Richland beacon., 1878-03-02
The Revenue Bill.

Mr.. McGchCe remarked tne other
day, in debate, that it had been the
endeavor of the committee that
framed the revenue bill to tax every
thing that the mind of man could con-
ce,ve of that had an appreciable value
and there is ample evidence TO show
that be made correct statement
The bill bears him out in all respects,
and the wors, part of it ia that it will
require a large and efficient force ci
detectives in connection with every
assessors and collectors Office, armed
with searchwarrents, to carry 1t into
effect. The bill Itself realized the
price of glory Sidney Smith warned
Brother Jonathan of-"taxcs upon
every article that enters the mouth.
covers the back or is placed under the
foot-,axes upon everything that is
pleasant to see, hear. feel, smell or
TASTE"
We like the glory of republican in
s,itu,ions as much as anybody does,
but we submit that such taxes as
these cannot lie collected otherwise
than by penal statutes and the max
ing of a failure to pay taxes crime.
Either the man who wears watch
without license, or is unfortunate
enough to receive o salary OF more
than $1,000 a year. mnst be placed
upon the same level as the smuggier.
or the ilici, disliler, or the vendor OF
unstamped tobacco, or this revenue
bill is q miserable and laugbable fall
ure. 1, is an absurdity to pass law
and at the sane time make provision
for it's enforcement, aud we see To
other way Of enforcing the taxes emu.
mera,ed 10 this dill than that we have
suggested. Indeed we doubt wbeth'
or the ingenuity of man has ever in-
vented any other.
There is no civil process by which
the money in a mans pocket can bt
taken cut of it, or his watch taken
from bis person, and we do no, know
Of any process except a search war
rent by which an officer can enter
citizens house and rummage through
, his trunks to tind out " hat articles b'
has in his possession that are taxable
under this remarkable law. Tb'
+ members Of this Legislature ought t.
, know that no such proceeding as tbi
. would he tolerated one moment
!, The assessor VIII would undertake
, faithful performance of his duty unde
r this bill must needs lie a most recE
less and foolbardv individual. unles
be has company of Dragons at hi
y. back. 1t is safe to prcphes!y that b
= will hardly get through With NOR
:. than one household before he will flu
e himself utterly incapacitated for ful
y lher public service.
# 1t would he amusing and instrut
e tive to follow and watch some asse.
g sor, more bold than all the rest, star
o ing out with the ardor of one wb
y has mission and knows it, and is d.
Y termined to discharge his duty. W
e see him going through the parlors (
o q eentlimah's residence, assessing b
d carpets and furniture, rummaging b
g safe and side-board in search Of plat
and demanding admittanee to m
lady's bedroom, and access, to b.
d jewelry box and portemoDnsie. The
2. there will be the library, the famil
D. bible, Upper and the patent Office r
). ports-nothing is sacred. Ho
ii smoothly the business would 60 or
e. How eagerly the lady Of the bou'
'e will display her jewels aud handso"
0. plate. and the gentleman read alou
IS the catalogue of bis old school hool
1t and patent Office reports and 9th
t, standard works. while the assess
r stands by and figures up the tax
It these articles. They are all made o
Re iects of taxation. and the console
n tious assessor must include them
b. bis rolls. Tbe bill euumera'es
"household goods in excess Of S2'
worth, all plate. jewelry, works Of q
v libraries, pictures. except family pc
,e traits :" and besides. these things.
IN salaries or incomes 10 excess Of 500
a and all money on hard.
bi In addition to these taxes, viii
10 are utterly beyond the power Of c.
b. lection hy any civil process. there
Z, not a single trade or profession