Daily Republican., 1889-03-23
SATURDAY. MARCH ss, 1889.


The meeting OF business men held
at the Builders Exchange yesterday
afternoon shows that there is ecner-
al sentiment In favor OF the repeal OF
the oppressive and unjust tax on manu-
lecturers, merchants snd storekeepers.
Tbs attendance was not as large as II
should have been, but those who were
present showed that they were serious
ly in earnest. This tax is one OF the
mos unjust that can be levied on any
people, and has done more than any
other single cause TO retard the pro
gress of this city. II and has been
the means of preventing manufacturers
locating here, and in addition is a
heavy burden, OF which the working
class have TO bear by far the larg
est share. One gentlemen stated that
he knew Of two large manufacturing
establishments that would have located
In this city had it not been for this tax
on manufacturers. A prominent
manufacturer said that il his business,
the party that used the manufactured
product had TO pay this tax three or
four times over, as each enc that hand
led II had to pay the tax, which was
eventually levied on the consumer
The same is the case as we showed a
few days since, in re. ard 10 merchants,
johbers and retailers; they each pay a
tax on the sane article and nj last all
the taxes combined tall on the con
sumer, who in Tie majority oi in-
stances earns his bread and that for
his family, by the sweat of his brow.
This is not right and we do not be.
llsve there is another State in the
Union where such a gross imposition
is precictd on the people. We have
number of Industries, but with our
natural advantages, our excellent rail
rold communication with all parts OF
the country. water communication
with the whole world, and last, bat
by no means least, our city Of homes,
where working men can live better
and cheaper than in the large cities,
we should have double the number OF
manufactures, hut we cannot expect
capitalists TO come here with the Ger.
tainiy that they will he burdened with
an unjust and useless tax. Neither
can we expect workingmcn 20 locate
among us, when they understand that
they will be compelled to pay two,
three and in some instances four taxes
on the san article. This is burden
Il q the people should not be obligeC
10 bear, and the sooner the Legislator
repeats II, the better ii will be for tn
future prosperity OF this city.
---.
There is considerable complaint b.
members OF Council about the Stree
and Sewer Commission, and some o
the members ate ready to charge ever
one but themselves with being instIu
mental in creating II. Now. while W
do not wish to cast any reflection OF
the present Council, We have no hes
ialion in asserting that had it not besl
for the ring which governed the Stree
Committees OF past Councils, and In
way in which the business was trane
acted. or more properly not Transacted
the Street and Sewer CommissiO
would never have been formed Til
people were tired and sick OF the wa
their business was transacted, au
consequently looked for some olhC
way OF having it done, and ii The
have made mistake the error shoul
be corrected by abolishing the con
mission and placing the control OF III
streets and sewers again in tue hanC
of Council Then II each ward wi
send its best men to Council, instea
OF selecting candidates for mere part
service, We will have the business
the city transacted in business III
manner, and Invested Of the polite
corruption which has so largely pr
dominated in the past.
The creation Of the Water Comm
sion was an outrageous piece of poll
cal trickery on the part Of few pc
ticians in this city, that was consun
mated by a Democratic Legislator
for the purpose of depriving Repu
lican Council of part OF its power
All the facts connected with the ere
ton of this commission are too ire
in the minds OF the people to net
repetition. We are opposed to cor
missions of any kind, unless the col
missions are elected by the Peep
Any other method of selecting them
an infringement on the rights Of 4
people that should not have been intr
duced. If the proper kind of men a
sent to Council, men such as the ci
zens would select to transact their ov
private business, there could not
any risk in placing in their hands I
control of the streets, sewers al
water, with everything else Pertaini
to the city's welfare.
We do not suppose that POstmas
General Wanamaker will be very pc