Democratic messenger., 1892-04-02

WITH to-day the Legisla
ture will close its deliberations
and on Monday next the last
business Of the present ses-
sion will be finished. There
has been much business trans
acted and many lively dis
cussions have been indulged
in. Be it said to the credit
of our representatives that
the interests of or county
have never been better guard
ed than at this term. Our
representatives have exer-
cised their best efforts in our
interest and have done every
thing for our county that
could be asked for or expect
ed of them. 1t was through
the efforts OF Col. ohm Wal
ter Smith and his able assis-
tants in the lower House that
free school books will be sup
piled the scholars of the pub
lie schools in the future. His
interest in this, however. was
no less than that he took in
the matter of taxing mort
cages and relieving tax-ridden
farmers.
To show the interest mani
tested by him in this matter
we give the Glowing, which
occurred in the Senate, and
was published in the Balti-
more SIM of March 18th:
The Senate was occupied
for more than four hours at
the morning session on the
assessment bill of Mr.. Hayes
and good progress was made.
Every effort TO get at mort
cages in any form was voted
down, but the vote in some
cases was very close. Mr..
Smith of Worcester reDre
senting the sentiment of his
people, led the movement to
tax martgages with presis-
tence and ability, and was
ably seconded by Senator Wa
ters. The debate became
exciting. and at one time half
the Senators were on their
feet simultaneously.
The second reading OF the
bill for amendments. section
by section began. The first
amendment of consequence
fired at the bill was from Sen
ator John Walter Smith and
was the inevitable scheme TO
tax mortgages for State,
county and municipal pur-
poses in the county or in the
city where the mortgaged
property is located" This
opened the hoodgates and a
long debate ensued. The
stock arguments on both
sides were presented. it must
be admitted. in an interesting
and earnest manner. Mr..
Smith led off with the declar-
alton that mortgages are the
safest and most productive
securities. and there is no
reason founded on Justice why
the owners of them should
not pay their just proportion
of the public burdens in ac-
cord with the declaration of
rights. 1t has been said that
foreclosures Will follow. but
what will be done with the
money! Money is going beg
ging at 4 and Al per cent. in
the cities and good invest
ments are ha | 10 obtain.
Mr.. Brown took the other
side of the question and de
MED that money is so plenty,
and contendcd that the pre-
vailing silver craze shows it.
The whole State, said Mr..
Brown, is blistcred over with
mortgages containing cove
nants for the borrower to pay
any tax that may be levied.
No greater damage can be
infected on the farming in
terests Of the State than to
tax mortgages. 1t would
bring ruin upon them. and
bring about Black Friday
for the farmer. 1t would make
the borrower pay the interest,
the tax on the property and
the tax on the mortgage or
be sold out. After which the
vote was taken and the amend
mcnt lost by IS to $.
Anticipating this result.
Mr. Smith had another amend
ment prepared. which he