davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1896-10-25
FRANK G. FINLAYsoN

Amendment No. lin my opinion this
amendment. exempting mortgages from
taxation, should be adopted by the peo-
pie. The mortgage tax, like every other
the natural right of private contract.
not only fails to accomplish the object
aimed at but actually increases the
burden which its socialistic advocates
thought to remove from the shoulders
of the borrower.
Amendment No. 2-Amendment No. 2
should, believe be adopted. It is de-
tional hindrance to the Introduction of
the voting machine.
Amendment No. 3-The third amend
ment, limiting the liability of stockhold-
ers of corporations to theface value of
the shares of subscribed stock, should.
in my opinion, be defeated. The consti-
tuition as 1t now reads, provides that
each stockholder shall be liable for such
proportion Of all its debts incurred dur
ing the time he was a stockholder, as the
amount Of stock owned by him bears to
the whole Of the subscribed capital stock
and such liabilities continue even after
he has paid up the face value Of his
an end to all liability Of the stockholder
for the debts of the corporation after his
shares have been fully paid up. This
amendment might encourage the null
ttplication OF wildcat corporations, but
it would not tend to encourage the in
crease of legitimate associations. While
In law the relation between stockhold-
ers is not that of co-partners, yet, in the
final analysis, the relation between
them has many Of the attributes of a
partnership relation. Corporations are
merely associations of individuals
united for q special purpose, permitted
to do business under particular name,
and have a succession Of members with
out dissolution, but after all. this arti-
f1cial body is but the representative of
it's stockholders and exists mainly for
their benefit. It is governed and con-
trolled by them through the officers
whom they elect, and so long as stock
holders continue to receive benefits ac-
cruing to them as such, they should
continue proportionally liable for such
debts and obligations as are incurred
by their own agents. They have, direct
ly or indirectly, voice in the selection
Of these agents, the creditors and obli-
gees of the corporation have not and
therefore, II loss MUST fall on either
class, by reason of such debts or obliga-
tions, 1t should fal lon those, who, di-
rectly or indirectly, are responsible for
the selection of the agents by whom the
debts or obligations were incurred. This
Is not opposing corporations because
they are corporations--a favorite
but pernicious pastilne much In vogue
just ct present-it 10 simply holding COR
The herald., 1896-10-25
JUDGE A. NJ. STEVENS

My experience of sixteen years as a
lawyer in the preparation Of mort
cages leads me to regard the mort
gage tax as a great evil.
have drawn many hundreds of mort
cages under this law, and never drew
one without including at the instance of
the creditor a rate Of interest in addi-
tion to the net interest desired sufficient
to cover any tax upon the mortgage,
and there is generally added something
in the way of a margin to cover possible
increase in the rate Of taxation. I am
confident that the repeal of this clause
will result in cheaper money.
The double tax, that Is one upon the
mortgagor's interest in the land and the
other upon the morteagee's interest,
causes a great deal Of confusion and
trGble in the payment Of taxes-often
resulting in the sale Of one interest or
the other.
The herald., 1896-10-25
AN IMPORTANT WARNING

Editor Herald:-Much uneasiness in
the minds Of women desiring the adop-
tion Of the constitutional amendment
removing their political disabilities, has
been caused by the designation of that
amendment on the ballots to be used
on the Sd Of November, Assembly con-
stitutional amendment No. H." In the
governors proclamation in regard to
the amendments, published in newspa-
pers all over the state, he says 1t will
be designated Amendment No. six,"
and naturally the failure of the county
officers who prepared the ballots for
this county, to so designate it, gave
alarm. To relieve the frightened Of all
apprehension on the subject, / beg to
say that the matter has been submit
ted to, and carefully considered by,
number of the best lawyers In the
city, and all have expressed the opin-
ion that the ballots are in strict accord
ance with the law.
The governor, 1t seems, was mistaken,
and the erroneous description of the
amendment was, fortunately, not used
in the ballots.
The correct designation Of the suffrage
amendment is, Assembly constitution
al amendment No. H."
LULU PILE LITTLE,
Cor. Sec. Woman Suffrage Com.
The herald., 1896-10-25
"A. JAcoBY.

