The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-21

Among the many measures the present
Legislature will be called upon TO revise,
is the Merchants Tax law passed by the
last Legislature.
The Objectionable feature of the law is
the first section, which provides Tor a
faithful report upon the notes, due bills,
negotiable paper, accounts and judgments
on solvent parties, or parties believed to
be solvent, and all other assets, including
cash on hand or on deposit in banks, or
with solvent parties, belonging to any
person, company or firm, for purposes OF
taxation.
The taxpayers liable under this law are
required to enter into bond for 81 900 for
a faithful report under the foregoing and
subsequent sections, and therein lies the
fun-lor some people, a majority of mer-
chants, in the diversion OF active business,
forget the eNacting requirements OF the
law until the County Court Clerk is called
upon to receive their taxes. 4 refreshing
OF memories always leads to kick, cX-
ccpt those who are in a position TO answer
the first section by the word "none," and
satisfy their sense Of propricty. Even the
class who are liable only for a few thous-
ands OF dollars, while feeling the injustice
OF the hydra-headed law, acquiescc after Il
sulphurous denunciation OF the fellow or
gang responsible for its passage.
But the man or firm liable Tor
an amount calling for the payment OF a
sum in excess OF The bond and penalties,
bring themselves down TO a fighting basis
by making no report whatever In all
such cases the County Court Clerk refers
them to the Acknowledgement, who insti-
tutes legal proceedings for a forfeiture OF
the bonds, equal, with penalties, TO some
thing like 81, 1850. That settles the matter,
for report from the firm liable is the only
way in which tho amount OF notes, cash,
etc. ms set forth in the beginning, can be
obtained. Amount OF stock carried is an
other thing, and accessible to the clerk
should lac meet refusal ON the part OF the
owner to disclose IL.
The clause referring 20 notes, accounts,
etc, on solvent parties, is the particularly
annoying one, and the most difficult 10
pass upon. There are few IL any human
beings so adept with their discerning iacul-
ties rs 10 pronounce upon tho solvoucy Of
all their creditors. in this age OF surprising
failures. In speaking of this law 10 an
APPEAL reporter, Clerk Quiglcy related an
incident that came to him from business
man who allowed a forfeiture ON his bond
TO bee taken. The gentleman went to his
office to square M, but ON reading the
| broad scope OF the obnoxious section con.
1 cludCd 10 let Il take the alternate course.
| An hour or two after leaving the Clerk,
office, and while at his own, he re-
| Cciyed telegram that concern heavily
| indebted 10 him had gone 10 the wall, and
/ would probably be unable TO pay more
/ than 10 cents on the dollar Of is Liabilities
/ The firm In question he considered, up "a
! that moment, thoroughly solvent and had
lac reported aud paid upon his accounts
| would have included those with IL.
Another illustration oi is unlairncss, a'
| presented by those resisting II, i the fac
that one local dealer selling goods 10 an
other on time would pay On the running
account, and the buyer would also pay OF
the stock bought-a Standardization
sweep. 'cm-all-n system, cutting boil
ways.
The authorship OF this law is q mystery
/ \ great many people lay il nj the door q
Comptroller rickard, but he rcpudiatcs /
In positive language, while the delegation
Ia the Legislature from this county, srry
ing at the time OF its passage, claim tha
they aniagOnILcd IL.