The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1875-03-17
TAxATION.
SPEECH OF II. T. PATTON,
OF CLAIBORNE,


In the House of Representatives,
February 26th, 1895.
Be 1t resogped. That in.the oninieH
of this Assembly, the rate of State
taxation for the ensuing two years,
should not exceed the sum of TWEEN
ty-f1ve cents on the hundred dollars
worth of property.
ResOlUed further, That the rate of
County taxation in the various coun-
ties of this State should not exceed
that fixed in these resolutions for the
State.
The resolution being under consi3-
Grafton of the House, Mr.. PATTON
SAID
Mr.. SPEAKER After listening TO
the arguments of the gentlemen who
have preceded nae; and especially
the distinguished Judge from the
county ofDavidson, / hope the House
will indulge me a few moments, that
/ NAV speak a word in behalf of my
people. All will admit that the Res
olutions under consideration are
fraught with import to the citizens
of this State, and feeling a deep in
terest in their welfare, ! must, as a
representative of the people, urge
this body to relieve, as far as posi-
BILE, those who sent US here, from the
burdens that rest upon them. / do
not propose to discuss at this late
| hour the cause of this taxation, that
hangs over us like a mighty incu-
bus" 1t is enough to know that we
are under the cloud-and now seek a
way of escape, that we may once
more, as in years gone by, prosper
and make bright with smiles the many
saddened homes throughout the
State.
When the last shot, in 1865, had
told to the moving millions of this
continent that the bloody drama be-
ing enacted had closed, with sorrow
and sadness we gazed at wreck and
ruin. Our finances were crippled
hopes blighted-fields laid waste
and from Carter to Shelby the State
that we were ever proud TO point to
as our home, presented to the eye of
the beholder one scene of desolation.
Since that memorable period that
must live engraven upon the hearts
of all who participated. though
changes have been wrought, we are
still upon the verge of ruin. Think
of it, gentlemen, and go to work
with will. Build up the shattered
fragments of State made glorious
in other years, by her chivalrous sons.
upon plains of blood and gore. Co.
ment the schisms and animosities
engendered by the late scenes of
carnage. Go forth in one common
brotherhood urging a reduction of
tax, that our people may once again
throw off the calling yoke of oppres-
sion, and stand out in the sunlight
of prosperity, redeemed and happy.
Taxes have become oppressive. dis
satisfaction wrankles in the bosom
Of the inhabitants of this State. They
demand a reduction, and we should
make an effort to crafty their de-
sires.
We are, Mr.. Speaker. bound by
the same common interest, aud for
the sake of those we loye-revereing
the memory of our illustrious dead
let us remove the burdens that are
pressing our constituents to destitu-
ton and want Ah think of it and
does your cheeks not burn with
shame, as you see that we are rap
idly approaching an epoch in our his
tory that will end in Reputation and
disgrace.
am low tax man. Those | have
the honor to represent demand a
hearing. The voice of an outraged
people, borne upon every breeze,
should be heard and attention given
to their pleadings. Will you listen
to their prayers, or sink them deep
er in ruin and despair? Will you
prove recreant to those who placed
in you the most implicit confidence.
as men of integrity, honor and ve-
racity, and impose a heavier tax, or
come fearlessly and Tighten the load
that IS bearing them to the wall?
When l look over this intelligent
body, and see the sparkle of fealty
to the peoples best interest CLEAN
from your eyes, then know that the
result will be satisfactory to the
taG ridden you come to serve.
Go to the mountains of my own
loved East Tennessee. Behold them
in their grandeur, as thrown from
the hand of Deity. Gaze for mo-
ment at their towering peaks, glis-
tening in the mid,day's sun, once
beckoning those from other shores
to homes amid their shades. But
now, all is dark. The bright stars
that cleaned in other years as bea-
coa light to emigrants, is obscured.
The cry of taGes tdres reverberates
from her mountains in the East, to
the murky waters of the Mississippi
IN the West Those seeking homes
do not wish to become enthralled.
This mournful sound CRATES upon
their ears, and they decline to invest
For this reason, if none other. we
should reduce the tax If we would
have developed the hidden resources
of our State, if we wouId have I'M
earthed her inexhaustable beds of
iron ore, we must present induce.
ments, invite capital, and herald to
the world that the taxes which are
bringing US to penury and need, are
reduced. Men OF energy and enter
prise will hasten to our borders. and
the future will! unfold to our sadden-
ed hearts the truth of my assertion,
and as we gaze adown its avenues,
prosperity, wealth-all that is calcn-
lated to make US happy-will CLEAN
athwart our sky, and fill our souls
with pride.
Take the report of the Secretary
of the Treasury. He informs us
that forfv carks the nrasant fax mill