Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-05
rAxPAYERs VS.. rAx.coAsUnERs

1t is no doubt true that property should
be taxed to pay for its protection. The only
way to preserve good government is 10 levy
and collect the requisite amount OF taxes to
carry it on honestly and economically. In.
deed, taxation is one of the FIRST prerequisites
Of civilization. No people can rid themselves
of taxes without lapsing into barbarian, for
there can be no law, no society, no protection
10 property, life or liberty, no schools, no
courts OF justice, or any other of the evidences
Of civilization without taxation. But in all
ages and in all countries the people have
chaffed under the burdens Of Taxation. They
pay with reluctance the taxes necessary 10
protect society; and sooner or later they re-
volt against unnecessary taxation. The pso-
pie Of the United States have declared
war against the robberier OF the tax
gatherer, and for The future the issue will
be: The taxpayer w.. tax-consumsrs. The
debt incurred by the war increased taxation.
The people we're taxed for everything, and
If such = thing had been possible
the government would have taxed them for
the air they breathed. Corruption perm =
ated every department of the government,
snd thieves battened on the taxes e1tortsd
from the people. This extrsvgsauce and cor
ruption extended to city governments, and
everywhere the taxpayers ere arrayed
against the tax-consumers. The people de-
mand a reduction of the tariff tax and the
internal revenue tax, and the taxpayers of
the cities have arrayed Themselves against
the tax-consuners. Here in Tennessee the
taxpayer is abroad; he has declared for
change, retrenchment and reform, and war
upon the tRx-consumer. The people OF
Nashville, weary of paying taxes 70 the
tax-consumer without deriving any material
benefits, have resolved on reform, and for
this purpose it is proposed 10 change the
form OF government, and that adopted by
Memphis has been selected. When Memphis
resolved itself into The TaxiHg-District tie
plan was regarded as chimericaI and de-
nounced by the Nashville press as dishonest.
But it bss proved a blessing TO the people, a
perfect success in every respect. Our city gov
ernment was never SO economically, wisely
and satisfactorily administered as now. Every
department moves on in harmony, and the
loss Of the tsX-consumers has been the gain
Of the taxpayers. Nashville Is now governed
by forty-two agents, elected under the old
ward system. The people will discover
that the proposed change, which places the
CITY under the control of fewer agents four
fire and police commissioners-WilI secure 10
them a better government and a great saving
TO the taxpayer. IL every section of the
country the taxpayers are arrayed against
the taI-consumers. Whenever, in a nation,
Stale, county or city, there is found a grow
ing disposition to fight taxes and the tax
consumer, there, mark it, exists opprts-
sion, tyranny, injustice and wrong, which,
If not righted, will be eventually overthrow
by counter wrong. No intelligent taxpayer
in the United States needs TO be told that
such wrongs exist in The admiuistration OF
the general government, and the intelligen,
OF many Of our cities know that
the city governments are a monstrons, seeth-
ing pool of fraud, extortion, reckless eI- (
travagance, incapscity and corruption. De- q
and persistent opposition of The ! {