The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-09-29
THK Ass Policy AND mEAyN
TAXING CORPORATIONS


1t Is sasd to be a fact that the great
city OF Philadelphia has 10000 factories
OF various kinds Il is chiefly TO them
THAI IL ows It's great growth from de-
cade 10 decade. Il is farther stated to
be uue that the annuaI production OF
these factories is $500. ooo, 900 a year, and
thas each factory pays taxes Only on
it, real estate There is a lesson Of a
practical kind 1t this Philadelphia pro-
gress and its cause. The aim of fegis-
iarion in Pennsylvania IS not to Cypress
manufacturers. but To help and in
crease Tncr IS a middle ground here
IN taxation thar Is safer IN extremes,
a. IL SO far in almost al things. II is
not to Cypress by high taxes nor 10 re-
lieve them altogether from sharing in
h great and necessary burden OF tax
alton. Philadelphia seems to have got
into the middle way ~practically-to
compel factories TO pay taxes on real
estate, On their property. Ii is an un-
wise policy to seek to Cypress indus
tries as 1T is to intimidate them or
keep them from coming in. While the
south is a farming country and must
ever continue so, If it would thrive and
multiplying the many varieties Of in
dustry. We think it possible TO have
a false cry against corporations and
industries generally. We think 1t may
degenerate into sentimentality TO adj
vocate all freedom and no taxes for
the manufacturing and other industries.
Hostile legislation, b4ind-folded and
i~nveterate, may do much harm. when
it reats capital-home or foreign-as a
enemy to be fought, and to bee taxed
unjustly. Equality of taxation is fair
and reasonable to all.
The Birmingham News is printed in
a great manufacturing centre, and may
be partial to its friends, but it acts
broadly and wisely in this:
Every one knows the chief reason
why the north is rich and prosperous
today is on account of its corporations,
corporations to which the south pays
tribute.
IF we had great manufacturing con-
Germs here in this section of country
which turned our raw material into
finished product, great banking con-
Germs which would furnish none to
conduct operations of business on a
large scale, great insurance companies
which could take care of business, both
fire and life, how much better off we
would be! Millions Upon millions of
dollars which are sent north eve year
would in this way be kept ait home.
Tennessee alone sends out of the state
each year over 81, 500. 900 in insurance
premiums"
The Messenger is a fast, earnest
friend of the industries. 1t would re-
jOice i'm seeing a dozen cotton mills
here, and an hundred other rev indus
tries. 1t would invite, persuade, en-
courage all such enterprises. Whining
ton should be h~ospitabla to all corners
who seek to increase manufacturing
facilities. Invite capital, and do not
repress investors by too much taxa
ton. BE just ard fear not"
Charlotte has greatly p~rospered in
it's manufacturers. Other towns in the
state r prospecting also n growing
in population. Many cities and towns
in other southern states, from Rich
mond TO the Gulf are flourishing and
capital invests and laboTers increase
and prosperity gladdens. The News
says of it's own city:
"An sen oiment has been
created among certain classes that cor
poratfons are public enemies. The Biz
mingham district furnishes the best re-
futation of This idea. But for the Big
corporations, with their wealth and
brains, Birmingham would NOT be what
it is today. twenty-five furnace stacks
and scores Of other plants would not
be sending their smoke skyward. In
fact, the mineral wealth of his district
lay dormant until corporate capital
came here n developed it"
Encourage foreign capital. Help
home people to invest and thrive. Do
not let corporations be the masters, but
the npOn1Q and 1ar not tho nra,Ja Nm