The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-10

m. civ Government and the People.
Editor Morning News: The crossroads
orator is in the habit of rearing up on
bid two hind legs and brandishing his
+,.o front ones, furiously exclaiming,
mellow citizensi are we living in a free
country?
We of Savannah may well ask each
o+bsr the same question now. Let us eX-
anime the position.
IL will probably be agreed that under
the last administration all the ordinances
we're duly enforced, all the different de-
partments were conducted as well as
could be expected, and the city did very
well considering the depressed condition
Of external affairs. We labored under only
one onerous burden, and that was what
was regarded as excessive taxation. We
felt that we were taxed, if not already too
much. at least as much as we could pos
sibly stand.
The new administration goes in with
the avoWed purpose of conducting the
government on business principles, that is,
TO remove all unnecessary burdens, and
do all possible TO encourage further de-
velopment. As excessive taxation was alb
sOlutely our only drawback, we natur-
ally expected some relief in that direc-
ton. Instead of relief, what do we get?
necessary, when our needs would rather
suggest the abolition of a few old ones.
Instead Of making taxation easier, we
find the screws are only twisted tighter.
They pass ordinances which wouId be
regarded tyrannical in any European
country, and such as probably no Amer
Jean community has ever submitted to.
The ordnance that every citizen must
make a return of his personal property,
whether he has any or not or be liable
to go to jail, is, if enforced, an outrage
On American liberty
The author or promoter of this ordi-
nance is reported to have said, whether
II Is popular or not, is of no interest to
me-"
No Vanderbilt, in the palmiest DAYS of
sweeping plebian denunciation, ever soar
ed TO greater hight Nor was Mr.. VAN
der0ilt an alderman or holder of any po-
stlon by will of the people. The high
character of the gentleman credited with
the astounding speech, gives assurance
tHdI ne could not possibly have realized
we, we force OF ms words. 1t is no exaggera-
Won 10 say that the public generally is in
Oignaht ana eXasperated and if the peo-
ple lamely submit to such arbitrary dicta-
YQn tney are more long suffering than
lake them to be.
Undoubtedly the council would saw that
We onJect is only to reach those who ha-
mtualIy dodge legitimate taxation, but
ms complaint, if just, is by no means anv-
.ullg new. Nor is a citizen necessarily a
YAK dodger If he does not appear as a re-
turner OF real or personal property For
rtety one who lives in a rented house or
rents an office or store or deals with any
we VINO does, just as certainly paws his
proportion of taxes; frequently such a one
pdys proportionately more than those who
appear as largest tax payers
Does the administration realize what
tEey are doing? By excessive taxation. the
tApthses or living here have become ex-
lQrIlonate; labor is therefore by necessity
.lisuef IMAM at competing points and man.
1ldcluflng enterprises can ONLY Ianguish
agople ma 1t harder and harder to make
HHHlS mere; some have already given IN
III encouragement, feeling compelled IN
seeh elsewhere more propitious field. and
Olhefs VIII surely follow taxed ont of ex-
Questioned? -
;+S Cah we expect any influx of outside cap
tCal' 80 much needed to further devotion
our natural reSources2 to invest in orr
lands or real estate SO well worthy Of out-
sue investment under a rational admins
Idlloh OF affairs? to build us up or even
~ re US from retrograding on the high
way OF prosperity?
Without noticing the charge of re1axed
ellLoIcement of certain approved ordinan-
~ i IT, not clear that such oppressive
tuy44us Wlli result in lowering of public NOR.
any, oy INDUCING purjury, false returns
onu d Ieellng of eXasperated enmity
dSalhst the powers that be?
~ olhef words, is not the city govern
tle1l conducted on a plan we'll Calculated
o urIHe away men, money and morals? Ii
o ~ eIIIuehlaole that day by day the feeling
Ul evaporation grows more bitter, and is
IaPiaIy extending among those who aided
PutuIS IN power the clique now in such
and p ooI' control Of the affairs of the city
~ county. DO the members of council
iFluse 10 recognize this fact?
- oreu by nature as few places are IA
toLea, ana advanced by intelligent and pa.
49, r1ollc e1orts as we have been during the
80 several years, are we now to be forced
al 81 LcJfIriograqe by an injudicious and suicid
~ 0-f4C pOlcy! DemOcrituS