The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-04-30


MEETING OF STANTON MERcHANTs.-At meeting
OF the Merchants and other business men Of Staun-
held at the courthouse Friday evening, April "a
1874 to consider the proposed tax bill now before the
Legislature OF Virginia, Mr.. Davis A. Kayser was
called to the chair and Hoge requested to act as
| Secretary.
On motion, Resolved, That the Chairman OF this
meeting he authorized to appoint committee OF five
to draft suitable preamble and resolutions express
i've OF the injustice done the merchants in the tax bill
now before the Legislature in taxing them unequallJ
with other OF the State and report the SAME
| to this meeting. l@s
| The Chairman appointed Messrs. Geo. P. Baker P
B. Hoge p B. sublett, J. H. Blackley and w. Nc
Cue said committee, who made the following report
which was, on motion, unanimously adopted:
The undersigned committee appointed to draft res
olution expressive OF the sense Of this meeting up
the tax bill now under consideration IN the Legls
l. Resolred, That we have read with great concern
the tax bill now pending in the Legislature Of Viz
giuia that we have watched its progress with in
tense solictnde, and that it seems to be upon
its passage, and likely soon to become law OF the
Commonwealth unless effort is put forth to arrest
it. and expressing willingness to pay fair and
equal tax with other tax payers, yet are utterly
regarding that portion Of the tax bill that relates to
and effects as merchants as discriminating aud
| proscrptive tax against one class, we have deemed
to be our right and privilege to express to the Leg
isature through our representatives, our earnest
End. Resolued. That said tax bill is oppressive in
its character and destructive of our business as
class, as well as pafayz TO The pest interest OF the
State and whilst the avowed object OF its advocates
is increase the of the State its oppress
i've features will defeat that end by forcing Merchants
to abandon their business and seek other employ
ments.
3rd. Resolred, That in the opinion OF this meeting,
said tax bill is i'll opposition to the spirit of the
stitution of Virginia, which guarantees equal taxa
ton to all.
4th Resolved That the grateful thanks Of Merchants
everywhere in the State due to the Senator from
Augusta for his earnest able and manly efforts in
opposition to the passage of this bill.
9TH. ResoJped That should such tax bill in its pres
ent form pass both houses of the Legislature not
withstanding the earnest appeals OF Merchants, we
do hereby invoke the interposing OF the Governors
veto to prevent the contamination OF an act at once
unconstitutional subversive Of the interest OF
large ana important class OF business and calculated
by its provisions to defeat the object aimed at
9th. Resolged That in our opinion the two () cents
per gallon spirits manufactured in the State,
in addition to the license tax is oppressive, because
it is discrimination against home manufactur
ers and in favor OF the manufacturers Of other
States.
It'll Resolved That these resolutions be printed in
the newspapers in city, and that copies thereof
be sent forthwith to his Excellency the Governor OF
Virginia, and to our Senator and Delegates in Legis-
lature assembled. by the President OF the meeting.
with the request that they will, in their several
pacitieS. listen to our prayer
On motion, adjourned.
DAVIS A. KAysER, Pres't.
p B. HOee Secy.