Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-02-10
N n WAHHs


! Special Correspondence of State journal.
| NEWARK, Feb. 2.-Tax-payers meeting held
in the Exchange Building on Saturday even
ing was well attended and the interest that
was manifested by the taxpayers from the
| different hundreds in the discussions on the
inequality of taxation shows that reform Ii
wanted The questions We're, care the
present methods Of raising county, road, poor
and school taxes just to all taxpayers "
''Would the funding Of the State debt lessen
the taxes Of the people," On the first ques
ton they did not keep to the subject. but
soon drifted into a debate concerning State
tax on bonds and mortgages by law that
was passed in 1862 the time that DIR. Dean
was Ill the Legislature, and chairman OF the
Ways and Means committee.
Mr. Homewood opened the debate by say
ing that the inequality of taxation was unjust
and oppressive, stopping. the progress and in
dustry of the State, enriching the capitalist
and impoverishing the producers, laborers
and other industries Of the State. He had
examined the State Ireasurer's report for last
year and finds that three years ago the legis-
lators bad exempted from taxation all bonds
and mortgages, at a loss to the treasury Of
575, 900. This sum was in the capitalists
pocket instead of those citizens pockets that
have paid the tax on property they never
owned. The farmers taxes are levied on his
real estate, whether he owns it on not. or ii
any part Of it is mOrtgaged then he is taxed
also for his live stock, which IL the produce OF
his real estate. lie could not understand why
live stock should be taxed any more than
grain. 1t was the same as taxing the manu-
facturers raw material and then his goods
after they were made.
Mr. Dean held tho same views as Mr..
Homewood. If he undertook TO raise "a lamb
he was taxed if he purchased Il lot Of sheep
to fatten from his produce he was exempt
He thought this unfair. He was for taxing
all citizens equally, and thought that those
who held bonds ought to be taxed. He
referred to some of the work he had done
when in the Legislature, and how unthank-
fully it WAS received by some of the citizens
of the town.
Mr. Pulling thought that the gentlemen
was not examining the question on both
sides. He said that taxing bonds and
mortgages We're taxing the poor. For COM
parison, said he, we will take property in
Mill Greek hundred, worth 55OO,00O, and
property in White Clay Creek worth the same
amount but the property holders in White
Clay Greek had to borrow s25O00O in bonds
and those bonds We're taxed the property
owners in Mill Creek hundred were only faxed
for s50O,0OO The property owners in White
Clay Greek were taxed for S75U,00O. If that
was not taxing the poor he did not know WHO
it was taxing. Those who loaned money
made them that borrowed pay all taxes. lie
did not think that the tax was levied equal
He thought those who lived in luxury III
costly furnished housosgot off too asy.while
men in humber circumstances were too
highly taxed.
Il. 4. Curtis believed in the Bible, that no
man should purchase what he was not able
to pay for. He had to borrow money hut
paid every cent of it. If men did not borrow
they would not have to pay taxes on bonds
and mortgages. lie thought the people that
loaned money had no right to be slurred
becaused they loaned money.
Mr. Curtis remarks brought out sharp re-
plies from Messrs. Dean a. Homewood.
In the discussion on the second question,
'Would the funding of the State debt lessen
the taxes of the people?" all were OF the
same opinion that the debt should be funded
at the lowest rate of interest and thought it
should be donest per cent.
Mr.. Dean then came forward and read
paper in favor of competing railroad, show
ing the great advantage that would be gained
by it, and how the people were suffering from
the present monopoly and also showing the
high rates that the people are paying from
Newark to Wilmington.