The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1875-01-06
PETITION IND APPEAL
Or THE

I
buttons made the follo3ing report p th'
ITaxnavers' State Contention, Ja1fuar]
/ 4h. 1873, and it was unanimousll
adopted
70 the 1Essiss,ppi Legislature =
The Taxpayers of Mississippi, Assem-
bed by delegates in Convention, respect
fully show,
That by reason of the general poverty OF
the people, and the greatly depressed
values of all property, and especially OF
our great staple, the present rate OF taxa
ton is an intolerable burden and much
beyond their ability to pay.
To say nothing of the very large eX-
penditures for common schools, the present
rates of hubble expenditure greatly exceed
the amounts deemed sufficient IN former
DAYS of Astounding wed
To-day, the masses of our people are
very poor, and they naturally feel, as
they NAV well demand, that all public
expenditures should be greatly reduced,
and limited by the strictest rules OF econ
omy to the plain republican system made
necessary by their impoverished condl-
ton.
| 1t was hoped by many that period OF
great prosperity would follow the reor-
ganization of the State, and provision was
accordingly made for costly government;
but that hope has given place to despair.
Every day the people have grown
poorer; lands have diminished IN value
wages have grown less, and all Industries
have become more and more paralized.
1t is daily harder and harder for the
people even to live ; and many hearts are
saddened to-day, burthened with dread
least the little home, only shelter for
wife and children, shall be sold away by
the taxgatherer.
These terrible truths show that the
present rate Of eXorbitant expenditures
must cease, or the means Of the people 10
paw will soon be utterly exhausted, and
their government will be disorganized.
\ wise statesman will be careful to con-
slider the wants of the people, and studl-
Gus to devise, and prompt to apply needtul
remedies, and this is what we respectfully
ask from the representatives Of the people.
We are satisfied that public expenditures
car be very largely reduced without I'M
pairing the efficiency of the public service.
1t should not be forgotten that the
Southern people in their poverty, have
now to bear many burthens, unknown
here in former times. The public, debt
of the United States is enormous, and we
all contribute, Indirectly it may be, to
pay the increased federal expenditures.
We may never see the taX-gatherer, but
we pay the taXes-they make part of the |
price Of the goods we buy. In addition
to this, we have the large expense Of our
common school system. These large items !
may doubtless be greatly diminished by
wise economy, and the people may bear
them, thus limited. as necessary burdens;
but the fact thai with strict economy,
such burdens may continue to be great,
is a strong reason for rigid economy Of
wherever it. is possible.
1t must be remembered that the people
Of Mississippi suffer not only from thef
enormous burdens OF needless State ex-
but also from gross waste and
Of Boards OF Supervisors;
added to these are the heavy local burdens
hat fail upon the inhabitants OF cities and Il
owns andthe unhappy people of the
LeVee districts. .-.s
In September last, Senator Sherman !
aid to the people of Dino: 1
The first requisite of a party to adj
Minister the government now is ec0nO3nu
he most difficult to practise, especially t
tter period ofgeeat expenditure. What t
We most need is very large reduction in G
Ocal taxes, and still more, a very great a
imitation of the power of local taxation. 7
VOW lnnumerable local authorities, coun C
les, towns, cities, ETC., have authority r
levy taxes until this amounts, in MANY p
asses, to cOnfscation x :; d
pom this question of local taxation. we
ught to have no party, or soon incomes Il
I'll be absorbed by taxes" c
Apt words these, and wise, even when a
idressed to the people of rich and pros f
7rous Ohio. With what added force do C
ley apply to us who suffer under greater e
local burdens, with the additional !
eight OF enormous State expenditures
10 show the extraordinary and rapid h
crease of taxation imposed on this i'm. ii
'verished people, we will cite these par v
eulars, viz:
In 1869, the State levy was 10 cents on m
e hundred dollars of assessed value of re
nds. - =,
For the year 1871 it was four times m
great. For 1872 it was eiqht and a hnIfl te
mes as great. For the year 1873 it ,ons in
eIlse n9,d :, 4 ,If t,,~o,- -