Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1889-10-10
TAXES AND TYRANNY.

Representation Denied Women Who Pay
for a vote--The Poll Tax and Military
Duty-Contamlnating Effects of Suf-
frage.
The Hartford (Ct,) Times lately ex-
pressed tho opinion that women have
no right to complain of taxation with
out representation, since their property
sis taxed TO support the necessary
measures to protect it police, fire de-
partment, ETC. AS the Times truly
says, the property OF u baby is taxed for
the same purpose. So is the property
OF q lunatic. In like manner, tho estate
of a baby or lunatic may properly be
charged with the cost of his board and
lodging, without allowing him any
voice in the matter, because he is not
intelligent enough to be consulted in re-
gard to his own affairs. But when the
baby grows up or the lunatic RECEIVERS
his sanity, he has right to choose
what sort OF board and lodging he will
pay for, and OF whom he will engage it.
1t is perfectly right that women who
are taxpayers, as we'll as men who are
Taxpayers, should pay for the protec-
ton their property receives; but they
have right to q voice as to what sort
Of protection they will pay for, and who
shall administer it. City officials are
elected, among other things. TO protect
the citizens from Illicit liquor-selling,
from disorderly houses and similar nui-
sances. Sometimes, instead OF afford
ing the protection they are paid to
furnish, the city officials and police ap-
pointed by them connive at these viola
tions of law. Women who are tax
payers have to contribute money to help
pay these officials, without having any
power to turn them out if they fail to
perform their duties satisfactorily. 1t
is just so when it comes to electing
members OF the Legislature, and all
other public officers. They may refuse
10 spend any part of the tax-money for
purposes which the women think most
desirable as police matrons.
They may spend it lavishly for things
which women think needless and even
pcrnicious. But though women must
help pay the bills, they have no voice
whatever in the spending of the money
To be compelled to pay taxes, and to be
allowed no voice as to how the tax
money shall be spent or who shall
spend it-this is tho very essence OF
taxation without representation.
The Times says: Men pay a poll
tax instead OF doing military duty"
All men over forty five years are exempt
from military duty, but they are re-
quired to pay poll tax just the same.
The United States military statistics
taken at the time of the late war show
that the majority of doctors, lawyers,
ministers and editors whowere examin.
ed were found to be physically disquali-
fled for military service, and therefore
exempt neverless,a poll tax is levied up
on all of them. and also upon the halt
the lame and the blind. There is no re
cognized connection between the pol
tax and military duty. There is somt
connection between the poll tax an(
the suffrage. however. at least il
Massachusetts,, where any man whc
fails to pay his poll tax forfeits hi
vote; and small poll tax is levied up
on women who vote for school commit
tee When women have full suffrage
it will be perfectly proper that the,
should pay the same poll tax as men.
The Times says: "Most women ar
opposed to the proposition to COME
suffrage upon their SEX" This is put
ting it more strongly than facts vii
warrant. Most women are Indifferent
on the subject But wherever petition
have been sent into the the LegislG
ture. both for and against suffrage. tn
petitioners in favor have always ou
numbered those opposed, at least fiv
to one, and often fifty to one. OF th
women who take any lively interest
the question either way. the great mi
jority are in favor. Those who are il
!. different on the subject should be coun
|, ed as neutrals. not as opposed. Fl
|. the rest, we do not propose 10 for,
any woman tn vote. but only to civ
each woman the option of voting
not. as she prefers
, That suffrage would drag WON,
down rather than elevate them" the