Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-29

Editor Morning Nelcs Your article IN
the SUNDAY NEWS was eminentiy just
and correct. but much can be said on the
subject when viewed from city and
state policy. There is but one correct
business plan in which to do business,
and it enters into every ramihcation OF
life, collectively and individually, and
that is. to be truthful, honest and just; Tor
truth. honor and integrity are the only
true bases Of life. and when they are de-
partad from. mans life is one of mere
expediencv or policy, narrowed or en-
larged as actuated by motives OF interest
or selfishnesg.
All legislation should be based on prin-
ciple. and that form of government which
prevails is the expression of the ideas Of
the people who submits or permits to such
legislation. In legislation the narrow
minded, ignorant or selfish legislator
looks to expediency; little broader man
looks to policy: but the wise man, the
true legislator, looks to principle. The
first looks at the beginning Of a thing: the
second looks to the middle, and the third
looks to the end.
All property should have a just and
fair valuation put upon it, and any deNla-
ton from that line is false, deceptive, I'M
just and impOlitic. Legislation is resolved
into expediency and transient polcles
when there are false valuations. Not 50
with true valuations.
What folly it would be for General 10
underestimate the force of his enemy and
to deceive his soldiers. W hat does ne
accomplish bv it? What folly to under
estimate the value of property and put on
high taxation. What is accomplished by
Ity Nothing that we can see but to open
wide the door for the rich TO pay less taxes
h al
II so works now, and will so work to the
end of time. for as there is no principle
recognized. it is all eXpediency ana
blind policy in legislation.
Resides heavy taxation on false basis
deceiYes those not posted as to the policy
of the city, and Injuries the city 10 tnat
extent.
Let all property be fairly assessed, and
then a man takes an intereSt-yes, a deep
iuterest-in city and State legislation. he
will then cease to be Indifferent about the
taxes levied for this and that thing. Inc
DroDerty owner then will be ever wide
awake, and legislators VIII not De IN
doubt as to what the people want and
what they do not want.
We indorse the following sentiment oil
a prominent statesman: "Men have no
right to escape taxation in any way or III
any form. The goyernment-whether
CITY. State. or nationals formed to pro-
tect all. The more a man has, the more
the government protects him, and the
more able he is to pay taxes, and the
| taxes should be upon him as well as upon
others" The principle here announced is
lust. and no right thinking man will gain
say it.
As to our city government, we have
nothing to do with any other. AS to our
State relations, we must make ourselves
felt and heard through our State Ieglsla-
tors. at the proper time and in the proper
Dlacp. and that rs on the floor of the Sem
ate and i'm the House of Representatives.
We must send men who will represent
the ideas of the people, not their own; ana
the people will have decided ideas If they
feel any interest in the question of tax
alton.
Laws do not make city or State. 1t
is the recognition of certain principles,
of policies, of modes of living, the employ
| ments of the people, of commerce, of edu-
cation, of religion, societies are formed,
but all of the above named must necessa-
rly follow to have any kind of govern
ment. Government must be based ON
equal Justice to all. The old Spartan
idea was that property should make law
for property, and persons for persons; but
it was found 10 be a very difficult problem
to solve, since persons and property
mixed themselves in every transaction.
At last it seemed settled that prOprietors
should have more elective franchise than
nom proprietOrs, on the principle of 'call-
ing that which is just equal; and not that
which is equal just"
We need a fair and just valuation for
all property in the State, and must have
it, for without it there can be no just leg
sIation, for taxation will fall more heav-
lily on the honest and truthful man than
on him who Endervalues his property.
With fair valuations legislation will not
be based ON suggestions, but solid facts.
r. 10.