Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-05-01


AGAINST THE TAX.-The largest and
most influential meeting of merchants that
has ever taken place in Staunton was held
at the Courthouse Saturday afternoon, to
enter the protest of that class OF our cltl-
zens against the new tax bill as far as it
| affects them. There were not half dozen
merchants of the city absent, and the deep
| interest shown in the object of the assem-
blage and the weight of character of the
men composing it, testified to the impor-
lance of its purpose. 1t was presided over
| by Mr.. D. A. Kayser, of the dry goods
trade, and Mr.. P. B. Hoge. of the produce
and commission trade, acted as secretary.
Mr.. F. M. Young, explained the object of
the meeting. Mr. Stuart, the Chairman OF
the legislative Finance Committee, he said
had reported bill which, while he would
not say it was to take care of the 'grangers,'
was certainly to take care of the farmers,
and still more certainly was not intended
to take care of the merchants. 1t is very
easy to talk of the merchants sprofits,"
but if he makes ten cents on a barrel of
flour and you take five for the support of
his family and the other five for taxes, his
profits fade away. All the merchants want
is the same show in the matter of taxation
as the other citizens of the State, but that
this bill does not give. Under it there are
some merchants here who will have to pay
tax of $500, Ia voice Eyes, $500 OF $780, ~
Ger ainly that tax is disproportionate.-
We are ready to bear our share OF the bur-
den in paying the public debt, but we de-
mand that it shall be equally distributed. :
Mr. J. Fl. Blackley called for the read
ing Of the clause in the Constitution relat-
ing to taxation, which was read.
The Chair then under resolution APP
pointed Messrs. G.. z. Baker, P. B. Sublett,
]. H. Blackley, P. B. Hoge and VIM. A.
McCue, committee to prepare resolutions
for the consideration of the meeting, and,
after retiring, those gentleman returned,
and submitted the following:
The undersigned Committee appointed
to draft resolutions expressive OF the sense
of this meeting upon the tax bill now under
consideration in the Legislature OF Vlr-
ginia, respectfully report the following;
1. Resolyed, That we have read with
great concern the tax bill now pending IN
the Legislature of Virginia, that we have
watched it's progress with intense sollcl-
tude, and now that it seems to be upon It's
final passage, and likely soon to become a
law Of the Commonwealth, unless an effort
is put forth to arrest it, and expressing our
willingness to pay fair and equal tax
with other taxpayers, yet we are utterly
opposed to an unequal tax upon any class
Of citizens, regarding that portion of the
tax bill that relates to and affects us as
Merchants as a discriminating and pro-
scrlptive tax against one class, we have
deemed it to be our right and privilege to
express to the Legislature, through our
representatives, our earnest protest against |
its passage.
End. Reso7ued That said tax bill is OPP
pressiye in it's character and destructive Of
our business as class, as well as paralyz-
ing to the best interests of the State, and |
whilst the avowed object of it's advocates
is to increase the revenues of the State, its
oppressive features will defeat that end by |
forcing Merchants to abandon their bust
ness and seek other employments.
3rd. Resolved, That in the opinion Of this
meeting, said tax bill is in opposition to |
the spirit of the Constitution of Virginia,
which guarantees equal taxation to all.
4th. RESOLVED, That the grateful thanks
of Merch ants everywhere in the State are |
due to the Senator from Augusta for his |
earnest, able and manly efforts in opposi-
ton to the passage of this bill.
9Th. Resohed, That should said tax bill
in it's present form, pass both Houses OF
the Legislature, Notwithstanding the earn
est appeals of Merchants, we do hereby in
woke the interposition of the Governors
veto to prevent the contamination OF an
act at once unconstitutional, subyersive OF
the interests of a large and important class
of business, and calculated by it's own pro-
visions to defeat the object aimed at.
9Th. Reso1red, That in our opinion the |
two ~ cents per gallon tax on spirits man |
ufactured in the State, in addition to the |
license tax, is oppressive, because it is |
against our home manufac- |
turers and in favor of the manufacturers |
of other States.
9TH. RESOLVED, That these resolutions be
printed in the newspapers Of our city, and |
that copies thereof be sent forthwith to |
His Excellency the Governor of Virginia,
and to our Senator and Delegates in Leg |
islature assembled, by the President of the |
meeting, with the request that they will,
in their several capacities, listen to our |
prayer.
G. P. BAKER,
P. B. SUBLETT,
J. FL. BLACKLEY,
p b. HOGE