The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-01-30
Taxe. ana Vretbod. Of Relfef.


To the Editors Of the Clarion:
Taxes, the rate and the means of collec-
ton are always vital to the interests of
government, and just at this moment very
large proportion of the people of this State
are looking anxiously for the results of the
proposed legislation on this subject. Many
owners of real estate, pressed for the means
of living, and hoping that another year will
bring tsbetter times" have allowed them
selves to be returned upon the tax-roll "de-
linduent" It cannot be that this has
resulted from carelessDess, or from settled
purpose to defraud the State. The 'sdeiin-
quent list" embraces many of the most
worthy citizens OF the State. There must
be a reason for this condition of things
We think it is attributable: 1st. To exorbi-
tant taxation. 81. To an unsettled condition
of our labor system. Sd. To a decrease in
the value of products. 4th. To vicious
legislation, by which, where the colored
population predominated, it was impossible
to produce and protect the necessary sup
plies of food for home consumption.
Now, whether or not we have ascertained
the real causes of delinquency, legislation
having cured the defects of title for Glands
sold at tax sales,'' the State, after fixing the
value upon these lands, has1 forced them
Upon the market, bought them in for less
than a tenth of the s,g0r1l value, and now
holds them by a bona .fde title. Can the
State afford to speculate upon the misfor-
tunes of it's citizens? Has the State ex-
hausted its means of affording relief? For
it is relief and not relentless exaction, that
the people need.
But it is asked, is it not an injustice to
those who pay their taxes, to relieve these
delinquepts? Suppose we confess it unjust,
which in truth we do not, has not the ln1us-
tice already been done-and will it mitigate
this injustice, or afford them any satisfaction
to see the homes of their neighbOrs subjected
to purchase by sharpers and Spectators?
If the delinquent is allowed to redeem his
property by the payment OF the tax Tor
which it was sold, this would greatly in
crease the revenue of the State; and now
that legislation is in the hands of the tax
payers, and order and confidence are restored,
there is good reason to believe that industry
and thrift will prevent recurrence of these
delinquencies. We do hope for better times.
If they come not, and that speedily, nothing
but disaster awaits us, for year by year our
planters are growing poor, and there are
only few who are as "well Off" as they
were when the war was terminated.
If the State retains its title to these lands,
the taxes are lost, the property will yield
nothing, and many needy families will be
be deprived Of homes and the means of
scanty support. 1t may be that the extreme
poverty OF some of these delinqnentS will
require additional legislation, but in the
N meantime provision ought to be made for
the benefit of such as aoM and can redeem
their land.
In these days of s'tramps' and STRIKES" it
ought to be the policy of legislation to pro
tect and assist the citizen, even at sacri-
flee. The State can better afford to loose
the unpaid taxes, than to thrust out from
their homes an already mpoverished people.
viii it, can it, remOrselessly exact from this
" i'm poverished people" the pound OF
flesh 2" JUSTICE.