The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-03-27
OUR LETTER-B BOX.
PoLrrrcAr sueeEsrfoNA.
HAanIspund, March "a, 1874.

tnelr ueleBaJe3 III OOuVenLlOn assem-
bled, have just announced a platform
of principles, believed to be the best
promote the diversified interests of the
whole people Of this young and
promising Commonwealth; and by the
same authority have presented full
complement Of names as candidates
for election to the several official po-
sitions Of this State = names that
justify the expectations Of o strict adj
herence to the principles embodied
in the Democratic State platform.
In q former article it was intimated
that vitality important measures af-
lecting the interests Of the people of
Oregon, and especially the people Of
the Willamette Valley, should, and
would likely demand some action Of
our National and State Legislatures.
The first, in point of importance is
the improvement of the Willamette
river. The State Democratic Con
yention recognized the absolute ne
cessity Of such improvement, and
others Of like character pertaining to
our State, and firmly invokes, and
seems to entirely rely upon aid to be
attained from the general Govern
ment to accomplish these almost in
dispensable objects. But looking out
upon the history of the past, taking
into view recent developments, we
have slight encouragement to even
hope for any substantial assistance
anywhere in the near future to ena-
bic us to realize the objects of our de-
sires by Congressional appropria-
tons. Therefore, if we desire and
expect a successful execution Of the
work we must rely upon our inherent
strength and Independent resources
as q vigorous, enterprising and pros
porous people - employing such
agencies as the deliberate and legal
expression of the people may die
tate, whether it be through the me-
dium of Conventions or Legislative
enactments.
/ will not make any additional sug-
gestions to that of my former com
munication at present, relative to
the method to create the means to
improve the willamette river, but
will venture u suggestion to the Linn
County Democratic Convention that
is to meet at Albany on the 25th of
April next, to give this subject, at
least such attention as will direct
public investigation preliminary to
some definite action.
The law prescribing the way that
property must be assessed to raise
taxes to defray State and county ex-
penses will doubtless engross the at
tention of our next Legislature. The
present system of manipulating taxes
from the people is evidently defect
i've, if the complaints Of the taxpayers
ire to be taken as evidence. It is
true there is no part Of the hachin-
cry Of political economy that is SO
difficult to adjust and keep in har-
nonious action as that which regu-
Iates taxation, and 1t is impossible,
constituted as we are, to frame and
enforce any law that
would deduce exact justice and obyi-
lte errors and hardships in every in
stance. Self-preseryation, that in
lerent law of our being that prompts
rs to defend our person and accumu-
ate property, to enhance our physi-
'al and. social rights, keeps jealous
md vigilant watch over the products
i our care and toll. Hence, when
iver the demand is made for lis to
siye up part of our substance, we
nstinchvely inquire: "Why is it
hus?" 1t would be much better for
he laboring classes Of our people if
II the expenses Of our Government
iere raised by direct taxation. Then
hey would know how much they
aid and for what purpose, and
lould be ready to resist unjust ex-
ortions, But as it is, the larger
ortion of taxes is abstracted from us,
ldiroctly through our popular pro-
active tariff system that soothes us
18th the blissful ignorance of its ST.
mt absorption of our substance. -
Ve are unconscious of its effects, and
ael no ground for complaint. Lot
MS suffice for this; fear fruitless
neorizing Of the general system Of
lxation.
But it may bo not without profit
D some of us TO notice our local di-
Get taxing system in some of its !
bearings, Our worthy
'ounty Assessor has just issued a
reclamation notifying the Taxpayers {
I Linn county that he will visit the '
arious precincts at certain times I
nd remain o certain number of days
t each place, and during his soioun
the several precincts he commands
Il the taxpayers to appear before
i'm with ready made out list Of {