Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-06-10
The Clear Record to Win"

Mr.. Editor Averse, as | have ever been, 10
parading my name before the public in any
thing like newspaper controversv-m an
nouncement as candidate for the State Sem
u lie merely referring TO facts rs set forth in the
record-yet the article which appeared in your
paper OF last week, under the above caption,
and signed 'Justice" but whose finger marks
think are plainly iscernible--compels me 10
depart, for the once at least, from rule
had marked out to myself and (although
have hardly the time, to give to the article the
notice it deserves.
| say, then, most emphatically, that ! not
only voted in the last Legislature against the
taxation of mortgages, but shall ever recur TO
il as one of the proudeSt acts Of my life--as-
ssting, as it did, in preventing the imposi-
ton Of II double tax upon the unfortunate
debtor as well as on the man of moderate
means-they being the only ones that ever
give mortgages-the rich men never giving
any, not being affected by the matter in the
least, one way or the other, as shall presently
proceed to show.
But the great bug-a-boo is, that although
rich men never give mortgages, they invest
their money in them, and TO that extent escape
taxation. Well now, how can anything be
said to escape, that has never been caughtp
You can't catch mans money by taxation
until It is put into some other shape; for like
the lrishmau's flea, when you look for II, it is
not there. And anyhow, il mortgages were
taxed, it is not very likely that man would
so invest his money when he can easily invest
it in government bonds that are moi taxed,
as mauy prefer to do even now, when mort
cages are exempt.
But let us suppose, Mr. Editor, that mort
cages were taxed, and that man OF moderate
means-owning little farm perhaps, or ii
may be house and lot--wishes to borrow
little money 10 start his son in some other
business, or fwhat is mole likely) TO pay Il
Judgment Obtained in court against himself,
and which must be paid by a certain day, or
his little property be sold by the sheriff.
Such being the case, be applies TO rich man,
or money-lender, for the loan of few hun
hired dollars. The moned man tells him he
will let him have the money If he will give a
mortgage on his property and pay the mort
gage tax.
Now, what is the man TO do2 he can't re-
fuse to comply with the terms, for if he does
he won't get the money-the money-lender
not being obliged to lend il him. But he
must have the money TO save his little proper
ty, perhaps, from being sold at sacrifice
and SO, has no alternative left him but TO
comply with the terms--give the mortgage
and pay the tax.
That this would lie the inevitable result il
mortgages were taxed land that II was so IN.
tended by the trainers OF the bill for that pur,
pose in the last Legislature) is shown by the
fact. that when the bill was under considera-
ton, an amendment was offered In the House
of Delegates, that ef any person shall exac,
or receive, either directly or indirectly, from
The aortoagor any part or portion of the tax
levied or assessed and collectable under the
provisions of this Act, or upon the mortgage
debt created or secured by such mortgage he
shall be guilty of usury, and forfeit the
amount of The mortgage debt. with ali inter
EST due thereon This amendment moi be.
ing accepted, the bill was defeated, and.
am proud 10 saw. with myself among The
number who defeated il.
But suppose for The sake of the argument. Thai
the money-lender kind and considerate sonI
ne he Generally Is \ should agree 10 nav The
tax himself II wonld mo-, alter The case IN ,hs
least-so far as the nrineinle of the Thing is