Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-03-20
EEENT TO CHANGERS.
Rtefundins the Cotton FAX.

There has been much talk about re-
funding the tax on lint cotton and it
is now about time for some definite
action to be taken by Congress to-
wards righting one of the greatest
injuries ever done to our people.
The cotton tax was collected on four
crops, including that grown in the
year 1865 and the stock on hand at the
close of the war. Until 1868 the tax
was three cents per pound, making
about twelve dollars per bale. In 1868
the tax was reduced to two and half
cents per pound or ten dollars per bale
of four hundred pounds.
The eaverage annual crop ofNo orth Caro-
liua does not fall short of 140, 600 bales;
80 that the amount Of tax collected from
the cotton planters IN our own State
alone was over SIX millions of dollars.
If it be true that this amount of
money, or the half of it is about to be
r7t"rnAod to the farmers of the Old
North state IL is certainly a cause for
great rejoicing. That it ought to be
returned and in full and with interest
from dates of collection, no man can
we'll dispute, it being now unanimous
ly admitted that the tax was not only
unjust, but unconstitutional.
If it shall be returned, we shall be
glad; if it shall not be returned, we
shall not be disappointed; meanwhile
we beg leave to suggest to the Gran
gers, both South and West, that this
is a splendid time for them to show
their faith by their works, and that
now is the time for farmers to make
Congress do justice to farmers.
The comprimise bill to provide for
refunding the cotton tax, introduced by
Mr.. White, of Alabama, and now pend
ing, is the product of some of the ablest
representative men of the South now in
Congress; but before being passed will
be submitted to a meeting of the rep
rascntatives of the cotton States held
for consultation on this subject. This
bill provides for refunding the tax
levied on raw cotton after June "a,
1865; for commission of three per-
sons to examine all claims and to di-
rect all payments, and for the rules of
evidence. The fifth section, which is
the most important one, declares that
IN all cases taxes shall be refunded to
the parties who actually sustained the
burden of the tax, as follows: First,
the producer or owner in such cases as
he may prove the payment of the tax;
and secondly, to the merchants or fac
tors who in all cases where they have
pad such taxes as agents in their own
name may collect the same for the
benefit of the principal, and hold it
subject to reasonable settlement of
their respective accounts. Provided
that IN such cases the producer or
principal may come into court at any
time before the hearing of the case,
and may file written objections to the
money being paid over to the agent or
factor. The court is then to hear and
determine all questions in controversy
between the parties litigant as to the
INST disposition of the amount upon
The principles of equity held in the
highest courts of chancery, and the
amounts SO awarded shall be paid over
70 the parties so adiudged to be en-
ti'ied to the same. No claim is to be
P&ld until after three months notice
81 The organization of the commission
snail have been published for ninety
days, as often q. cnce week, in one
paper published in each Congressional
astrct of the cotton growing States.
All cotton tax moneys unclaimed al
'ne expiration Of three years are to be
pad over to States in which it was
collected, to be used for educational
purposes.
a good deal of care has beer
taken by the authors of the meas
IRE to harmonic all conflicting in
tefest, and they confidently assert
'nat such a bill can be passed in thu
present session of Congress.