Abraham Jacoby was seen and ex-
pressed himself briefly. He Is In favor
Of repeating the mortgage tax law on the
ground that as 1t now stands no one Is
benefited and the borrower Is compelled
to pay a higher rate of interest than he
would be II the law did not exist BY
repeating the law the present rate Of in
terest will be lowered and at the same
time eastern capital will be attracted
to this country. 1t is at present kept out
by the uncertainty which threatens the
lender in not knowing what the mort
gage tax on his loan will be.
Mr.. Jacoby said he would not support
amendment No. g. regulating the liabil-
ity of stockholders. Stockholders should
be held personally liable for the debts
Of corporation not only to the extent
Of their shares in the corporation but to
the full extent Of Indebtedness of the in
corporation. This will prevent wildcat
speculation by corporations and protect
creditors generally. No opinion was ex-
pressed on the other amendments.
The herald., 1896-10-25
D1sARMED OF ITS rERRoRs

Malaria, that fell atmospheric poison, is
disarmed of its terrors, and health insured
to thousands residing where the noxious
exhalation periodically infects the air. and
endangers intermittent and remittent few
ers. by Hostetter's Stomach Bitters, the
most popular as it Is the best, OF preventa-
tives, alternatives and tonics. In number
less localities where the demand for sui
phate of quinine was formerly immense.
the hurtful alkaloid has been almost en-
tirely supplanted by this safe, popular and
effective substitute, which is prompt in
action and entirely unobjectionable. It
q more active impulse to every vital func-
tion. Quickening and enriching the blood,
overcoming 2 tendency to biliousness. and
promoting digestion.
The herald., 1896-10-25
M. W. coNKL1NG.


Six proposed amendments to our state
constitution are to be voted on at the
ensuing election. AS they are designated
on the official ballot by number only the
voter will be compelled to study them
beforehand and note the number.
Amendment No. provides for the re-
peal OF the tax on mortgages. Every
person who has ever borrowed money
on q mortgage knows that the person
who borrows the money pays the mort
gage tax and such persons require no
argument to induce them to vote for
this amendment. Independent Of what
experience has taught every person
possessing even the rudiments of the
science of political economy, knows that
4 tax on capital will always be paid uIti-
mately by the user and not by the owner.
y The tax on mortgages is a deception,
like all other forms of indirect taxation,
Amendment No. provides that cleo
ti0ns shall be by ballot, "or by such other
method as may be prescribed by law
!. provided that secrecy in voting be pre-
served" the part quoted has been by
this amendment added to the original
provision of the constitution. The OBJ
Ject OF this amendment Is to allow the
legislature to provide for voting by
means of machine should the machine
which has been invented prove to be all
that is claimed for 1t. II is said that
triachines have been Invented something
register In which the voter presses the
button labeled with the name Of the
candidate he desires to vote for when
the machine automatically locks itself
20 that NO other vote can be cast for that
pnice until the electiQn ofiicer outside
turns Z crank which II done when the
Voter leaves the booth. ~ The close Of
The herald., 1896-10-25
w. c. PATTERSON


I shall support amendment No for
the reason that the mortgage tax has
failed to benefit the people whom 1t was
intended to relieve. While money
lenders under the present law are obliged
to pay the taxes on mortgages, the rate
Of interest to the borrower is invariably
increased by enough to more than cover
the tax. For example: If the tax rate
is ~ per cent they add per cent to the
rate of interest to make themselves
perfectly safe" 1t is claimed that un-
der the amendment parties holding
perjury, be able to withhold from the
assessor some Of their assets This
doubtless is true, but the degree of
moral turpitude necessary to such q
proceeding would likely find some way
to assert itself, whether the amendment
passes or not.
I see no possible objection to amend
ment No. 2, the object Of which, pre-
sumo, Is to permit the use of ingenious
voting machines, which have been in
vented, and which are said to be abso-
lutte proof against the seductions Of un-
scrupulous manipulators.
Amendment No. has Its advantages
and disadvantages. Where the liabil-
ity of stockholders is limited to the
face value of their shares it will be cas-
Ter to organize stock companies for de-
velopment and other enterprises. It
would have the effect. however, Of les
sening the security of creditors
I am quite in accord with the provisions
of amendment No. 4, which, in my judg-
ment will create a uniformity Of organi-
zation, classification and management
of municipal corporations.
I am not sure that I comprehend
amendment No. 5 or the necessity for
such amendment. I shall, therefore.
probably follow the policy of friend
Of mine In congress, whose uniform GUS
tom was to vote mo- on every propo-
sitition he did not clearly understand.
AS to amendment No. 6, I have long
been Of the impression that the whole
system of suffrage should be remodelled
and based upon dual qualification of
intelligence and property, regardless of
sex. I am of the opinion still, and there
are grounds for the belief that the adop-
ton OF amendment No. will hasten the
desired result. While there are few
cobwebs, which, in my mind, have not
yet been brushed away from the doc
trine OF woman suffrage, yet none of its
opponents have as yet been able to con-
trovert the idea of equal Justice -
which Is very prominent factor in the
discussion of the subject It is difficult
for any respectable citizen to give a
satisfactory reason why his intelligent
and cultured wife or daughter should
not be as much entitled to have a part
In the affairs of the government as the
most ignorant loafer that walks the
street. I shall, therefore, probably SUM-
port the amendment.
w, c. PATTERSON
The herald., 1896-10-25
J. T. STEWARD,

