying taxes on
such property to vote tax upon your
property, for public improvement, or
rather for the benefit of a railroad COM
pany; or perhaps for the benefit of
specializing contractors? The idea is
No man not owning
has a right TO vote a tax upon
other peoples property for any purpose.
p The press has been signally remiss in
its duty upon this subject. Here we
have a location for a prosperous city,
scarcely equaled by any on the counti-
nent. And Memphis ought to have
now population of hundred and fifty
and soon would have under a
fair system of taxation.
If these outrageous burdens are taken
of, people will come from all quarters,
the city will improve, and the value of
taxable property be increased, so that
sufficient revenue can be obtained with !
out the oppressive and insulting meas
ures now endured.
1 hope you, Messrs. Editors, or
some other person having time
and talent, viii present this sub
ect TO the Legislature in its
proper light. For me, 1 have little time |
to write for the press, but am deter
mined to get rid of this outrageous sys-
tenn of taxation, at any sacrifice that |
may be necessary. Hoping the press
will do its duty in this emergency, l am,
A VICTIM.