Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-03-26
protest AgaInst the rulton rax nrl.

SODH DbCO1ile u law. L. ne sooner InOSb
interested understand this, the better it
will be for all concerned.
Those who read THE GAzErTE's
report of the Farmers Institute held at
FELTON, last Monday lin another column)
will see declaration, unanimously
put forth by a body of men who may
without question be accepted as leading
and representative farmers of Kent
county, in which the bill is not only
given an unqualified endorsement, but
the proposition to refer the whole sub
iect of taxation to commission
is denounced "as mere subterfuge in
tended and calculated to defeat the end
sought and continue the old oppressive
system" And while many of the
farmers of the State are earnestly sup
porting the bill, its opponents, those
who fully realize what evil such
measure would work, are silent.
The situation of the Legislature is
this: Most of the members represent
farming constituencies, and the people
they most particularly represent are
clamoring for them to pass this bill.
Grange after grange has given it an un-
qualified approval, and now the Kent
County Farmers Institute, body Of
leading and influential agriculturists,
emphatically demands the prompt pas
sage of the bill, in terms that cannot be
misunderstood. The representatives Of
these interests will naturally feel in
clined to comply with such urgent re-
quests, even should their personal SEN
timents be in opposition to the measure,
particularly when those who would be
materially injured by such unwise leg
islation are silent. 1t is therefore full
time for the opponents of the bill to
speak out in no uncertain terms, or the
first thing they know they will read in
The GAzETTE's legislative proceed
ings that the unwise measure has be-
come law.
The evils that would follow in the
train of such an enactment are too we'll
known to need repetition. 1t would tend
to drive capital out Of the State, and in
stead of equalizing taxation would i'm
pose extra burdens on those whose I'M
encountered real estate left them a
target, while the fortunate possessor Of
a mortgaged property would go scot
free. 1t is about as practical, in finan-
cial view, as the attempt Of man to lift
himself over fence by his boot straps.
1t is backed by no sound reasoning and
does not possess the slightest merit as a
| good financial measure. Some wag in
| Dover has dubbed it "bill to exempt
its author from taxation," and it really
looks as though the desire to evade,
instead Of equalize, the burden of taxa
ton was the handspring of much of its
backing. But, as we have before re-
marked, there is very grave reason to
fear that it will become law unless
those who are opposed to such non
sensical legislation make a decided
opposition, and let the members of the
General Assembly know their views.
Among the many excited utterances
of italian citizens in various parts of the
country over the New Orleans lynching
and their frantic appeals to the Italian
government for redress, the remarks Of
A. Storigi, who presided over meeting
of Italians in Pittsburg on Friday stand
forth conspicuous for true patriotism
and sound common sense. He said:
StT 4 al
cannot conscientiously help any move
ment where appeal is to be made to 4
foreign government to redress wrong BY
individuals residing in this country. Will,
disapprove the killing of the IL victims
! will not aid an appeal to any foreign
government. BY my own free will be
came an American citizen, and will sup
port the government laws and institutions
Of this country. If at any time the UniteC
States should be at war with Italy or witt
any other power. and for any reason what
ever, shall fight for the United States anC
bring my boys with me-
Mr.. Storigi's sentiments caused a spill
in the meeting and he left the chair, bu
he stoutly maintained his views a
above expressed. He is one native o
Italy who does not forget his citizenship
in the country of his adoption and ha
J confidence that his government will ac
justly in redressing whatever wrong
may have been perpetrated.
------alp--------
The proposition of Mrs. ]. Fran
Ball, who is one Of the Women Com
missioners for Delaware to the World
Fair, that the $4,000 to be received b
this State from the general government
; under the Direct Tax bill be appropriate
/ to making creditable Delaware repre-
: sentation at Chicago in 1892, is yer
f practical suggestion. Possibly porto
, Of this fund will be restored to thos
. who paid the tax when it was imposed
but it is doubtful if claims for half {
! the entire amount can be properl
authenticated, so that the balance wi
, remain in the State treasury. AS wha
+ ever money accrues to the State frol
this source can be regarded as clet
!. gain, it could as well be appropriated I
]. give Delaware creditable represents
!. ton at the great exposition as for an
other purpose One-half of the sevent
odd thousand dollars would enable IL
State to make brave showing
y Chicago.
The following from the Boston Hera
\ is Of interest in view Of the oppositio
. Of the Republicans Of Delaware
! ballot reform when they controlled II
I House, two years: ".rhere is still
!. chance for the Australian ballot dow