The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-02-03

Stringent regulations are provided for
the enforcement of the law, and its
enforcement is placed in the hands Of
the Board Of Agriculture.
Mr.. Williams, of Iredell, gave a
history of the legislation of the tax
upon fertilizers-and explained the
decision of the Supreme Court which
required a change from a license to a
ton tax. He believed that after the
first year it would raise about $4,000
per year. He combatted the objection
that this tax would come upon the
farmers, and said that if it did, the
farmer could better afford to pay 81 a
ton rather than use inferior guano.
Mr.. McGill said that the Committee
of Agriculture had carefully consid-
cred this DILL; its provisions are plain,
and the bill is necessary to protect the
fertilizers. Mr.. Perry, of Chatham,
opposed taxing she guano. He be-
lieved that thu fund for Analysing fer
t~llizers ought to come out Of the gen
eral fund.
Mr.. Henry said that the farmers of
North Carolina, under a license tax,
did not pay more than the tanners of
other States where no tax was i'm
posed.
Mr.. Alexander said that the farm
ers were for the protection Of the
farmers. Having carefully examined
the bill as a member Of the committee,
[ favor the bill. 1t was prepared by
a committee selected by u Beard OF
Agriculture, and we farmers are vii
ling to pay for our ~protectioe. 1t
guards against the introduction OF
spurious fertilizers. He drought
down" the House when he said that
he was only a farmer and had never
done anything else; and added, al
never traded horses but once, and
then 1 was cheated"
Mr.. Perry insisted that the farmers
alone ought not to be taxed for the an
alysis of fertilizers. He disliked to
oppose the committee, but his convic
ton was that this imposition of tax
was not fair. Mr.. Murdoch, of Alex
ander, offered an amendment to
cha age the tax to Is cents and Mr.
Oliver an amendment to put it at 20
cents.
Mr.. McGill urged the pa ssage of the
bill as presented to the House. Under
the license tax the depart ut raised
$40 ,COO. This year we ely propose
to raise $40, 900, and next year $l8,-
900. 1t pu s a tax of only D cents
on the sack of guano. | thought a ton
Tx of Is cents was too small, but he
accepted it.
Mr.. Cofieli spoke for the passage
o; the dill in its original form. 1t has
been carefully considered. There is
no good reason in opposing the bill
1t is to the interest of the State and
the A. & NJ. College. Personally ]
favor a higher tax than 25 cents.
Col Pickett read a letter from a
Charleston fertilizer company which
said that a tonnage tax would give
great9r competition.
Mr. Lineback urged the defeat Of
all these amendments. The license
tax drove out worthless brands, but
did not increase the price of fertil
izers.
MI. Murdoch urged the adoption Of
his amendment. M. Perry, of Chat
ham, said that his experience showed
that the license sax did increase the
price to the consumer. In Chatham,
the Republicans used this tax as a
campaign argument, and he did not
believe it Just.
MI. Hall, of Orange, said that the
license tax did increased the price OF
guano to the farmers, and if the ton
Tax is imposed it will raise the amount
to the farmer.
Mr.. Cover thought his county
~(Johnsson) used as much fertilizer as
any county, and they were willing to
pay for it. 1 do not think the
farmers pay the tax; but if they do, it
is enough advantage to us to justify
its payment.
Mr.. ChearS hoped this bill would
pass without opposition. 1t would
nos increase the price of fertilizers,
and was necessary to protect the
farmer from fraud. BY a very large
majority, the bill passed second and
third readings.
Bill to allow clerk of court of Pam
leo county to absent himself on GER
tain days. No legislation was needed,
and the bill was tsoled.
That land grant 1853 in Swain
county be corrected. An amendment
that Secretary of State and register of
deeds authorize to correct.
To amend sec. 3135 of the Code.
This is to secure the better protection
and organization of the Board of
Pharmacy. DR.. Stancill vouched for
it. MI. Holman wanted a full expla-
nation.