The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-08
THE DRUMMER TAX.
MEMPHIS MERCHANTS PRO-
NOUNCE 1T UNJUST.
Resolutions adopted and Congress TO
BE Asked TO Legislate
Against IL.

- ~ N4N aNANNAAAANaAn
Exchsr &c was held st lis rooms yes
teIday 50 take action with reference 10
the dIummtrs' tax The meeting was
called to order bv President Chase Of
the Merchants Exchange, who sug-
gested thai some one be named for
presiding officer other than himself.
Mr.. Elias Lowenstein was unanimous
ly called for aud took the chair. The
follow ing preamble and resolutions
were offered by Mr.. J. NJ. Semmes:
WHRRRAs, We, the members Cf the
Merchants Exchange Of Memphis,
Tenn, desiring to foster, encourage
aud protect the commerce OF our city,
and wishing - facilitate butiness rela-
tions with the Outside world and not
hamper them with unjust and obso-
lete determinations, do earnestly pro-
test againit the privilege tax" now
imposed in Memphis upon travelling
saleemen who Wis t our city in the le-
climate pursuit OF trade; therefore.
Resolved That the tax on bona lide
travelling men, which the city OF Mem.
phis is now collecting from them by
power OF an act OF the Legislature ofthe
State of Tennessee, is an unwise, unjust
snd an uncommei cial discrimination,
aud, in our opinion, is a restriction upon
interstate commerce, and therefore in
violation Ct the constitution Of this
United States.
Resolved, That a committee OF three,
to b. selected by u president, he ap-
pointed to cali upon the Legislative
Council OF the TaxiI & District Of Shell
by county and petition it TO at once
dCsl,t from collecting said privilege
tax, and thus throw open wide our
city's gates, so the commercial men OF
all the world can come to us without
the fear OF a "drummers' detective
dog0ing their heels to make them pay
a tribute to the city treasury or 90 to
Jail.
Resolved, That the agent Of any nom
| resident firm, or any member OF same,
who regularly opens an office or sam.
pie room in this city for the purpose
Of soliciting trade from aud selling
goods to country merchants lie, In our
opinion, not a broker, but 10 q bona
fde merchant, who, by such action, is
~endeavoriDg to reap without cost a
harvest that we, with many years OF
toll aud large outlay of capital, have
sown; such shoull be assessed a capt.
tai and p ivilege tax of rot less than
$500 per annum or 800 per week, and
have therefor all the rights and priv.
ileges granted any other wholesale
merchant in Memphis.
DaenIuaI That mar oanrptaru ka in,
structed to write Immediately TO Sena'
tor Harris and Representative Taylor
at Washington, ID. c., and request
them to cost their votes and use theil
influences to pas3 at once a bill through
Congress to prohibit the taxation o.
travelling statesmen who represent
manufacturing or jobbing houses any
where in the Units States.
Upon motion of Mr.. LattiDg, the
res solutions were ordered referred to 4
committee Of five, TO be appointed by
the chair. TIE chair appointed a.
such committee II q. La ting, John
S. Toof, A. B. Treadwell, W. B. Nal
lory, j. Nj. Semmes and NJ. Cooper.
Judge Hadden, upon being called
on, said he would try to explain thu
situation 20 the meeting would no
know which side he favored. Tit
drummers' tax, he said, was passed Il
satisfy local brokers'. The latter pay
and il drummers are allowed 20 VOL
without payirg il will be necsf
cary TO rept al the tax on brokers
The only way 10 repeal II, however
would be to 90 10 the next legislator
and ask that il be done. ]
will open a wide door for taN
cling eslesmen, however, If
be repealed. Regarding a statemeI
that only a sea teiiug drummer
made to pay the tax here, Mr.. HaC
den said "If that is ,hs case II is b.
causs they hide and we cannot flo
them. All are made to pay II they d
no. hide from MS" Judge Hadde
also said "Tll tell you what is tn
matter. II is the Mississippi Ia
about drummers that is getting you
/, But for that we would rot have hear
all Of this uproar.'
During the discussion IL vas s2i
that Memphis aud Natchcz are I'll
only places in the Mississippi Vale,
; or irdeed in the country, whei
Z lie, \ ~ are taxed.