]. 7. Steward granted an interview on
the subject of amendments. He had not
read over the published list closely and
was not prepared to express an opinion
on all of them. Regarding the mortgage
tax, however. he was well informed. and
dwelt upon the evils Of such q law ct
The herald., 1896-10-25

porations to those principles of justice
which the courts have laid down as
proper rules of conduct for individuals.
Amendment No. 4-The object of
amendment No. 4 is to exempt the NUM-
cipal affairs Of incorporated cities and
towns from the control Of general laws
passed by the legislature. This amned-
ment aims to enable each city and town
to have q system Of its own relative to
its own municipal affairs, without being
subject to or controlled by geaeral lNSvs,
and. as this would be a long step in the
direction of local self-government, this
amendment should be adopted.
Amendment No. 5-Amendment No.
provides that in all freeholders' char
ters 1t shall be competent to provide for
the government Of the police courts, of
boards Of police commissioners and of
boards of election, also for the times and
manner of election of police judges,
members Of boards Of education, of
boards of police commissioners and of
boards of election. This amendment,
like amendment No. 4, Is intended to con-
fer enlarged powers of local self-govern-
ment upon municipal corporations, and
in so far as 1t accomplishes the end
aimed at merits the support Of the elec-
tors.
The herald., 1896-10-25

ton Of silver, the destruction Of one-half
Of our money of redemption, the with
drawal from the people Of one-half Of
their circulation, was not and is not
greater folly, nor more injurious and en-
ervating to our body polite, than the
willful blindness of men in depriving
themselves of one-half of the brains
and three-fourths Of the morals of hu-
manity in fighting evil at the polls.
Those who oppose to woman suffrage a
belief in "a monarchy Of God, a democ
racy Of man, and an aristocracy of wo-
men," are simply captivated by q fine
phrase. AS to the future world, we
know nothing about its government. We
are cropping there in the domains of
faith. But, as to this world, we cannot
tolerate in these United States q de-
mocracy and an aristocracy any more
than we can tolerate democracy and
a plutocracy. If our sons are to be
Democrats, their mothers must be Dem
ocrats. If the dream Of Jefferson is ever
to be fulfilled, women must be classed as
people, and the government must be by
them and for them, as well as men.
The herald., 1896-10-25
HON. r. N. BULLA.

In response to your request for an ex-
preston of opinion as to the desira bility
OF the adoption of the proposed sixth
amendment to our state constitution, I
reply briefly, that am in favor of the
same for the following reasons:
First-Because consider the elective
franchise an abstract personal right to
which every intelligent individual of
proper age in our country Is entitled,
and not a mere privilege as ii is some-
times held to be.
Second-Because thousands Of women
therefore taxpayers, and the principle
of taxation without representation" is,
always has been, and always will be,
utterly repugnant to every true Ameri-
can sense of right and justice.
Third-Because under our present
laws the worst elements of our civiliza-
tion find expression through the ballot
and woman's suffrage would give the
best elements the same right and priv
ilege.
Fourth-Because 1t would add largely
to the decent, law-abiding voters of our
state, and would thus insure a larger
percentage of good and competent office
holders, which In turn would secure the
enactment of better laws and the better
administration of such laws.
Fifth-Because it would give women
that sense of responsibility and interest
in governmental affairs which every
citizen needs for his or her best and
highest progress and development and
would thus tend to lessen frivolity and
thoughtlessness among women.
Sixth-Because history has shown
that all other departments of human
thought and effort have received their
greatest benefit and impetus from the
cooperation of the sexes.
Seventh-Because the experiment has
been tried for more than quarter of a
century and proved complete success
The herald., 1896-10-25


