The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-03
BRANDON FARMERS AVID 1IE-
CHANCES CLUB
'Ehc subject OF Tn nation.

ghc SuDyeCt O1 az Nuttou
On Friday evening last the Farmers and
Mechanics Club of Brandon held their
weekly meeting which was attended de-
spite the severity of the weather, by good
sized audience of members and citizens zen
orally Hon. n T. 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
question was laid open for discussion, viz
is it right or in accordance with Re
publican principles, to exempt any class of
property from taxation y
This question, unlike many which this
Club have had up for discussion, is one that
gives but little opportunity for Il diversity
of opinion or a 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, nthat it clio
tied much valuable information in regard to
tliC SWIM WI 5'hNiilo Nbl lltAllpAA III ~
gard TO the exemption of certain public and
governmental property. This is the point
aimed at by this organization, 10 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 at the right cOncli-
sions.
Col. II. H. Merritt, who had been APP
pointed at the last meeting, opened the de-
bate in Il general way, for discussion by
those who should follow him. The subject
was one which interested every one who
carried Stamps in his pocket. 1t was the
cause, moreover, of more litigation and
dispute than almost any other subject in
every day life The colonies rebelled 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 difference Of opinion. If we lived in
the Indies, when they live on what they
produce and which has been for centuries
the wealthicst nation ON the face of the
ea.th 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 al be taxed? Churchmen say that tic
churches Shall not be taxed, the district
say the school property shall be exempt,
the lawyer might ray 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 clam3r 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 it 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 he taxed. He thought that If the
state OF Vermont should pass law oblir-
ing the railroads to pay tax that some
would cease to run, or, if not, they would
increase their rates and gather from the
people II tariff large enough to make good
the balance. In relation to other kinds OF
property he did not think proper to tax
church property, Some would be sur.
priscd at the large amount of church prop.
crty, even in Rutland county. When tax.
ing the census in 1870 he was certainly as
tonshed at the result. There were sixteen
schools in Brandon and sticklers might say
they all could pay tax. Should these be
taxed ii would lessen the tax of all othcl
kinds of property. But would it be just {
Our legislature has passed law exempting
these individuals who came into our state
to build up our manufacturing interests fol
the space of five years This was wise and
laudable, simply because our rivers are in
terspered with falls which induced foreign
capitalists to come in here and the benefit
we derived should be great. In regard tC
school property he did not think Mr., A. hat
any more right to vote away the property Of
Mr.. b. in school meeting than he had tc
steal it out of his pocket. He had seeer
this done by men who would mot seut
their children to school, The speaker ex