The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-14
TAX ON BACHELORS.
Bill introduced in Trenton to Make
Single Men Pay So Yearly.

Trenton, Feb. 14-As sem blyman We'll
Ter introduced his bill to tax bachelors
this morning. Mr.. Weller is married.
Il am perfectly serious in my desire
to see this bill become a law" he de-
cIared. 1T is a highly moral bill and
will work for the best interests Of the
human race"
The bill taxes every unmarried man
in the state 81 a year, whether he lives
with his parents. or not 1t orders eve
ry tax assessor to make out a list of
the unmarried men in his district be-
tween May 80 and August 20 of each
year, and directs that all bachelors
shall make a trueH return to the asses
SOrS regarding their single condition.
1t so happens that some of the bright
est men in the state are bachelors, but
that is not the fault of Jerseys charm
ing women. After some joking about
this very important bill, Speaker Wat
kinS gravely referred it to the commit
tee on the state lunatic asylum. Speak
er Watkins has never known connubial
bliss. It is prOphesied with great GER
tainty that Governor Voorhees, will We
to the bill if it ever gets to him. The
governor is a bachelor.
The Introduction of the bill had one
effect. 1t was proved that Speaker
Watkins is not confirmed in his bach
elorhoOd. During the noon adjourn
ment today he and several bachelor
friends went to the State school and the
speaker made a speech to the brainy
and beautiful pupils.
1T is evident the argument is current
DacnelOGS encourage
matrimony," said the good looking
orator cloud cheers and shrin cries
1T will! 1t will!'O
Il for one don't intend to groan I'M
der the burdensOme tax" cried the
speaker, looking straight at a tall,
handsome girl with red hair. prolonged
cheers)
Il hope all my single constituents will
plunge at once into the sea of matri-
mOny," concluded the speaker.
If women could vote Speaker Wat
kins would be elected in a week to any
office in the peoples gift.
Opponents of the bill have found
precedent against the tax. Early in
1887 the petition of William McIlrOy,
Esq, was presented to the house, ask
ing: "A modification of existing laws
relative to taxes, in favor of single
men," The petition, which suggested
the repeal of the annual tax of 81 on
of three bachelors and two widOwers,
who, after long elaboration, reported
against the bill. They said:
THE tribe of bachelors labor under
many imputations, but your committee
has yet to learn that grave legislation
is to be made the implement for per-
petuating popular prejudice. The rail-
lery, which might grace a convfvial
board, becomes grOteSQue and incOn-
gruOus when it Obtrudes itself into the
sanctuary of justice"
Quoting from Lord Bacon's works,
the committee said. 1.-The best works,
and OF greatest merit for the public,
have proceeded from the unmarried
men, They are best friends, best mas
tiers, best servants leaving, the COM
mittee thought, little to be said of the
married men except perhaps they are
the best husbands.
In closing the committee considered
that humane legislation should not lay
burdens on the unfortunate.
In palliatiOn of the mfsdemeanOr all
are not guilty of celibacy of malice pre-
perse. Such legal legislation is a sur
vival of sumptuary provisions of the
ancientS or the blue laws of New Eng
land, and a disgrace to the state of
New Jersey"
The report served its purpose. Its hui
NOR and hard common sense was so ap-
parent that the act laying a tax upon
single men was soon repealed and has
never since appeared upon New Jer-
sey's statute books.