The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-25

to being taxed. would tolerate Federal.
State and municipal governments that
burden them with taxes 10 the extent
we now bear?
We snapped the Crown that imposed
our tax for a form OF government. whose
taxes are legion!
we have the tax direct and indirect
Federal. state. municipal upon realty.
personally, income and vocation. until
the burden has become almost intoicra-
bic and the small tax attempted 10 De
imposed upon MS 10y the mother coun-
try sinks into insignihcance by the side
of the burdens we now bear.
Has the PrOmetbeus Of paternallsm
stolen the fires of our resentment Have
we become callous Of this enCroachment
upon our libCrties2 The fathers OF the
republic denounced and opposed taxation.
Webster once said In Congress. we
are emphatically a taX-hating people
Washington. in his farewell address,
warns the nation against "the accumula-
ton OF lebt" he further states that tax
es are unpleasant and inconveuient
The opinion OF our Lawmakers seem 10
indicate that the merchant should bear
the greater burden OF the taxes and con-
tribute more largely TO the supper, Of
the state. city. and Federal governments
than any other class-this idea. this cus-
tom originally grew out Of the old Fed
eral system and obtained I'm the middle
agcs-the rule OF the world then was that
which Wordsworth gives to the McGres-
or:
"i5ecause the good ola rul,
suficeth them-the simple plain
That they should take who have the
power.
And they should keep who cam"
IN those days the Sovereign or King
granted unto the merchant or guilds.
certain privileges and prerogatves that
were monopolles; they were the collectors
Of the Kings revenues. the taxes were
paid through ard collected by these as-
soclations Of merchants.
The King gave the merchants entire
control Of the sale, 10 his subjects. or
certain articles. and for this privilege
the King demanded a heavy tax. which
the merchants added % the cost-price
OF the commodity he handled causing
the consumer IN tho end 90 pay the tax.
out OF this ancient custom seems % have
grown the idea that the merchant should
he moro burdcned with taxes than any
other class, profession, vocation, or bus
mess.
Under the Federal system this ala not
work 90 the prejudice or injury 81 The
guilds or merchants OF those days be-
cause he added 1t 10 his cost-price OF
goods he handled and made his custom
ers pay II; but the merchant Of to-day
has no royal road 10 success. he enjoys
no such privilege. nor is he hedged IN by
any such kingiy prerogatives. lie has
competition not only az home. but from
abroad. not only from his neighbOr but
from every city IN the country
When the present laws. taxing our mer-
chants. we're enacted, different conditions
existed-there were no interstate com
merclal laws. permitting statesmen. nm
taxed To come into his geographical ter
ritory ard select and sell the cream OF
MS trade.
Prior 10 the enactment Of the interstate
laws. no merchant could come 20 Rich
mond or any other city in virginia. from
Baltimore. New York. or elsewhere. and
sell goods 20 local trade without paying
special tax thus making them bear
In part the burdens OF our local govern
ments Whilst rcaping its benefits. the
imposition Of this tax was protection
70 the local merchant. and he was then
at some advantage over the foreign mer-
chant: but now, the local merchant has
10 bear the whole burden and see rs
competitor come 10 his door, pay no taxes
and undersel HIM
when the present tax laws went INTO
operation there was not that qu!ck tran
sit. by water steam. telegraph. and teie-
phone that now exsts-a revolution tAat
practically puts other cities at our doors
and makes them as much competitor
sor our local trade as merchants ~ our
city. The trade that was heretofore con-
trolled locally now goes 10 those favored
merchants.
Now. it must be apparent that tax
OF 81. 40. in addition 10 other taxes. on the
purchases Of our merchants, IS one that
he cannot afford 10 pay. and whilst We
DO no. attribute the many failures
AMONGST our merchants. In the past two
years. entirely TO these onerous taxes.
which they have been subjected 10. no
one conversant with the facts but Will
admit IL has been a serious and impor-
taut factor IN their failures, when ecu
pied with heavy specific licenses ard
taxes and the greater competition as