The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-12-11

plea for Time.

During the prevalence OF Inc 6pldemlc
the report was sent abroad that Hon.
]. McC. Martin of Claiborne, who rep
resents his county, in the Legislature,
with ability and with credit to himself
and his constituency, had fallen vic
tim to the disease which spared none in its
ravages; and we had duly chronicled his
decease and embalmed his memory with
the sorrow beftting the loss of such
man. We were greatly surprised to find
by the following communication in the
Port Gibson Reveille that he whom we had
mourned as lost, is found. No county
was more terribly ravaged than CIai
borne by the plague. Numerous were
the homes over which the shadow of its
dark wings was thrown; and severe was
the blow to the material interests of the
county. While terror reigned and
death stalked abroad, it was not to be
supposed that labor would not be para
| lyzed and that business would not be sus-
pended in all the avocations, except the
professions whose aim is to minister to hui
man suffering. Mr.. Martin has publish
ed in the Reveille the following letter
containing the reasons why the authori-
ty of the legislative department should
be invoked for the elief of the tax pay
ers. He asks an intermission of such
time in the collection, as will give them
the opportunity of rallying from the pal
sying effect of the epidemic without in
quency. The suggestion is reasonable
and just. Not less than fifteen counties
in the State are in similar condition to
that of Claiborne. We can speak with
knowledge of Kinds. The counties
which have been mercifully spared the
dreadful yellow fever visitation have but
faint conception of its effects upon the
communities that have suffered. To
take advantage OF their Providential cal
antilles and enforce against them with
out the opportunity of escape, the harsh
penalties of the law, in a case so remark
ably exceptional, would be extremely
cruel if not positively unjust. But to
the letter of Mr. Martin:
In the Reveile of the 23d. inst, l notice
that you quote several suggestions regard
ing an extension of time for the payment
OF taxes, from the Kinds County Gazette
with editorial comment. There is scarcely |
a doubt that under ordinary circumstances, |
abatement. aud extension Acts. have work |
ed great harm. There are times, however, !
when both afford much, and timely relief. |
The condition of our county at present, as |
well as many others, seem TO present "A case
in which Legislative action will not only |
benefit our people. but enable them the bet
ter to settle with Tax Collector.
During the late epidemic the County has
been in state of strict quarantine. there
by rendering it impossible for farmers to
secure bagging anf ties with which to pre-
pare their crops for arket. In every dis
trict, $50, of this County the fever has pre-
vailed To greater, or less extent. La
borers have been stricken down with the
fever. aud thus drawl from their fields.
And, in many eases. stock has destroye Ell
entire crops during the sickness of their
owners.
The Revenue Act of 1873. provides ssThat
all taxes remaining unpaid on the 18Th day
of Decem Der, shall Immediately be collected
by the Collector, by distress and sale OF any
personal property belonging to the person
assessed" The same Act gives 20 the Col
lector one dollar for each demand and levy,
also all expenses attending the seizure and
sale of sam. In the event the delinquent
has no personal property, then his lands
are liable to seizure, advertisement and sale. |
Attending these sales are various fees and
fOrteitures that in the end amount TO a con-
siderable sum.
From the foregoing short review of the
law, you see that taxes must be paid by the
18th day of ID ccemb Der, or delinquents' Prop
erty will be SUBJECTED to seizure. 1t is
true, lands are not to be sid until the rst
Monday in March. Meanwhile. though.
they are advertised, and costs in various
forms are accommodating.
Owing to the quarantine, as above men
toned, even those persons who have escaped
the fever. Will scarcely be abe to purchase
bagging and ties, and prepare their crops
for market before the 18th of DecembfI
while those who have been sick, and who
are still so, in the third district, will be ut
terly unable to comply with the require
ments of the law. The law i imperative.
and the Tax Collector. however he NAV
wish to molIify its provisions, is compelled
to enforce it rig'diy.
By reason OF the late amendment to the
Cons: tuition, the Legislature meets only
ever two years; unless convened in extra
seSSi a by the Governor. No relief in the
premises. therefore, can be had otherwise
than by extra session of the Legislatures |
| know how anxious Governor Stone is 10
give the new Amendment to the Consttu-
ton fair trial. But to me, the emergency |
seems to demand an immediate call of The :
Legislature, as the necessities of the people :
are above all experiments.
The question of Low relief is To be given
Is one /. curing caution and considerate ac-
lion. Without >, moving what are the re- .
luirements ofother counties where the fe-
Yer las prevailed, l can see no necessity for I
an Abatement Act. A simple extension of
line for payment of taxes, before resorting
o attachment of property. will afford in s
ny humble judgment. ample relief To
What date this time shall be extended is
u after to be regulated by a variety of cir a
which | need not here mention
At all events. L think the 18th day of Janu- Z
Try next, or the first of February will be I
l trust you will pardon my obtruding up l
IN you these suggestions. Your long ac-
luaintance with public affairs, as well as
earnest desire to promote the best interests l
If our county, rendered me at first diffident q
bout advancing them. But considering c
hat our object is common, / have endeav- C
'red To briefly cite few of the provisions s
II the law, and by application of them to the =
condition of our people, indicate reasons i
Why an extension of time for the payment :
# taxes should be granted
Respectfully Yours, v
j. McC. MARTIN. E
On our first page We have printed let d
of | n