Democratic messenger., 1893-03-11

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in twenty days time, unless he is paid
six thousand dollars year interest, is
permitted with great consideration and
Difference to be classed with the unfor-
tunate pauper for neither of whom the
-gathcrer has any bill to be paid.
Though foreign to this discussion So
far as the argument is concerned, |
feel nevertheless constrained to say
that | regard this class OF exemptions
as one OF the CRYING evils of our tax
system.
TAXABLE WORTH.
No one, Mr. President, will be like
" to dispute the proposition that after
eliminating exempted property, the
entire real and personal property
within the borders of the State is
liable to assessment according to its
WORTH. This is merely another form OF
stating the substance of Article 18th
of the Bill of Rights From what
source then comes the great cry that
is heard against the assessment
measure pass, d by the last Session of
the Legislature so loud and strong
was it that the firmest friends OF the
measure began to wonder to what
treason they were parties. to what
crime they had made themselves
accomplices BY voting tor the Act.
They were told that if the bill became
law, the smoke from the hundreds
of factory chimneys would be seen no
more, the looms would cease to weave,
the mills would stop grinding and the
busy mart of trade would be trans
formed into deserted place-Capital
becoming shy would be driven from
the State, great projected enterprises
giving employment to hundreds Of
poor people would be turned away. In
Short that the thrift which has been
the glorious heritage of the people Of
this State, and especially of this great
City would be succeeded by dry rot
and stagnation in business. These
arguments. sharper even than two
edged sword, were forced by citizens
whp were certainly entitled To a hear
ing, into the ear of the Chief Executive
of the State, and the work of the
Legislature failed to reach the statute
book. They did not tell of the prosper
ity that would follow because. of low
taxes resulting from a largely increas-
ed taxable basis.
| No REFLEX Tf0N on THE GOVERNOR.
Far be it from my purpose to
reflect upon the Honorable gentle
man who under all circumstances
since he has been. in the Executive
chair has had the courage of his con-
victions, and here and now | repudiate
anv desire to offer criticism upon the
course of an official whether he be
high or low, who regulates his official
conduct by what he believes to he a
conscientious performance of duty.
If the question is to be decided
with sole reference to public welfare
to the utter exclusion of personal inter
ests then it follows that the WORTH OF
all the varied property, real and per-
/ SUtill Ill ttlc t7tuLC 10 w bC WIN
out consideration of the proportion
which individuals or corporations may
have in such property. | contend that
the theory of the constitution does
not know the individual except as a
medium through which the tax is to
be paid, but knows only the property.
The laborer who owns small huuse
in which he lives, the farmer WHO
holds title To the land the cultivation
Of which is the support Of his family,
the ovsterman who is master of his
own boat, will make no resistance to
the law requiring contribution To
taxes for support of government so
long rs they feel that all other men
are likewise required to contribute in
proportion to their holdings.
ARE THE EICu TOO HEAVILY TANEp
Will it then be contended that tan
alton is too burdensome upon the rich
man who surfeited with fine estates.
large f,ctorics and great private bust
ness, turns his surplus money into
bonds and stocks which offer fair re-
turns without the annoyance of person
al attention, and who in turn is assessed
with all property of which he is
possessed whether real or personal
according to its WORTH 4
Whenever person has property,
rights or interests to be protected by
the State, then by an irresistible
APPLICATION the State has the power
to levy all necessary tax to protect
such property, rights and interests
md the larger The interests to bt
protected, the gre tier should be the
tax. :, far as have been able t.
learn the system of cxempting visible
tangible property has never ut any
time been popul,r Why should til,
invisible, the intangible property stand
ON different footing
Whats WORTH in anything
hut ~ much money rs Twill bring
But Mr.. President, it is urged thai
the Legislature should not have plssec
the ass .ssment measure of lS92, be
cause of its unconstitutionllity in 5,
; far as it provides for scaling bond
for tax ,tion according. to the interes
they ply.
ASSESSMENT OF SLAVES.
| wish to add to what have alread
said, that fail To see why these PR
visions are beyond the power OF th'
, law-maker. Ii in the time of SLAYER,
5 it was within the power Of the l.eei>
: lature To value all slaves in the Stat
according to a sliding scale regulate,
by the ages of the slaves, that is t
saw, a child from one to twelve year
: of age WAS valued at seventy-iiv'
: dollars. from twelve 20 twenty one 4
r one hundred and fifty dollars, from
! twenty one to forty at four hundre'
j dnlI,rS and 81 on. which clearly di,