The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-06
BRANDON FARMERS AND SsE-
CE11NuCS' CLUB
The Subject of Taxation.

On Friday evening last the Farmers and
Mechanics Club of BranGon held their
weekly meeting, which was attended de-
spite the severity of the weather. by good
sized audience of members and citizens gen.
orally. Hon. y. r. Spraguc, Jr, the
President of the Club. was in the chair,
and after the usual half hour being used in
the transaction of business the following
"Is it right or in accordance with Re
publican principles to exempt any class of
property from taxation =
This question, unlike many which this
Club have had up for discussion, is one that
gives hut little opportunity for n diversity
of opinion or q conflict of arguments. The
consequence was that the debate was not
made as interesting or exciting as NEST any
other question. which has two sides, would
have been. The object for such discus
sions by this Club was gained, inthat it clio
tied much valuable information in regard to
the system which governs our nation in re-
gard to the exemption of certain public and
governmental property. This is the point
aimed at by this organization, TO gain in
formation and knowledge one from the
other on each side and elicit every phase of
the question discussed, in order, at the
same time, to arrive mt the right conclu-
sions.
Col ii. H. Merritt, who had been APP
pointed at the last meeting, opened the de-
bate in general way, for discussion by
those who should follow him. The subject
was one which interested every one who
carried Stamps in his pocket. It was the
cause moreover of more litigation and
dispute than almost any other subject in
every day life. The colonies rebeled and
declared themselves free and independent,
from this very cause-unjust taxation.
Property was the basis of all taxation, and
when there was no property there could be
no tax. The inquiry tonight was, shall
all property goods, real estate, and every
thing we possess, be taxed according to its
true value. In this no doubt there would
be n difference of opinion. If we lived in
the Indies, when they live on what they
| produce and which has been for centuries
the wealthlcst nation ON the face of the
earth, we would live on the means provided
there and in the trade with other countries.
But in this country, when we started in a
wilderness, it became necessary TO raise a
| tax for the erection of roads, buildings and
other improvements, and everything then
had to be taxed, as we were without any
public property. 1t was necessary for all
to pay tribute for their improvements
which were made for the happiness and
prosperity of the nation. This progress
had been going on ever since until now as
have the invention of railroads, steam
boats and canals and become land of pro-
| gress and wealth-rich in county, state,
town and school district, with many
wealthy men scattered all over territory.
| The inquiry is again, shall our railroads,
churches, school houses, money at intent,
and all that bears the name of property
it all be taxed? Churchmen say that the
churches shall not he taxed, the district
say the school property shall be exempt,
the lawyer might say that me must not pay
penance for the right of distributing the
law, the minister thinks he ought to be
exempt for dispensing the gospel, and the
doctor in healing the sick. We all know
the great clamor then is made because the
railroads do not pay anything for the sup
port of the government OF Vermont. Men
may say that they should be taxed as much
as his farm. Taxes certainly would be
less If il were not for the large salaries we
have to pay to those who gather up this
money. Others may say that the railroads
are making no money and therefore ought
not to be taxed, He thought that If the
state of Vermont should pass a law oblig-
ing the railroads to pay a tax that some
would cease to run, or, If not, they would
increase their rates and gather from the
people tariff large enough to make good
the balance. In relation to other kinds of
property he did not think proper to tax