The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-27
Farmers and Nanuracturcrs--Ric III
mOnd's Prosperity.

JANUARY -, 1881.
Editors Dispatch: In an article published
in your paper on the 18th instant 1t was pro-
posed that such property a. Is used ior man
ufacluring purposes should be eXempe1
from tax. The reason alleged for this pro-
position was that Richmond must have
capital" In the first place, cannot see
that it is incumbent on Virginia TO supply
this capital; but, grant that II is, let us see
how we can best do l.. The first question
i of course, How is this capital 10 be got
ten? 1t is true that II no tax were TO he
paid on capital invested in the city there
would be little trouble in getting capital
there But this means is too Improbable,
and one that, even under the most urgent
necessities, would be rCsOrted to with the
greatest besi,aucy. The best way TO help
men is 10 show them how they can help
themselves. So in this case, instead OF the
people Of Virginia giUing money to Rich
mond (as the plan which - Hanover" sug-
rested amounts TO the same thing, il would
| be much better for both parties II the pco-
ple would only enable the city to make IT,.
| | apprehend that it is perfectly evident
| TO the minds OF all rejecting per-
sons that when any one kind OF pro-
pertv is exempted from tax all other
| kinds must he burdencd with 1t in proper
| ton. Therefore, II the property invested
| in manufacturing be exempted, the rate Of
taxation on all other properly, and espe-
cialy on that Of farmers, VIII be raised. And
concerning this point, ] think your cJr-
respondent made two very decided mis-
takeS-filst, when he thinks that farmers
are more able to stand taxation than manu-
factnrerS. and that relieving the latter at
| the expense OF the former is the true way to
improve the State; secondly, when he says
that the farmers woGld agree 10 any
such proposition as he offers. The farmers Of
Virginia cannot well stand an increase OF
| taxation, which take u be the certain re-
suit OF eXempting capital invested in manu-
featuring. They will never submit 10 it
except in extreme emergencies; and feel
assured that any bill TO that effect would
meet with their most decided dlsapproyal
and opposition. The wiser policy would
be to encourage by every reasonable means
immigration and improvements in the
country: and then prosperity in the cities
would follow as the natural result. The
town Is much more dependent upon
the country than the country upon the
town. This present time | take TO be the
most favorable moment for such improve
ments. while there is such suffering in the
old countries and so great a desire to emf
CRATE from them. Encourage immigration
OF the Irish, and it will prove as great a
benefit to Virginia as blessing to Ireland.
But TO return TO the original subject. |
hold that the condition Of Richmond is
far from being such as te demand
so much solIcitude on our pant. Sac
already ranks among the first cities IN many
particulars. and is rapidly improving in
every respect. She has Us fine natural adj
vantages and facilities for manufacturing
town as there are in the world; and when
her connection with the West /, complete il
will only be necessary to improve the con-
diton OF the farmers of Virginia to make
for us city that the South NAV well be
| prOud of. KING WILLIAM.