The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-05-14

I MERCHANTS MEETING.-In accordance
with the call published last week, a meeting OF
| merchants was held In the Courthouse at o.
clock, p. M, Monday.
On motion Of Mr.. Geo. P. Baker, Capt. G.. Z.
Sublett elected Secretary.
On motion of Mr.. Geo. p. Baker, the chair
appointed the following committee to report
resolutions: Geo. P. Baker, j. H. Blackley, d.
A. Kayser and R. T. Foster.
The committee reported the following reso-
buttons which, OH motion of Mr.. I. Witt, were
adopted by the meeting
Whereas, the Legislature of Virginia, in OPP
position to the earnest protest of merchants and
business men of the State, passed, at its late
session, a tax bill containing certain provisions,
whose evident effect will be to impose unequal
burdens Of taxation, and,
Whereas, by it's adjournment we are left with
out redress, except by an appeal to the courts,
therefore be it
1st. Resolved, That regretting the necessity
thus forced Upon us, and declaring that we do
cooperate With the merchants and bushes men
Of Richmond and other portions OF the State III
resistance to the execution Of the tax bill.
End. Resolved, That the honor of Virginia de=
mands the prompt payment of interest ON the
State debt, and to accomplish that object we
will cheerfully submit to any rate OF taxation
that may be necessary and proper, provided 1t
is made to bear equally upon all that IN our
opposition to the tax law we are actuated by
desire to escape from the burden, not because
it is too heavy, but because it is unequal and
III AlSt.
3rd. Resolved, That though the impression
prevails that when merchants are heavily taxed
a per centum is added to the cost OF their goods
sufficient to cover the tax, so that the consumer
really pays it ; we protest against that system
of legislatiolr-whcl compels such self-protec-
ton and places merchants in the odious posi-
ton of tax collectors.
4th. Resolved, That the chairman Of this uire-
ting shall appoint committee OF five, whose
duty it shall be to communicate with the mer-
chants and business men of the cities and towns
of the State, inviting them to appoint delegates
to a CONVENTION to be held i'll Richmond
at as early day as practicable.
5th. Resolved, That said committee. of which
the Chairman shall be the treasurer, be empoW-
cred to employ legal counsel, to issue circulars,
and to collect contributions necessary to defray
the expenses of correspondence and suits, and
i'll the event of a state convention OF merchants
to represent the interest of Staunton and Au-
grlsta county merchants in that convention.
9th. Resolved, That the Senator and members
OF the House OF delegates from Augusta, are IN
vited to address the citizens of the county on
the subjects which engaged the attention of the
Legislature during its recent session, and es-
pecially on the subject of the tax bill.
18th. Resolved that.We appreciate the efforts
of those Editors who have had the independence
to advocate our cause, and in consideration of
the fact that the newspapers are largely sus-
tanned by the advertisements, &C., of the mer-
chants we urge editors to use their talents and
their pens as we'll as their scissors, in defen-
ding our rights.
The chair appointed the following correspon-
ding committee Geo. P. Baker, D. A. Kay
ser, N. e. Miller, P. II. Trout and J. Il, Black
ley.
On motion of Mr.. P. b. Sublett. the meeting
adjourned. GEO. E. PRICE, Chairman.
P. B. Sublett, Secretary.