The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-12-22

thought that the monied power that here as
in other States controls legislation, shaped it
so that large corporate interests should
escape.
Mr. Wilson said the farmer had been groan-
ing for a long time under IT, unjust proper
ton Of the taxes he was paying. He thought
that mortgages on land and other Investments
should as recommended in the essay be added
to the basis OF aSscsSable property in this
county. He instanced the frequent failures
to secure re-assessment in the State, and as
long as existing political conditions continue
the hope OF the farmer in this respect would
not be realized. He approved the opinions
generally expressed in the essay.
Mr.. Mitchner endorsed heartily the views
contained in the paper read by Mr.. Bond.
and favored pol tax as II just and availabl
means Of securing an increase of the taxable
basis Of the county. He thought also that
the mechanics tools were not more entitled
to exemption from taxation than the imple-
ments of the farmer.
Col. Bond said. that the trouble was that
excessive taxation necessarily fell upon the
borrower. and the only effective means of
reaching the lender. was to tax all he owns
at n fair valuation. The trouble in the case
OF mortgages was that the tax always fell
upon the mortgagor and the mortraree paid
none of it. II" admitted the Injustice. but
thought it would never he feasible to tax
mortgages. He thought the grounds taken
III the essay w"r" sound
The Rev. Mr. Fitz Simous said the evil of
unequal taxation was apparent but the
remedy was difficult to suggest. He thought
that tn" remedy lay in the Improvement of
politics in lcgisation, and the elevation ofmen
OF character to positions Of political respon-
sibiIty.
Rev. Mr.. Ewing liked the essay, hut before
any equitable system of taxation could he
established it must he definitely decided what
property is When this was definitely settled
then the question of taxation would settle
itself
Henry S. Coudon said in his opinion the
most equitable tax if honestly collected was
an income tax. Referring to the idea ad-
van"ed, that if professional men he excluded
from practical politics and the farmer hc
elected to office that the inequality of taxa
would be corrected he did not think that
recent experience in Maryland sustained that
opinion.
That first a lumber merchant, then a farmer
Brown had been elected to the governor
ship with this idea. How rcassessment had
Jared with these nonprofossional gentlemen,
who "a bnl %
he need not recall
Mr.. Jos. Coud"n said that if he wanted to
huy II $1,000 farm. hut had no money. and
was compelled to horrowthe money on mortg--
age, he was not prepared to decide what
valu" he was equitably taxed on. if mort
cages lee taxed
At this point recess was taken for dinner,
the President having designated Messrs
Wilson, Sutton and Duyckinck as the COM
nlittee to examine Mr.. Bonds premises. &c.
Upon reassemhling after dinner, Mr. Viii
son Chairman Of tn" cxaming committee re-
ported that all they could say about Mr.
Bonds premises and stor, WIS rommendatory.
That his Swim" We're particularly noticeable
his promises exemplary in cleanliness, and
ms growing crops very promising.
Mr. buynkinck endorsed Mr.. Wilson's re-
port in that tn" committee" could hnd moth
ing to critics" about Mr.. Bonds premises.
Th" matter of unfinished business relative
to tn" tax on dogs was taken up and discussed.
Cp'n motion, tn" subject Of needed amend
m"nts to the dog law was postponed for
future action.
On notion N"ssrs f. H.. Duyrkinck. Col.
}. r. Bond, and Cot. Enorh Noyes were
appointed committee to collect data relative
to the operation Of Poll Tax Laws in other
states. copies Of each law now in operation in
such states, and any matter Of information
on the subject rs may bc pertinent to the
question, and to report the same ut the next
or some subsequent meeting of the Club.
letter was received from Mr. II. b.
Waters, notifying it Of the acceptance Of
membership in the Club to which he was
'l"'ted ut the last meeting.
After pleasant meeting the Club adjourn
"a at =. m. to meet at Col Enorh Noycs' on
Wednesday January l6, 1895.