Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-12-22

Mr.. HOWE of Ludlow opposed the provisions
OF the bill relative to corporations. He said that
they would prevent corporations from competing
with partnerships. Private firms were allowed
offsets; but corporations whether organized under
the general law or not, were taxed one per cent
ON their capital and on their real estate
Mr. ELl-GODDARD replied TO Mr.. Pages re-
mark that this bill must be passed OF the wheels
OF government would be stopped, by saying that
under suspension OF the rules an appropriation
bill cond be passed in five minutes
Mr.. flFlELD OF Montpelier said that the bill
might be summed up in two words, unequal tax
alton. He was in favor Of the motion Of Mr..
Thompson TO strike out all after the appropria-
ton clause. This was an anomalous performance
such n thing as y tax-bill accompanying the
regular appropriation bill had never been heard
OF before. The bill itself had some merits In It's
conception; but its methods OF applying the con-
ception were very crude. There was no use
spending the time Of the house In long discus
sion about It, The best way was to strike out all
after appropriation clause and pass what was left.
Mr.. PAGE said that instead OF being crude,
the machinery Of the bill had been in force for
several years In half dozen states and the class
which in this state had so long escaped their Just
share OF taxation, should now be made 10 bear 1t.
There were doubtless some defects, which could
be cured in time.
Mr.. BRIGGS of Brandon favored the motion
Of Mr.. Thompson. He wanted the different
propositions in the bill considered separately.
Some were Objectionable; others were not. He
did not want them all stuck together, so that all
must be rejected or adopted.
Mr.. COLBURN OF Springfield favored Mr.
Thompsons amendment and thought II we were
liable to adjourn at any time this winter II was
too late to take action on this bill 1t should
have been brought up earlier in the session.
Mr.. WHITNEY Of Franklin thought 1t was a
poor excuse to refuse to consider some of the
important measures proposed be ause II was
so near the end OF the session. This bill was
worthy Of consideration and II 1t needed amend
ment it should be amended, and not summarily
dismissed
Mr.. FlFIELD repealed some aspersions that had
been thrown upon some members motives. He had
desired to stop such fight as would necessarily
follow II this bill was pressed either by declining
to act on 1t at this late stage of the session or
have 1t referred to a commission to be appointed
by the governor.
Mr.. BATTELL of Middlebury said that this
bill was TO take the burdens Of taxation from the
farmer, the mechanic and the laborer where 1t
had remained for hundred years. and place
them upon the side where they belonged. That
was the key to the opposition which the bill had
excited. The producers OF the state were becom-
ing alive to the unequal taxation OF which they
were the Victims and II the house did not relieve
them by passing some bill to that end, then they
would pass 1t over the house. This bill was a
step in the right direction, and he hoped it would
pass.
Mr. PALMER Of Jericho said that II. 444, which
has just been passed, was believed to be proper
and Just bill, and there was reason for passing
anything further This bill was very unjust
upon towns which had bonded for railroads. He
was in favor OF Mr.. Thompsons motion. The
lacking OF a ax-bill, as a rider, upon an appro-
priaiion bill was unheard Of, and utterly indie
fensible. 1t would take week to discuss all the
provisions Of the bill, and 1t would be time poorly
spent.
Mr.. HOOKER Of Brattleboro said that the tax
which the bill laid upon national banks was con-
trary to the decision OF the United States SUI
preme court, and he had been informed by dis
tinguished ex-judge Of our supreme court that its
provisions as to bank taxation were unconstitu-
tional. Such method would drive corporations
out OF Vermont and its tax upon savings banks
was most unjust It allowed no offset 10 holders
OF national bank stock. He favored Mr. Thomp-
sons motion. II. IA provided for much more
effective and just method OF reaching personal
property, p,v ,,,,,,. +,
the exemption of personal property from Its just
share OF taxation was a crying one, and should be
cured. He was in favor Of doing something to
cure Il even II. in the words of General Grant, it
" took all summer"
Mr.. HUBBARD of Plymouth favored Mr.
Thompson's motion. The house needed more time
than 1t has at its disposal now to consider it.
Mr.. PAGE spoke Of the expense Of collecting
taxes under the old system As compared with the
system proposed, in which taxes collected them
selves. He was willing, however, il the house
wanted, to consider the question apart from the
appropriations, but he desired the principle of
this bill to be adopted.
Mr.. FIFIELD Intercepted the committee and
was replied to by Mr.. Page. Mr.. Fifeld said
that the bill would not raise oDe-third OF the
money out OF banks that its originator claimed
MIR THOMPSON OF lrasburgh criticised the pro-
visions OF the bill in reference to taxes upon banks.
Mr.. CIRCUIT of Newport said he didn't rise to
make speech, but opposed the bill He then
moved the previous question, and asked that its
effect might be confined to the pending question.
(The hair ruled that its effect might be so lin.
tied ~ The house refused to second the demand
yeas 80 nays rs.
Mr.. PALMER of Waterbury asked II this bill
did not forbid Offsets which principle had been
voted down, and was answered by Mr. Page.
Mr.. HOWE moved that the bill lie and be made
special order for hafpast seven o'clock this
evening Agreed to-yeas ITO, nays 10.
Special rder.-H. 429, an act in addition to chap
80 g. s., entitled of the grand list, was taken up,
the question being on the passage Of the bill. Mr.
Ey-Goddard moved an amendment exempting
polls of persons over sixty years Of age from
atom lost. After considerable discussion the
yeas and nays were taken (having been demanded
by Mr.. Briggs) and were ~ follows: yeas 50,
nays 126; so the passage Of the bill was refused.
Reports.-The com. on corporations reported q
bill entitled ii. 465 act to amend an act incor-
porating the Grand Isle Steamboat company un-
der rule ordered to lie
On motion Of Mr.. BRYANT OF Weston, ad.
journed