Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-09-23
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, 1891
EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION.
A Question of Facts-The History of
the Practice in This Country
Originated by Republicans.


the Practice In This Country
Originated by Republicans.
Dir. +. Eugene Wathen contrib
utes the following well-written and
well-compiled statement of facts on
the charges made against the Dem
ecratic nominees for County Gem
missioners by certain of the press
of this county, which we copy from
the Spectator, and commend care
full reading Of it by every fair mind
ed and unbiased man-be he Re-
publican or Democrat. Mr.. Wath-
en- has made the matter so plain
that even wayfaring man, though
afiol, may understand
The intelligent tax-payer-the loyal de mo-
crat--the good citizen ought to support the
Democratic ,icket.-Record, Sept IL, 1891.
In the name of heaven why2 "The intelligent
taxpayer" knows that the Bannonatic County
Commissioners ticket was made up as il is be-
Gauss thew are supposed TO "renect the lntelli-
gent sentiment OF certain luOlNtUuAts VIM are
favorable 20 exempting $500, 900 worth OF the
property Of a wealthy corporation from taxa
ton. 1.-THE loyal Democrat knows that two
members OF the present board were denied a
reinforcement which they deserved at the
hands of LOYAL Democrats mainly because
they were not subservient enough to appro
pirate S25, 900 in cash to this same corporation
10 the aforementioned exemption and that
this appropriation was urged and passed by
the ideptic al men who later on made the pres
ent ticket. "The good citizen" is aware Of
the fact that an exemption OF taxation upon
100000 and the appropriation Of $4,000
means that this county shall present that cor
poration with over thirty thousand dollars of
which he will have to make up his proper
tional share-aud the only reason for this
generosity is that a Baltimore city manufac-
turer has moved into the confines OF Anne
Arundel county because it cost him less to
build and operate bis plant here than there
Anne Arundel Republican.
In view of the charge made against the
Democratic nominees for County Commission
ers th at they were nominated, and, If elected,
will be governed and controlled by certain
corporations around Brooklyn and South Bal
timore, think, plain statement of facts in
regard TO the matter of exemptions in Anne
Arundel county, will convince every fair
minded man, be he Democrat or Republican,
that this attack upon these gentlemen is not
made 10 the interests Of the taxpayers of Anne
Arundel, bat solely and simply in the interest
Of the Republican county ticket.
The charge was first published in the Nary
land Republican a disgrnnted Democratic
newspaper. IL has since been reiterated in
the AaHc AruRdel Repabltcan, the ergan oC
the Republican party for this campaign. SO
much for the source from which the attack
emauated. ] will presently show from the
minutes of the County Commissioners that
either through Ignorance or carelesness, posi-
4 Il. a. IF al H...N.. Lee
has made no efforts to get at facts in this
matter. | am inclined to believe that the
author Of the editorial ia this paper took his
facts second hand from some disgruntled Dem
ccrat, for ! cannot think that he would other
wise have fallen into such error. am spe-
ciallY led TO this belief, because know that
the worst and bitterest enemies of the present
Democratic county ticket are quondam Demo
Gratis.
Bat mist not be led away from my main
purpose, which is 20 state as briefly and con-
cisely Is possibly the history of exemptions OF
manufacturing plant in Anne Arundel county.
The history must perforce be brief, since il
covers such short period. and because there
is so little manufacturing plant in Anne Arun-
DEL At the session of the Leg islature of 1855,
bill was introduced into the Senate BY John
Writ Randall, authorizing and empowering
the County Commissioners, in their discretion,
TO exempt the plant Of manufacturing estab-
lishments from taxation. This bill passed the
senate ana tnen went 70 tue mouse where IL
was favorably reported upon by the Anne
Arundel delegation, all Republican,, one Of
whom vas T. John Bowie, the present candi-
date Of the Republican party for clerk OF the
Circuit Court. The bill passed the House OF
Delegates in due time and became law.
Some few months after this law was enacted
representatives of the South Baltimore Car
Works appeared before the Board of County
Commissioners and asked that their entire
plant, valued at twenty thousand dollars be
exempted from taxation under the provisions
OF the act. The Board OF County Commits
sieners at that time consisted of Messrs lin
thicum. Basil, Murray, Brice and Cole, all
Republicans, the last three Of them being the
present nominees of the Republican party tor
the same Office. This Board, thus constituted,
unanimously exempted the entire plant from
taxation for one year. Nothing more is heard
about exemptions until last spring, when rep
resentatives of the manufacturing establish
Dent II South Baltimore again came before the
Board OF County Commissioners and asked for
the exemption of the plant Of the following
concerns for one year:
The Sugar Refinery; plant valne, $400, 200
Sonth Baltimore Foundry; plant
vefue-..-.........-...-- ,U00
RYAN q Mcdonald Factory; plant
value ......................---.-... 10000
II. 4 O'Donnel factorys plant
value -s..s..-.....s.s x 6u0
During the three years which have in
tervened sincs the exemption granted in 1855