solidated city and county governments
Accordingly, we want them firmly and
securely grounded in the constitution, IL
therefore. special legislation, by way oi
charters, is to continue, I am in favor
of this amendment. However, as / am
opposed to special legislation in gen.
eral, and to charters in particular, shall
vote against this amendment, in the
hope that amendment No. 4 will be
adopted. In that event the legislature
can supply all of the aforesaid defects
by a general municipal Incorporation
law.
Amendment No. 6: I am in favor o4
this amendment. Senator White Is III
favor of it. In fact, all the great orators
of this campaign, without regard to par
ty lines, have spoken in favor Of 1t. We
might as well move to make 1t unani-
nous, because there is no organized op
position to it, and 1t is sure to carry by
a big majority. 1t is no longer an ex-
pertinent. Three great states in the
heart Of the union have tried 1t and COM
mend 1t to their sister states. Wherever
1t has been tried 1t has resulted in les
sening crime, lowering taxes and purl-
flying elections. 1t is very common
practice In these states to hold primary
elections In private houses, where every
thing Is as decent and orderly as an af-
ternoon tea. Nobody has ever offered
indignity to q lady at the polls. Nobody
would dare to, because the husbands,
sons and brothers are there also. 1t is
not true that the demi- monde do the
voting there. The best women not onIy
turn out and vote, but those who have
carriages carry their less fortunate sis
ters to the polls. We stultify ourselves
when we favor equal rights to all and
special privileges to none, and then deny
the bauorto woman. The demonetixa-
The herald., 1896-10-25

In the heat Of the discussion Of the
vital and supreme issue of this campaign
many voters may have been prone to
overlook the Importance OF the proposed
six constitutional amendments on which
they will be called to vote next Tuesday
week. The Herald has discussed the
questions editorially and now presents
Q number of interviews on them, with
some of the leading lawyers and other
citizens of Los Angeles.
Richmond planet., 1896-09-19
Closing Exercise

AsBURT PARK, n. J., Sept. 8. '96
The second annual closing exercises
of the Students Literary Association
of Asbury Park took place Wednes-
day evening, September 2, '96 at 8
o'clock sharp. The exercises were
held at the Snow house, on Adams st.
W. P.
The exercises consisted of different
addresses; viz: The president of the
association, Mr.. r Dawson Brister,
Mr.. s q Johnson and Mr. s. Glascoe,
all of whom are of Howard University,
Washington, ID. c., and Mr.. Lee Wat
kins of the V. n. x G.. l., Petersburg,
Va, and Mr.. w. A. White. Mr.. Ha-
wood of Wayland Seminary. Washing
ton, ID @. Mr.. X. p. Keesee, of Way
land Seminary was master of ceremo.
nies.
Among those present were Misses
NJ. b. Borruss, Fannie Borruss, Nettie
Watts, Kittie Brown, - Dixon and
others.
This association was founded July
2, '95 by MIG. Harris, of Howard Uni
versity, Washington, d. G; Mr.
Church Hill, of Boston Law School
Mass. and by those named above.
The object of this association is tC
keep alive the literary spark that has
been iusiilled in the minds of the stu
dents of different schools who assem-
BILE here for their summer pleasure.
This association has done much fol
| those who have attended its meeting
but after all the participants of thil
association owe many thanks to Mr.
John Sharkley. who is the proprieto
of the Snow Hill House, as he CAV,
them the use of his parlor free o
charge and also delivered many in
teresting addresses, which inspire'
them to higher literary attainments.
Mr.. R DAWSON BRIsTER, Pres.
Miss VIRGINIA DIXON. Sec.
Richmond planet., 1896-09-19
THE NATIONAL GRAND LODGE OF
GOOD SAMARITAEs.
PRovrDENor. R. l Sept -. 'se.

