Evening journal., 1897-05-20
TAX BILL WENT OVER
After Being Discussed at
Length in the Senate.
SATISFACTORY TO PULLMAN

SENATE PASSES THE AMEND
MENT RELATING TO THE TAXA
TION. OF THAT CoMPANY-RE-
LIEF FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.
40.
Stan Correspondence Evening Journal.
Dover. May 2O.-Chairman Fenimore,
of the Senate Committee on Taxation,
reported favorably yesterday afternoon
the Adams bill taxing investments and
interest bearing gsecurities. He endeavor-
ed to get Senator Handy to vote for the
bill, but his efforts were unavailing.
Senator Handy expressed doubt as TO
the ability of the Levy Courts to levy
state tax. He said that when he was
living in Philadelphia he was a bor-
rover and always paid the tax. An
arbitrary Levy Court could make the
rate so high as to drive capital out OF
the state.
Mr.. Fenimore said that after borrow
ers became lenders they endeavOred to
take care OF themselves. He said that
Senator Handy had been posing as the
friend of the poor man during the ses-
sion but now he wason theside Of theric
man. The bill provided that a lender
who demanded the tax from the bor-
rover should forefeit his interest. SEN
ator Handy had evidently lost sight OF
the poor man. The bill was honorable,
Just, and in the interest OF the masses.
Mr. Handy declared the bill was un-
| constitutional, because It authorized
81 4lI
as a county tax. It would take a state
officer to collect the states tax on in
vestments There was not a farmer in
the state who paid dollar of state tax
directly. 1t was paid by the manufac-
turers. He reiterated his declaration
that Levy Courts could not levy the
state tax.
| Mr.. Fenimore said the bill was Just
and equitable and in the interest OF the
| laboring man who toiled. He said that
the manufacturers could not live with
out the patronage of the agriculturists,
and they paid the state tax indirectly
If not directly.
Mr.. Handy wanted to know what the
farmers would do if it were not for the
patronage of the cities. There were
two ends to the string.
Mr.. Pyle said it was a grave ques-
tion. The best men in all ages of the
worlds history had disagreed upon It.
AS regards the Levy Courts, he pre-
sumed the Legislature had power tc
authorize them to assess and collect the
states share of the taxes. He did mo-
apprehend any difficulty about It. Th'
/. bill provided that every person shall
pay in proportion to his ability to pay
because the government gave him pro
lection, and he should contribute to il
: support. Monied men had always en-
deavored to evade the payment OF th'
just share of taxation. They have
done il in all time and do it now. H'
quoted Walker on political economy tC
show that his contention was right. II,
thought it a fair honorable measure
= which would divorce the masses from
the classes. The system of taxation
had made tramps OF young men anS
J prostitutes OF young women. Nearly al
the burdens of taxation had fallen upol
labor and mostly upon the farmer, be
cause everything comes from the land
Men had piled up wealth and then de
i vised schemes to keep from payinl
e their fair share of taxation. The bill
: would restore the manhood OF the Della
Z ware people. The bill was so fair tha
r il needed no defence
Mr.. Handy said that the people O
s Kent county had political reform {
d their own satisfaction. He was not op
g posed to passing the bill for count
4 purposes, but he was opposed to tn
j. Levy Courts levying the state tax. II
Z wanted bill that would hold wate
y Get It right before passing it, On
d county may assess more and anothe
d less. He would like to see reform
a all matters in Delaware, including ta1
II alton
y Mr.. Pyle said that there was no NJ
y cessity for setting up another machi1
10 to collect the state tax. There wei
d too many machines now They ha
r been the damnation Of the country.
d Mr.. Alrichs asked that the bill
N laid over until to-day in order that
~ might inquire into the workings
II similar laws in other states. He VIZ
ie inclined to think that under the bi
~ the taxation in the three counts
e. would be unequal. 1t was an exper
es ment and hasty action was not advi
,s able.
= Senator Pyle seconded the motto
ry and it went over.
an AGAINST WAGON SALOONS.
ny Senator Handy introduced a bill
RS amend chapter AIS, volume IA, Laws
es Delaware, and 1t was referred.
n provisions add the following to G
~ chapter:
er But provided further, however, tn
a. no person licensed under this secti'
oi shall peddle, sell or deliver intoxica
NJ ing liquor upon any public street, allie
n road or highway of this state al
ss any person holding such license a.
ed so peddling, selling or delivering shi
les be guilty Of a misdemeanor and up
In conviction thereof shall forfeit a
ire pay fine OF not less than $50 and n
zee more than S100. or be imprisoned 4
lct more than sixty days nor less tn
his thirty days.
&c SATISFACTORY TO PULLMAN.
me The House bill to amend chapter
volume 10, Laws of Delaware, was
ported to the Senate by Mr. FenimS
J. with an amendment striking out all
co. fha opaoffnu qlQncp and insert