The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-29
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Continued from second page

I NSOllluuou lEOLu SSCOHu pdSC.I
We are here at this time, under this
new order of things, to repair damages
to tighten the burdens of the people, which
have become so oppressive, and to try and
save their money in the future
1t seems to me that nothing can be more
appropriately adduced as an argument in
favor Of some change in our present rev.
enue system, than the extravaganza of the
past, of which | have given some little in
dication whilst attempting such defense as
1 have deemed necessary of those who
have in good faith and with earnest inten-
ttions, set out upon this long needed re-
form for redress of the public grievances
In reference to the proposed amend
ment of the constitution under considera-
ton, as I remarked at the outset, it is one
LOT the most important questions that has
| yet engaged the attention of this house,
and deliberate consideration of the gues
\ ton is not waste of time. 1t proposes
new system for the purpose Of revenue for
support of the government 1t proposes
to reverse the order of subjects of taxa
ton as now existing in the first section Of
the article of the constitution on revenue,
first taxing specific subjects, leaving prop
erty which is to be taxed by valuation as
| the last resort, in case more revenue is
needed. The constitution, as now exist
ing, provides for raising such revenue as
may be needful by levying a tax on prop
erty by valuation, but that the general as
sembly shall have power to tax certain
lucrative occupations, professions, fran
chlses, and the like-such as brokers, fer
ries, insurance, telegraphs, express in
| terests, persons, or corporations owing or
using franchises and various other specific
objects The essence of the proposition
before us is that this order shall be re-
versed and these specific subjects shall be
taxed in the first instance, leaving property
by valuation to be taxed only in case more
revenue is needed. If there is ANYTHING
that should engage the attention of this
house, and especially those gentlemen who
are styled reformers, it is that system of
taxation that will relieve the burdens of
the people, and which will eaualize taxa
ton so that it shall not be entirely in favor
OF those oppressive monopolies of which
the people SO much complain. This prip
| ciple in our present system, which taxes
with such precision the minor industrial
pursuits of the country with Indifference
as to the more favored and We athy classes,
will occur to every one as wrong 1t is
this principle which retards the progress
of the development of the country; that
it is wrong must be admitted without argu-
ment. The man who goes out upon the
broad, desolate prairies and develops a
farm, should rather be offered premium.
But under our present system Of revenue
he is loaded with taxes.
This question was debated in the consti-
tutional convention, but, regret to say.
was not so fully and forcibly presented as
by the gentlemen MIR. Inscore and Mr..
Bogue,) who have preceded me. The
principle of taxation proposed would pre-.
vent the injustice complained of from the
acts of the state board of equalization. 1t
would take away this perplexing question
of valuation, whereby so much injustice is
done to the taxpayer and property holder.
1t is especially intended to relieve the ag-
ricultural classes. AS has been we'll re-
marked by the gentleman from Cook tMr.
Bogue, the man that labors upon the
farm he owns, receives less remuneration
than a man of any other occupation. 1t
would seem, therefore, as if this class of
the taxpayers are first to claim attention
They are constantly enriching the country,
assuming no right of their own, whilst ar
; rayed against them are various classes of
monopolies, whose progress is such as
should be checked, rather than fostered by
, any principle of exemption from taxation,
Take, for instance, the express lines of the
state. which it is proposed to tax specific
ally. They comprise one of the greatest
and most lucrative monopolies in the carry
ing business in the country Under our
present system these do not bear their due
proportion of the burden of taxation
, Everything at the present day is tending
toward monopoly, and the spirit of aggres
sion is still onward The day is not fal
distant when all the railway lines in the
nation will be embraced in one grand con
solidated monopoly. These suggestions
are not so much In argument as an asser
ton of self-evident truth, covering the
whole subject now presented. This princi
pie of taxation will do more toward indi
yldual enterprise, toward discouragin.
monOpolles, and towards the building III
of minor industrial pursuits than any otne
principle Of taxation that has yet been sug
gested.
The remaining question is whether thi
4 system OF taxation will afford revenu
y sufficient for the support of the govern
ment. This has been clearly proven b.
the gentleman from Union Mr. Inscore
and the gentleman from Cook (Mr. Bogue,
| think it has been clearly shown by thes
gentlemen that with the fund derive
from the Illinois Central railroad thi
:. mode of taxation will afford ample revenu
for all purposes, This being the case
there seems to be no reason why it shout
not be adopted.
In conclusion, by way of apologizing fo
abiding to the remarks of the gentlema
from Mclean Mr.. Stewart or his priv
eyed question. have not intended in any
thing have said to reflect upon that ger
q tleman, nor his motives. Whilst his RI
marks we're not considered appropriate t
= the occasion, yet perhaps they were not S
much out of place as might at first appear
Pleasant illusions of this kind are some
- times INDUCED in by the gentleman frol
Hardin (Mr. Platter which we enjoy &
D proper and instructive. Laughter
This question, although coming from tt
other side of the house, is not partisa
question. second it accordingly as sucl
! and wish, in all sincerity to give credit
whom it belongs. / believe it to be a r.
form, though it may proceed from that p
| litical party with which am no longer a
ting. Applause.