Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-04-12
VIc., C;,r. the F.rInrr.

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We are graiiied 10 Published the re.
marks of Mr.. Monroe, delegate from
Hampshire county, made in The recent
legislature upon the assessment oil
Daring the discussion OF the ASSESS
ment Fill. Mr. Monroe moved 10 strike
ont a portion of section exemp;iEe Ger
tain property. In support OF ih's he
made the isiowir. speech: ''W ncE
made the motion TO strike out, l was
not aware that was striking against
! live hornets nest, but, hape, IT can
get the attention of the House, {" hive
some of them; neither did Iexpect tor a
/ moment 10 find opposition coming from
! the farmers. I looked for Il from an
other quarter. Mr.. Speaker, we are now
acting upon the most delicate and Sen-
sative sltjsct tha, Legislature cah
touch,a snhiect tha, the people are more
/ interested 10 than any other upon which
we arc called Ia act, one at which they
vince, and tremble as though you were
touching the apple OF their eye.--Aii
taxation is a species OF tyranny, aud can
only be tolerated or justified when de
manded by the absolute necessities OF
the State and the good OF the people.
Hence every duty devolving upon MS
admonishes us 10 bc careful 10 impose
the burthen equally aud fairly between
! al. classes of our citizens
The provisions I propose TO strike ont
are clearly in violation of the lo'h anti
Gle OF the Constitution, which says that
taxation shall be equal sud upiiorm,'ht
all property shall lie taxed. Every ci,i-
zen of The State shall bear his equal por.
ton OF the burthens OF the State IN pro-
portion to the property he has. II this
bill was constitutional | would oppose
it because its effects are unequal and
unjust Mr.. Speaker, do no. propose
to play the demagogne, but ! will say
without the fear Of successful ccntradic-
ton, that there is no class that is taxed
as the farmers are---they have 10 bear
the brunt OF all taxation, for the lapd
cannot dodge. Aud | am sorry 10 say
that while the farmers deserve all the
protection that can be afforded. II APP
pears that every species of legislation
is resor,ed TO 10 oppress him. Where
are the boasted clausmen of the sons OF
toll who profess 10 stand here, like Pc
olpidas and Epaninopdas, with their
shields locked in defense ottbeir rightsl
Look at the inequality, If You please,
between the toiling farmer aud he mon
ey loaucr The farmer, in many insinn'
ces. is taxed tor what be hasn't cot, and
twice for all he has. The farmer may
owe for his land and be paying interest
ON his debt, still he is taxed for the land
and cannot escape il, while the money
lender has many chances TO dodge, sDd
only required to pay lax on BIS surplus,
above his liabilities.
The farmer pays tax on his lsnd aud
for all young stock he kcepe, over
year, that he grazes and feeds. lie
again pays on tho enhanced value Of his
stock for every spear Of grass, and cy-
cry grain OF corn they have eaten. The
hardy woodsman who buys 100 acres Of
land for S200--goos into the forest aud
wrestles with the giant oaks. clears of
his land, erects house ord barn worth
SI,090-thc very next year BIS land Is
taxed, at sl2 .n acre, thereby taxing
his sweat and toll; the very axe with
which he ielIs the trees is faxed, aye,
aud even the rags that covers lIir iiilo
ones, and the mortar in which he pounds
his corn, are taxed. know tbsi this
thing of taxation is the most diiiicolt
problem that we can undertake; ] know
that :bere arc inequalities and hardShips
which we cannot remedy, but for hca,-
ems sake don, let us impose additional
ones; let us not he deceived BY sIecisrs
and deceii!al appearsLcee- i tell you
Mr.. Speaker, the land has 10 siapd inc
brun,, and every subject Withdrawn
from taxation adds 10 tho tax oi The
land. /. takes a certain anoun. Of rev.
enue 10 defray The necessary expenses
of the Government, aud wherever one
species of property is withdrawn from
taxation the deficit must be made up by
adding 10 soma other. Our State tax ia
20 cents on the si00-Dow suppose for
illustration that the real snd personal
estate in this State were equal now
Withdraw lac personal estate from taxa.
ton, aud You must Of couuc levy 40
cents on land 10 raise the same amount.
The renter and the man owning no land
would profit by il, but the poor dray
horse farmer wonld have 10 foot tie bill.
II is proposed to exempt Tor The farm
er few little iow-bead cows, some
lambs and pigs scarcely valued at any
thing. while you exempt from mines
and manufactures millions upop mil
lons. Beware ] tell yoo, when It is
proposed 10 take dollars ont Of your
pockets willie you sre only receiving
pennies in exchange
A REMARKABLg CAsE.--JobI Nichols,
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