Providence. r. Sept II, 'se.
The National Grand Lodge of Sa-
maritans OF the United States and
West Indies Island met in its 4Sth an
nual session in the state of Rhode
Island The Deputy Grand Sire Gr.
Samuel j. Brown, of New Haven,
Conn presided in the place of the Sire
Charles III. Marshall, OF the District OF
Columbia, deceased. Is Is needless t.
say that he filled the chair with cred it
tn himself as ne comes OF that famous
Yale College.
The first day was spent in appoint
ing committees The welcome adj
dress was delivered by MIR. Robert L.
Nickens, of Providence, and the re-
spOnse was made by Rev Washington,
of Washington. ID G. Both addresses
were well delivered and showed care
ful study on the part Of the speakers.
There were fourteen states repre-
sented The second day was spent in
hearing the national officers reports
The National Secretary's report show
ed that the order was growing and the
receipts were greater than they had
been for years. The third day was
spent in hearing the reports of differ
ent committees
The committee on Good of the Or
der, OF which representative q. Will
lam Moon of Virginia was one, recon-
mended that history of the order be
written and the proceeds go to the wild
proval of all. The remainder of the
time was spent in sight seeing. All
the places sf interest in and around
| Provid dence was visited
Prof j III Blackwell, Rev Mayo, os
North Carolina, and q William Moon
were the guest of Joseph III Monroe,
Esq. who, by-the-wsy, is one of our
1 finest lawyers. 1t is needless to say
that these gentlemen had an enjoya-
BILE time as all who know the lawyer
can testify to it. Prof. ] I'll. Blackwell
was invited to address the young la
dies high school of the city. Time
will not permit me to write concern
ing the banquet which was given in
honor of the Grand Lodge nor the in
Idefatigable efforts of the committee
on public comfort. but / would do
those concerned injustice and myself
also, if did not.
The hall, which is owned and con-
trolled by the colored people of the
city was packed on Thursday night
and on the stage was Browns Brass
Band that discoursed some choice and
sweet music. This entertainment
: was opened by an address from
/, Grand Chief Wesley, of Rhode island
and responded to by National Sire
Brown. The address of the evening
was delivered by Representative Q
William Moon, of Virginia.
To say that the house was capti
waited by the speaker would be onl,
n faint expression. He was introduc-
ed by that inimitable speaker, Rober
L. Nickens, who acted as master o
ceremonies for the occasion.
The grand march was led by Repre-
sentative s. r. Williams, of New Jer
e sey, accompanied by Mrs. Estell
Dancey of the same place. Never be
fore was grace displayed to better ad
vantage than by that couple. The
= were followed by Mr.. Q. Williar
Moon and Mrs Major, of Rhod
Island. All remained until the sma
hours of night and then went hom
with happy hearts
II The hospitality of Rhode Island car
K not be excelled, nor equaled unles
/. repeated.
Richmond planet., 1896-09-19
Knights of Honor.

Deputy Supreme Dictator, Shirly G
Williams instituted on July z, 1896,
Dumas Lodge, No IS, Knights of Hon
or of the World, with the following Of
ficers: Mack @. Jones, P. D., T. T.
Winston, Dictator; Willism NJ. Nash.
Vice Dictator; Dabney Elicit, Assis-
tant Dictator; William @. Johnson.
Reporter; ]. f. Trent, F. Reporter !;
Charles +. Weaver, Treasurer Lam
don Coleman, Chaplain w. L. Thomp-
son, Guide, Guide; Moses Perry, Sen
tinel, Harrison Reed, Guardian s. O..
Williams, r. ID. Young, John Braxton,
Trustees The above lodge was the
first instituted of color in Virginia.
Although the Knights of Honor now
stands at the head of all fraternal ben.
eficiary orders as the Oldest national
order, and is now one of the cheapest
and best; and tie safest for young
married men to invest their means iT
while they can get in this celebrated
order at one-half the regular fee.
| Dumas Lodge, No. 78 Knights of Hon
or OF the World meets at Rev. Gra
hams Hall, 2nd ST., 1st and Srd Tues
day.
S. C. WILLIAMS. D. s. D.