The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-02-24
MORTGAGE TAXATION.
A Lively and Spirited Debate in the
Maryland Senate.

mortgages, which should be eliminated from it.
Senator Bennett opposed this. He said: How
can mortgages be taxed then? lift is the will of the
people that they should be taxed, how could this
be done ifnot tackled on to the assessment bill?'
Senator Hayes replied Cannot this body pass a
bill for that purpose? The Senator from Carroll now
has bill pending which puts the tax in the least
offensive shape"
Senator Bennett-'w What do you mean by leopard
izng the bill? Can you say that the Governor will
veto it,"
Senator Hayes replied: "Jeopardize has an Eng
lish meaning, and any tyro can understand it,"
Senator Bennett.-"If the bill is passed thus by
both Houses what is left except the signature of the
Governor TO make it law? Where does the jeopardy
lie? The matter tells its own tale"
Senator nayes.-"There is another House for the
bill TO go through and it may be defeated then with
the rider on
Senator Newman.-"why do you term mortgage
tax rider"
Senator Hayes THAT is the right term for this
amendment. Anything foreign to the purpose of a
bill is a rider-so the income tax is denominated
rider to the VIII IN BILL
The Senator lie discussed with Senator Newman
the question of mortgages being property the diff
ference between taxing them and promissory notes
&c. Continuing TO argue as to the jeopardizing of
the bill and the meeting of the question Senator
Benefits bill that Senator asked quickly: -Will
you agree TO THAR
Senator Hayes.-"Wi the Senator agree to recon-
initial? lie 50 starties me by the yehemence OF his
language that can hardly tell him what wish to
do
Senator Bennett-"Ater the language / read in
the newspapers attributed to the Senator, which
was uttered in this chamber, as to there being
lobby with million behind it defeat this lin:
my language should not starte him" Laugittyr.f
Senator Hayes said he had alwas been opposed to
the taxation of mortgages but he almost thought
lie could vote for the Senator's bill if this would
bring about an agreement
Senator Bennett said he was a bird that had been
far in the nest and did his own thinking Would
the Senator agree tina. his bill should pass and be-
come law?
Senator Hayes said he had no power Ia agree to
anything of that kind. lie was not the mentor or
keeper of the Executive. lie knew nothing about
his Intentions hut he begged the Senate to let This
question come up on its merits. If the assessment
bill were passed, with the mortgage tax in after
proper dcliberation in both houses he did not think
the Governor could veto it. lie would have no
right to veto. The veto power is to prevent hasty
and inconsiderate legislation.
Senator Crothers advocated the recommiilaI. He
did not wish to make any war against the tax alton
Of mortgages, but he did want to get reassessmenL
He would say to the Senators who were advocating
the mortgage tax amendment that however anxious
he for n reassessment he could vote for this
bill with that amendment in il.
Senator Newman asked why he should object TO
the taxation of mortgages if he was in favor of bill
for the taxation fall property.
Senator Crothers replied that double taxation was
objectionable, and why extend il? Does the Sena-
tor say we should extend bad system when it can
be avoided.
Senator Newman said we should put all citizens
all borrowers on equality.
Senators Crothers replied there was certain double
taxation which cannot be avoided but in the mat
ter of taxing mortgages it can be avoided and it
should be-
Senator Newman called attention TO the provision
for deduction of taxes paid by mortgagors
Senator Crothers said that would apply TO those
mortgages in which there is now covenant for the
mortgagor 10 pay the taxes, but in the future mort
gagors will have pay double and sometimes triple
taxes.
Senator Moss asked the Senate to be far-to reflect
that the only purpose of the amendments was 10
test the sense of the Senate on the question. He
thought the bill should go back to the committee
so as to be put in shape to be in accordance with
the provisions of the constitution. The committee
should provide in their amendments to the bill for
the taxation of mortgages, (Which the amendments
did not fully do and thus establish the principle
that the peopIe of MARYLAND want to live up to the
provisions of their constitution. They had shown
what they wanted by voting down the proposed
amendments to article ID of the bill of rights. The
committee would be able to provide for the taxation
of mortgages in such form that the poorer classes
shall not be hurt. and even the Senator from Cecil
will vote for it, If the committee were against the
taxation of mortgages it could report so aud give
the reasons therefor. The report could be spread on
the journal and the Senate could then pass on it.
Senator Crothers appealed to his fellow Senators
not 10 ,e tloir a; fysrsnces amount IN such conten
TO-, a., ~ a,1rts and all the bonet of the
Iahors o tho senator from the third district of Bal
,more sbouId be lost tn the people of the State.
- W.. ,.i, re- a. ,io,, could boya Tho
0e"'oi f"l -
''"''OS y. INC o 80 -, go,
upol ~ :" - a. ~ ,,o,,s
GAS from uhe pay vi tie on
Tr, o H., to,jo,a5 II ,ros tho will of the nennIe
- Ho'' 10 "e ", ,,,,,,ah, :, his
.na' i''i 's'e'9 ai9-N - - - hnI
uu'! " "pPo'e '''
Senator Newman said that the confessed purpose
ofrecommital was to strike out mortgage taxatioh'
Inc Dill was iuil Oh aouoie uiAntio"' II - iiNP
BILE to frames bill that will not be- Why theh' uis
intense solcitude for one particular class oil the
people? His people demanded mortgage taxation
and were willing To take their chances with the
leaders
Senator Evans asked if there was any law now 10
prevent the lender from demanding the taxes he
paid from the borrower on promissory note.
Senator Bennett asked irthere had been single
petition sent here against the taxation of morga ges
Senator Evans replied that The people SO under
stood the falacy of such proposition they did moi
think ii worth while 10 petition against it,
Senator Newman asked why did the people adoPt
the constitutional amendment as 10 the taxing OF
mortgages?
Senator Eyans-"They did not say in that thai
mortgages should be taxed. but that if the Leglsla-
mre ever made the mistake OF taxing them, when
II should be done"
senator Newman asked. had not the amendment
10 article IS of the bill of rights been defeated he
cause il was understood it would allow of the ex-
emption of personal property?
Senator Evans asked what had that To DO win
this question?
Senator Newman.-"The people meant by Una
that tue oWilerso i petSohai Pi"Pe''9 7'' -