The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-01-19
Mr.. Purnell on Taxation.

CALVERT, Mp, Jan. II, 1895
Mr.. EDITOR:
1t was the least Of my expectation that II
reply would be made to my short article read
before the Cecil Farmers Club. But inas-
much AS Mr.. Purnel has taken up the Club,
he fails to establish any theory to vindicatn
his own standing on the tax question. only
venturing so far as to tear to pieces structures
which others build. In view of this fact, |
shall endeavor to show briefly to the readers
of his recent article in the Cecil Democrat
payers of Cecil county
In the first place Mr.. Purnell, the one thou
sand single men and the twelve hundred heads
of families, referred to in Cecil county, don't
represent the gold bearing bonds of this
county. In view of this fact | don't gainsay
the statement, that the laboring man and the
man of means are not essential one to the
other, and that they walk hand in hand.
Yet | do say this class of citizens cannot
realize their obligation to their country, save
by the influence of their franchise. Half
hedged birds have no nducement to buffet
WIN thV hoith'ih S'ti'F' oiiiy 81 i'th 10 w
say whether or not you shall nurse at the
county teat, which | claim IS too much, or
else not enough
The views set forth by Mr.. Purnell clearly
demonstrate to the casual reader, that the
precious stores OF life have fallen in pleasant
places, that he has very vague idea of what
he terms the laboring man. taking the land
owners of this county as a class, which l shall
endeavor to show.
Now who is this class of laboring men con-
fined to? To the men who work by the day
or the year, surely he cannot draw the line Of
distinction here, unless he classiies them as
the happiest class of laborers on the face of
Gods earth, for they certainly are lords Of
the situation, free from any trials and
worry, grasping sleep as an elixir of grace.
And why should they not?
Now call your attention to another class
of people do double duty, employing both
mind and muscle, and it is only by the strict
est economy and attention to business, that
they are enabled to maintain their position.
Now this class are laborers in the truest sense.
Yet Mr. Purnell claims the laboring man
ought to be exempt from tax. Most certainly
he cannot be so unjust as to set free one class,
because of its improvident nature, while
another which has made his efforts a success
in life, pays all his public tributes.
Why, Mr.. Purnell might with equal justice
claim that the landowners must chew the
food for the toothless men he hires, for |
firmly maintain my position, that all men
ought to pay a tax of one dollar. If this is
not just, they ought to have free stamps,
being creatures wholly of circumstances, the
same as lawyers, doctors, ministers, and a
host of others who ought to pay their portion
of the just taxes of Maryland, while the poor
miserable farmer who is both brain and
muscle laborer, from your standpoint, Il
laborer. and the views taken by the laws Of
the State, professional gentleman, he too is
equally iustihable in escaping taxation. Now
Mr. Purnell, you confine the laboring man to
a very narrow limit, and by laying judgment
to the line, and justice to the planet, who do
you think ought to pay, or are entitled to