Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-21

SAVANNAH, GA. August IL, 1888.
TO the Hon. p. W. Medium, Senator. and
Robert Fdlligdnt and j. J. NcDon0ugh,
Representatives,.
GFNTLFAfEN-A recent editorial of the
MORNING NEWS has called my attention
TO bill introduced into the Legislature
to empower the Commissioners Of Chat
ham county to levy a spectator additional
tax upon this county. You will greatly
oblige me, a considerable tax payer, by
sending me copy of this bill.
1 also respectfully protest against the
passage Of any such dangerous and reColu-
tiOndrB measure. No good intent can
Justify a lCrOng act. This time the pur-
pose may be good. which l doubt. The
next time the purpose may be both cor
rupt and tyrannical. | said dangerous and
revolutionary. Permit me TO call your
attention TO the following facts: First,
The taxable property Of the county
OF Chatham is within the
corporate limits of the city of Savannah,
with Insignificant exception. second,
Before the war for the above reason, the
city kept control Of the expenses OF jail,
education and City Court through its
representatives in Council. who were cleo
tive annually. Third. These elections
are now biennial, placing these represen.
tatives further from the people and they in
turn, have recently placed the jail, educa-
ton and City Court in the hands OF men
who are not representatives of the
people taxed. but of the Governor, who
appoints these Commissioners. Fourth,
These Commissioners are really the crea-
lures of legislative enactment, and
when they undertake to levy tax upon,
in point Of fact, this municipality, they
are undertaking to do just what is done in
the state of New Ork, whose munich
palities are now so much and so deplora-
bly, governed by Commissions created
by the State at large through its Legis-
lature.
Because of these facts and reasons, let
me earnestly recommend to your perusal
and thought the editorial Of the New
York Herdtd, of August 18th, upon this
subject which can send you >, and more
especially the article in the September
number of HdrpeT's Monthly, page 6Oy,
entitled 1.-The Government of Cities in the
State of New York" by VIM. r. Grace,
the last Mayor of New York city.
If this measure (the tax BILL passes
and becomes a law, two results flow there
from: first. taxation without direct repre-
sentatiOn; for nine-tenths of the people
whom these Commissioners do represent,
are not taxed at all by this bill; whilst
the other tenth who are taxed nave no
control over the appointment and ac-
tings Of these Commissioners. Second,
whilst the City Council has thrust a part
Of the cIty's expenses upon these Commits
siOners, who are not the representatives
of the people. they. the City Council, con-
tinue to levy the same 3 per cent. tax and
to spend the whole fund, so raised, upon
the other departments Of the city govern
ment. leaving to these Commissioners TO
raise additional funds by the aid of the
Legislature.
The whole transaction sayors Of politi-
cal subterfuge Taxation, / take, it, is
Upas tree whose blighting influence is felt
by rich and poor alike.
ApOlogizing for so much written, and
only asking your careful perusal OF the
HerqLPs editorial and Mr. Grace's article
in the Harper. | remain. very truly yours,
JAMES J. WARING.